Mar 99

November 11, 2005

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March 1999: Amir Dies on 6 March 1999AI urgent action

1 March: Amnesty International issued an Urgent Action stating “Shaikh Abd al-Amir Mansur al-Jamri has finally been put on trial, more than three years after his arrest. Bahraini law allows a maximum of three years’ detention of person suspected of “endangering state security”. “He appeared before the State Security Court on 21 February in Jaw, south-east of the capital al-Manama, on charges including incitement to violence and acts of sabotage. Defendants tried before the State Security Court have no right of appeal.”

CERD Meeting

1 March: The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) started its meeting in Geneva. CERD is charged with assessing the countries that signed the UN Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

The Bahraini government ratified CERD in 1990 but has never submitted any report in compliance with the requirements of the treaty. The UN Committee started its meeting and Bahrain has been added to the agenda for investigating the allegation of racial discrimination.

According to the official (unwritten) policy, Bahraini citizens are discriminated against on the basis of their ethnic origin, religious sect, and tribal affiliation. Bahrain is one of the countries where racism is rigorously implemented in all walks of life.

Baharin Bar Society

All government’s candidates were defeated in the election that took place in the beginning of March. The new executive committee comprises of Ali Al-Ayyobi (president), Salman Sahwan (deputy-president), Fareed Ghazi (cultural affairs), Mohammed Ahmad Amin (professional affairs), Radhi Al-Jabal (social affairs), Mohammed Eid Al-Hussaini (treasurer).

Bar Committee Letter

4 March: The Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales wrote to the Amir, the Interior and Justice Ministers saying, “the Committee respectfully requests that it be allowed to send an observer to attend the trial of Judge Al-Jamri. The Committee would be grateful to receive details of the place and date of the trial and the charges that have been brought against Judge Al-Jamri…. We look forward to your early response in order that we can proceed with arranging to send an observer.”

Dry Dock Prison Camp

5 March: The Dry-Dock prison camp, where more than 600 young people are detained, is witnessing a siege and campaign of torture by security forces. Many detainees have declared a hunger strike and are entering their second week. The interior ministry holds these hundreds of people without charges and many of them are unaware of the reason for their arrest in the first place.

The Dry-Dock prison camp comprises six corridors A, B, C, D, E, and F. Each corridor contains twelve cells. Most of the detainees are crowded in A, C, D and F. The cells in B are for solitary confinement. The torturers who brutally attacked and injured the detainees are Ali Al-Thani, Fawaz Hassan Isa, Mobarak Howail, Saqr Al-Nuaimi, Khalid Al-Fadalah, Isa Al-Rumeihi, Adel Al-Doseri, Abdul Salam, Ibrahim Bekhit (who plays in West Rifa’a Football Team), Ibrahim Al-Thawadi, Ibrahim Ahmad Isa, Nader Al-Doseri, Walid Al-Dewaisan, Ahmad Al-Huteimi, Khalid Ismail, Mohammed Al-Darraj, Khalifa Al-Doseri, and Salah (from Qalali). These torturers have been responsible for brutally torturing the youths detained in the prison camp. They have been given free and unaccountable authority to inflict pain and suffering on the people handed over to them for detention.

The widespread arrests of citizens have coincided with the news emerging from the Prison Camp at the Dry Dock in Hidd. Hundreds of detainees, most of them teenagers, are being ill-treated following a hunger strike by detainees demanding their release because either they have not been charged, or have completed their sentences but remain in jail. The detainees sent a letter explaining their ordeal saying: “We went on hunger strike protesting against the atrocities of the torturers such as Ali Mohammed Ali Al-Thani and Fahad Al-Fadalah. They have prevented us from receiving family-visits and have increased the degree of harassment and ill treatment. Some 350 of us have spent more than two yeas and nine months without charges. The torturer Ali Al-Thani promised to raise our cases to the higher authorities. He never fulfilled any of his promises. We started our hunger strike on 15 February with 28 prisoners. The following day, the number of striker rose to 360 detainees (out of a total of 495 detainees). The torturer Ali Al-Thani ordered an attack against us. He sent his mercenaries to kick us, punch us and threw us in trucks for torturing in the offices. On 20 and 21 February, the strike continued and as a result 25 of us were transferred to the solitary cells in Corridor B. These cells are without electricity and emit a rotten smell. One of the detainees (in the solitary cells), Hussein Al-Sheikh, started singing to pass time, and upon hearing him, the torturer Fahad Al-Fadalah, insulted him and ordered a torture session for him. Yousif, 18, from Sitra, fell unconscious and was found with blood on him in the toilets. Ali Abdul Hussain from Sitra was force-fed after a sever torture session.

