Bahrain tensions as US democracy representative expelled

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2006/May/middleeast_May227.xml§ion=middleeast&col=

MANAMA - Bahrain’s decision to expel the representative of a US-based pro-democracy organization from the country has triggered concerns over US-Bahrain relations prior to upcoming elections. The head of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) office in Manama, Fawzi Guleid, had been given till Friday to leave the country after his permit visa expired and the government refused to renew it.

Guleid would not comment on the decision but he reportedly began preparation to leave the country after being informed of the government’s decision.

The Bahrain Institute for Political Development (BIPD), formed by the government late last year, had demanded that NDI seek prior approval of contacts with Bahraini civic groups.

NDI, which promotes democracy worldwide and is affiliated with the US Democratic Party, was invited to Bahrain to help the nascent democratic transformation after the launch of reforms in 2001.


They must not want any of the USA style democracy they are witnessing in Iraq?

[Turbineguy]

1. Unfortunately,

since 2000 the United States has nothing to say when it comes to democracy. We could learn a thing or two however.

[Igel]

2. So dems have nothing to say when it comes to democracy?

Perhaps an official US government agency should be kicked out. In this case it's an NGO that's mostly with the Democratic Party, the chair is Albright.

http://www.ndi.org/about/bdadv/bdadv.asp

Don't know where the funding comes from; probably a mess of sponsors.

It may be a comment on the perception in the Gulf that the difference between * and the dems is trivial, or it may be taking advantage of the perception to get rid of a thorn in the Islamists' side.