Seminar in Denmark

5 March: The Denmark–based, Mediterranean Network for Human Rights “Lands Thingssalen Christiansborg” organised a seminar in the Danish Parliament about human rights in the Middle East, and Bahrain became the central theme for discussion. The president of the network, Mark Skadhbolsn, and two journalists, Tariq Zeyadeh and Prnihle Bramming addressed the seminar. The latter said that during her visit to Bahrain in 1996 she discovered how bad the human rights situation in Bahrain is. Mr. Zeyadeh described the deterioration in human rights and referred to the case of Sheikh Al-Jamri as a stark example of the deterioration of the political situation.

Amir Dies

6 March: Amir of Bahrain Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al-Khalifa died today. “We pay our condolences to the current emir for the death of his late father, and we hope the new emir will open a new page to reconcile with the Bahraini opposition,” said the Bahrain Freedom Movement.

A joint statement between the Bahrain Freedom Movement, the National Liberation Front and the Popular Front in Bahrain said: “the opposition forces, over the many past years, have indicated that their aim is to achieve development and progress for the country, that their agenda is based on legitimate popular demands, that they refuse any external intervention in the political affairs of the country, that they call for dialogue and that they are eager to contribute in the building of a modern civil society. Unfortunately the security forces have committed a gross mistake by attempting to address the political crises through the use of force. We reaffirm our support for all sincere attempts to open up the political process and to introduce reform through peaceful means.”

7 March: The Associate Press reported on from Bani Jamra (the home village of Sheikh Al-Jamri) saying, “the calm atmosphere was brought on by more than just mourning in Bani Jamrah and the nearby villages of Diraz, Sanabis and Karranah. There was a wait-and-see quality, as people wondered what the new emir, Sheik Hamad, would bring. Mansour al-Jamri, one of the leaders of the exiled Bahrain Freedom Movement and the son of an imprisoned dissident, urged the new emir to “open a new page, to reconcile with the Bahraini opposition.” Al-Jamri spoke from London but, in his home village of Bani Jamrah, a similar message was literally written on the wall.”We want a change,” read freshly sprayed shocking-red graffiti. “Parliament is the solution. Parliament with justice.” “Release the prisoners. Return the exiles. Those are our demands,” read other graffiti.”

Petrol Station on Fire

8 March : Arsonists set a petrol station on fire on Monday. The station is located near the village of Hellah. The Bahrain Freedom Movement condemns all forms of arson and violence and hopes that the new Amir will not be deterred from pursuing a reformist policy.

New Amir Speech

Reuters reported that Bahrain’s new emir Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa pledged on Saturday in his first speech since taking power to continue his father’s policies. “We will, God willing, extend the hands of friendship, support and cooperation to anyone who wants prosperity for Bahrain at home and abroad,” he said in a televised speech a week after his father Sheikh Isa bin Sulman al-Khalifa died.”I want to make it clear to you all, as a son of (Sheikh) Isa and a guardian of his legacy, I will continue his path which does not discriminate between the country’s citizens regardless of their origins or their religion,” he said. AP also covered the Amir’s speech.

Security Court

13 March: The day the new Amir addressed the nation, the State Security Court was convened for trying seven citizens: Seyed Hassan Ibrahim Mohammed, 20 years old, Carpenter; Hassan Mansoor Mohammed Ali, 18, Carpenter; Hassan Salman Mohammed Hassan, 19; Seyed Ibrahim Amin Mohammed, 19, Employee; Mohammed Salman Ibrahim Ali Al-Aali, 19, Labourer; Hussain Kadhem Ali Mohsin Nasser, 20; Faisal Abdul Shahid Habib Abdulla Salman, Student. International human rights and legal organisations have condemned this unconstitutional court.

Jaw Prisoners

22 March: More disturbing news are emerging from the crowded jails. Scores of detainees in Jaw prison have been transferred to solitary confinement and many have been denied family-visits. Amongst the citizens who are being ill-treated in Jaw are Seyyed Qassim Sharaf, and his brother Seyyed Mohammed Sharaf (from Daih), Ali Abdul Wahid, Salman al-Nashabah, Abdul Jalil Al-Nachas, and Seyyed Abdul Samad. Moreover, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Matar has been transferred to a solitary cell since 23 February.

Girls’ Schools Attacked

21 March: Security forces attacked two primary girls’ schools on 21 March. The security forces that stormed the classes savagely beat the children of both Shahrakkan and Bori schools. No clear reason has been reported. One of the girls in Sharakkan School stated that the young pupils were accused of picketing inside the schools. The parents of the girls were horrified to learn that their children had been subjected to a savage attack by the undisciplined foreign-staffed security forces. It is believed that these forces, which pledge loyalty to the “ancient regime” of the Prime Minister, are worried about losing their status in case the new Amir decides to adopt a reforming agenda. Several fires have also been reported in the past few days.

Disturbances

On 22 March, night-time, a big fire was reported in Tobli, while a car was set on fire in al-Khamis on 21 March. The opposition blames elements working for the security forces that benefit from enflaming the situation. On 24 March, another car was reportedly set on fire in Al-Hoora.

Forcible Exile

Mr. Abd Ali Al- Sarhan, 35, was prevented from entering his home country on 22 March. Mr. Sarhan works in Kuwait and returned for a vacation to visit his family in Bahrain. Upon his arrival, he was detained in the airport, subjected to ill-treatment and interrogation, before being forcibly-deported to Kuwait. The government of Bahrain is the only “national” government in the world that forcibly exiles its citizens while at the same it imports foreign mercenaries and grants them citizenship.

20 March: dawn raiders attacked the house of Hussain Ali Mansoor in Bilad al-Qadim and arrrested him. The dawn raiders damaged his belongings and confiscated his personal computer. He was subjected to a one-day torture session and was latter forced to walk from Al-Qala’a prison to his house in Bilad al-Qadim. He was threatened that if he used any form of transportation, he would be re-arrested and tortured.

21 March: It was reported that a Bahraini citizen was handed over by the Dubai authorities to the intelligence department in Bahrain. The torturer Adel Flaifel flew to Dubai and accompanied the citizen, Dr. Akber Zayer Ali Dashti back to Bahrain. Dr. Dashti has been living in the UAE for the past four years. There is no information about the reason for handing over Dr. Dashti, but the UAE had in the past handed several Bahrainis without notifying them of the reason for doing so.

UK arms exports

The British government published its annual report on arms export licences to foreign countries. Before it came to power, the Labour government has pledged not to issue arms export licences for sale to regimes that might use them for internal repression, human rights abuses or to prolong existing conflicts. It also vowed to follow a moral approach to the arms trade.

PANews said on 25 March that the report “voiced concern about exports of small arms to sensitive destinations in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, and countries with poor human rights records including Bahrain, Sri Lanka, Turkey and Zimbabwe.” The report said that “the government figures showed it signed 19 standard individual export licences for arms sales to Bahrain in its first eight months in power”.

By Mike Peacock LONDON, March 25 (Reuters) – Britain on Thursday released its first annual report on arms exports in line with the government’s pledge not to sell guns to regimes that may use them for repression. The report, signed by Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, Defence Secretary George Robertson and Trade Secretary Stephen Byers, set out the progress made on government pledges over arms sales in its first months in power. The Labour government has pledged not to issue arms export licences for sale to regimes that might use them for internal repression, human rights abuses or to prolong existing conflicts. It has also vowed to stop British companies exporting instruments of torture and landmines and backs a European Union code of conduct, adopted last year, to bring a more moral approach to the arms trade. The report detailed exports licenses granted by the government between May 1997, when it took power, and the end of that year. Charities and foreign policy experts were quick to praise the initiative although they said British arms sales to certain countries were still questionable. They also complained the report’s format meant it was impossible to tell exactly how many arms had been sold to individual countries nor what they were used for once delivered. The report did not provide comparisons with previous years. “This is an important step forward,” said Stewart Wallis, international director of Oxfam. “It allows the public and parliament to see for the first time just what sort of equipment Britain is exporting and to which countries it is going.” Pressure groups such as Saferworld say Britain still sells arms to countries with blemished human rights records. Saferworld director Paul Eavis said the report showed about a third of all export licences detailed were for equipment such as small arms, light weapons and ammunition.

“While most of these suppliers were to European and other allies, many also went to sensitive destinations in Africa, the Middle East and Asia,” he said.

“The committees should, therefore, raise questions about exports of small arms to countries with poor human rights records, such as Bahrain, Sri Lanka, Turkey and Zimbabwe.”

The government figures showed it signed 19 standard individual export licences for arms sales to Bahrain in its first eight months in power, 47 to Sri Lanka, 111 to Turkey and 30 to Zimbabwe. Human rights groups such as Amnesty International have been most critical of British arms sales to Indonesia, which they say is still committing human rights abuses in East Timor.

The report showed the government signed 40 export licenses to Indonesia by the end of 1997.

25 March 99 By Alison Little, Chief Political Correspondent, PA News Anti-arms trade campaigners and charities said tonight they feared the Government was still allowing the export of military equipment to countries with poor human rights records. They welcomed today’s publication of the Government’s first annual report to Parliament on arms export licences granted but they called for more detail. The report was published jointly by the Foreign Office, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Defence. Labour’s election manifesto committed it to increasing the transparency and accountability of decisions on arms export licences. Today’s report stressed the new criteria against which applications for export licenses were now judged, the introduction of a national ban on torture equipment and anti-personnel mines, and the agreement of a new EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports. The report covered licence decisions between May 2 and December 31, 1997, as well as actual exports of military equipment from the UK during the 1997 calendar year. A Foreign Office spokesman said: “This is the first annual report of its kind, the first time any British government has disclosed on a country by country basis anything like this level of detail of equipment licensed for export. “It puts us in the frontline of all arms exporting countries in terms of transparency and it responds to the manifesto commitment.” The Foreign Office spokesman said the Government would carefully consider organisations’ comments on the report. The report noted a licence was granted for the export of aircraft engine spares to Yugoslavia, as an exception to the arms embargo. The Foreign Office spokesman said the application was from a British firm to send spares there for engineering before re-import to Italy. “We considered whether there was any risk of this getting into military hands and concluded the risk was not there so we approved the licence and announced it. In the event, the licence was never used by the company.” David Bull, of Amnesty International, called for the public registration of each licence application before approval, and for new controls on arms deals involving UK companies where the equipment never touched UK soil. “A report covering transfers that have taken place more than a year ago can never substitute for the opportunity for Parliament and the public to scrutinise individual licence applications as and when they arise,” he said. “While the report is an important first step to increasing transparency in the export control system, a number of ambiguities and loopholes remain.” Oxfam said the report was an “important step forward” but hoped next year’s would show how many arms were sold and what they were going to be used for. Foreign Affairs think-tank Saferworld welcomed the report but also sought more detail, and an annual joint scrutiny by the Foreign, Defence, International Development and Trade Select Committees of arms exports.

It voiced concern about exports of small arms to sensitive destinations in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, and countries with poor human rights records including Bahrain, Sri Lanka, Turkey and Zimbabwe.

Campaign Against Arms Trade noted 101 licences were listed for exports to Turkey, including small arms, rifles and ammunition and helicopter parts. The group said that as Nato bombed Serbia for repressing ethnic Albanians in Kosovo, Turkey, whose army and police were “notorious for their human rights abuses”, had stepped up repression of Kurds. CAAT spokesman Rachel Harford said: “Turkish authorities use and will continue to use UK weapons to repress the Kurdish population. It is imperative that the UK Government acts decisively and implements a ban on arms sales now.” The group claimed British Aerospace subsidiary Heckler and Koch had been selected to supply the Turkish military with assault rifles in a deal involving the production in Turkey of 200,000 HK33 guns. The Foreign Office said applications for exports to Turkey were considered like any other, on a case by case basis. “We would not export equipment where we judged there was a clearly identifiable risk it would be used for internal repression or other misuse. “But Turkey has legitimate defence requirements. It is a Nato partner. It faces a significant domestic terrorist threat. “The situation regarding the Kurds and other human rights considerations are all taken into account.” He also stressed: “The Government isn’t going to export small arms to an internal security force of countries with a record of repression.” The report set out licences granted for export of equipment including aircraft machine gun spares to Indonesia, which is widely condemned by human rights organisations for brutal suppression in East Timor. Indonesia Human Rights Campaign TAPOL said actual deliveries in 1997 included 23 armoured combat vehicles and four Hawk aircraft and that licences granted by the Labour Government for Indonesia had risen to 92 by the end of 1998, with only seven refused. “British equipment has been used before to repress the people of Indonesia and East Timor and there is a grave danger that it will be used again,” said TAPOL’s Paul Barber. A Foreign Office source said today’s report showed campaigners’ previous allegations about what the UK was allowing out to Indonesia were wrong. He said applications were judged on whether equipment would be used for repression, but stressed: “There is no arms embargo against Indonesia. We never intended to impose arms embargoes through our new policy. We intended to ensure all licenses were considered on a case by case basis.” He said criteria also included the risk of re-export to countries under arms embargoes as the British American Security Information Council called for more detail of “UK brokering of arms through third countries, for example, arms from eastern Europe to countries such as Sierra Leone and Rwanda”.

MANAMA, March 29 (Reuters) – Two people died in a blaze that destroyed an antique store and an adjacent paper factory near the Bahraini capital, a newspaper reported on Monday. The English-language Gulf Daily News quoted a civil defence official as saying two bodies were pulled out of the antique warehouse. The warehouse owner said five labourers from India and Sri Lanka had been living on the premises. It was not immediately clear if they had been trapped in the blaze or had escaped it. The civil defence official said it was too early to determine the cause of the blaze, the

GULF DAILY NEWS: March 30 : The Bahraini authorities say a faulty electrical appliance was the likely cause of a fire that killed two Asian workers and destroyed two major Bahraini businesses on Monday.

Bahrain: Forcibly exiling a citizen; Security forces attack girls’ schools

Girls’ Schools attacked:

Security forces attacked two primary girls’ schools on 21 March. The security forces that stormed the classes savagely beat the children of both Shahrakkan and Bori schools. No clear reason has been reported. One of the girls in Sharakkan School stated that the young pupils were accused of picketing inside the schools. The parents of the girls were horrified to learn that their children had been subjected to a savage attack by the undisciplined foreign-staffed security forces.

It is believed that these forces, which pledge loyalty to the “ancient regime” of the Prime Minister, are worried about losing their status in case the new Amir decides to adopt a reforming agenda. Several fires have also been reported in the past few days. On 22 March, night-time, a big fire was reported in Tobli, while a car was set on fire in al-Khamis on 21 March. The opposition blames elements working for the security forces that benefit from enflaming the situation.

Mentioning a “taboo” subject in the press:

In a rare sign of a possible change in the political environment, one of the columnists was allowed to comment on the question of the dissolved parliament. Sawsan Al-Shaer wrote in Al-Ayyam on 23 March stating that the laws that are issued in the absence of the parliament may be considered “constitutional”. She then stated that the parliament (if it is ever re-convened) has the right to review all laws issued during its absence and to validate them. Although many would disagree with the interpretation of constitutionality, such comments are considered to be positive signs and the opposition hopes that the government would lift the strict censorship imposed on the media, so that all matters of concern to the citizens can be deliberated openly and rationally.

Bahrain Freedom Movement

25 March 1999

Fax: (44) 171 278 9089

Bahrain: Security forces aim to secure their status by unleashing a reign of terror

More disturbing news are emerging from the crowded jails. Scores of detainees in Jaw prison have been transferred to solitary confinement and many have been denied family-visits. Amongst the citizens who are being ill-treated in Jaw are Seyyed Qassim Sharaf, and his brother Seyyed Mohammed Sharaf (from Daih), Ali Abdul Wahid, Salman al-Nashabah, Abdul Jalil Al-Nachas, and Seyyed Abdul Samad. Moreover, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Matar has been transferred to a solitary cell since 23 February.

The ill-treatment of citizens in the crowded jails is becoming a phenomena. Reports speak of ill-treatment following the hunger strike in the prison camp located the Dry-Dock area of Hidd where some 500-600 citizens are crowded. Families of the ill-treated citizens have been denied any information about the health or injuries of their sons who had been brutalised by the torturer Ali Al-Thani and his staff.

Last week, Farooq Al-Ma’awdah, the police chief in Budaya Police Station deployed many of his units around the residential areas in north-west of Bahrain . These units conducted arbitrary beating and detentions. He also ordered his units to attack mosques in many areas in order to shut down the loud speakers.

Many people are questioning whether the new Amir will be able to restrain the repressive forces of the “ancient regime’. It is in the interest of these security forces, whose loyalty is retained for the ancient regime, to continue repressing the nation as their status depends on the use of sheer force against peaceful citizens.

Bahrain Freedom Movement

22 March 1999

Fax: (44) 171 278 9089

MANAMA, March 20
Bahrain-army : Bahraini emir names son as commander of armed forces

Bahrain: “Stagnant situation requires a decisive leadership”

Expectations of major changes in the stagnant political environment are being dampened following indications that the present Prime Minister will continue in his role. The political process has stagnated because of the lack of fresh policies under the “ancient regime”. The opposition hopes that the new Amir, Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, will be able to play a hands-on role in the internal affairs of the country. The previous Amir left all internal affairs in the hands of the Prime Minister who disregarded all calls for a political solution to the on-going internal crisis. The Bahraini people hope that the new Amir will not miss the exceptional opportunity available to him nowadays to steer the country out of the crisis.

A spokesperson for the BFM stated “we hope that the new reign will be a new page and begin to pay attention to the political and economic issues more wisely than before The biggest mistake that was committed in the past was regarding the political issue as a security issue. If the new rule can regard what took place in Bahrain during the past five years as a political issue that must be solved through a political solution instead of taking tough security measures, then we believe that the door would be open for an era of security, stability and growth in Bahrain because both the state and the Bahraini society need stability in order to overcome the looming economic crisis.”

“We went on hunger strike protesting against the atrocities of the torturers such as Ali Mohammed Ali Al-Thani and Fahad Al-Fadalah. They have prevented us from receiving family-visits and have increased the degree of harassment and ill treatment. Some 350 of us have spent more than two yeas and nine months without charges. The torturer Ali Al-Thani promised to raise our cases to the higher authorities. He never fulfilled any of his promises. We started our hunger strike on 15 February with 28 prisoners. The following day, the number of striker rose to 360 detainees (out of a total of 495 detainees). The torturer Ali Al-Thani ordered an attack against us. He sent his mercenaries to kick us, punch us and threw us in trucks for torturing in the offices. On 20 and 21 February, the strike continued and as a result 25 of us were transferred to the solitary cells in Corridor B. These cells are without electricity and emit a rotten smell. One of the detainees (in the solitary cells), Hussein Al-Sheikh, started singing to pass time, and upon hearing him, the torturer Fahad Al-Fadalah, insulted him and ordered a torture session for him. Yousif, 18, from Sitra, fell unconscious and was found with blood on him in the toilets. Ali Abdul Hussain from Sitra was force-fed after a sever torture session. Hussain Abbas, 19, Abdul Amir (from Sitra), Mohamed Jaffer (from Daih), Fadil Maatooq (from Nuaim), Yousif Al-Wazir from Aali, Ali Abdul Hussain Eid from Isa Town, Redha Abdulla Ali from Dair, Naser Al-Enserah from Sitra, Ahmad Juma from Iskan-Aali, Isa Yousif and Ali Ahmad from Ekr, Hussain Hassan and several others were amongst the worst to be tortured. We call on all human rights organisations to intervene and put an end to our ordeal.”

Bahrain Freedom Movement

18 March 1999

Fax: (44) 171 278 9089

“The Times”, Letters to the Editor, 16 Mar 99

From Alan Brooke

“ Sir, in his eulogy on the Amir of Bahrain (letter, March 12) the former British Ambassador, Sir, Roger Tomkys, omits some important qualities of this “ warm and sincere friend” of Britain. The US State Department describes Bahrain as “a hereditary emirate with few democratic institutions and political parties” (Bahrain Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 1998). It is a country where “the denial of the right of citizens to change their government: extra-judicial killings, torture, arbitrary arrest, incommunicado and prolonged detention; involuntary exile; infringement on citizens’ privacy rights…[and] limitations on or the denial of the right to a fair public trial” have led to the arrest and torture of hundreds of people.” Yours Sincerely, A. Brooke, 59 Magdale, Honley, Huddersfield HD7 2LX March 12.

U.S. offers 26 “AMRAAM” missiles to Bahrain 06:51 p.m Mar 15, 1999 Eastern

WASHINGTON, March 15 (Reuters) – The United States said on Monday it had formally offered to sell 26 sophisticated “AMRAAM” air-to-air missiles along with associated equipment and training to Bahrain for $110 million.

The package was offered to Bahrain by Defence Secretary William Cohen last

week during a visit to the Gulf but no specifics were given at the time. The AIM-120B Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) are built by Raytheon Co (RTN.N) and have a range of more than 50 miles 80 km. They can be fired and forgotten by pilots while they seek out approaching aircraft targets. In addition to the AMRAAMs, the package would include 50 missile launch rails for Bahrain’s F-16 fighter jets, missile containers, software, maintenance and pilot training. Cohen also offered to sell AMRAAMs to Saudi Arabia during his trip. He discussed the pending sale of such missiles and F-16 fighter jets to the United Arab Emirates during a stop there.

Bahrain: Mass arrests and court trial as the new Amir addresses the nation

The new Amir, Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, addressed the nation on 13 March for the first time since he assumed power following the death of his father on 6 March. In his televised address, he stated that he will “extend the hands of friendship, support and cooperation to anyone who wants prosperity for Bahrain at home and abroad,”. He went on to say “I want to make it clear to you all, as a son of Isa and a guardian of his legacy, I will continue his path which does not discriminate between the country’s citizens regardless of their origins or their religion”. A spokesperson for the BFM welcomed these statements and expressed hope that Bahrain’s future will not witness the mistakes of the past.

State Security Court resumes its operations:

However, events on the ground witnessed no change from past practice. On 13 March, the day the new Amir addressed the nation, the State Security Court was convened for trying seven citizens: Seyed Hassan Ibrahim Mohammed, 20 years old, Carpenter; Hassan Mansoor Mohammed Ali, 18, Carpenter; Hassan Salman Mohammed Hassan, 19; Seyed Ibrahim Amin Mohammed, 19, Employee; Mohammed Salman Ibrahim Ali Al-Aali, 19, Labourer; Hussain Kadhem Ali Mohsin Nasser, 20; Faisal Abdul Shahid Habib Abdulla Salman, Student. International human rights and legal organisations have condemned this unconstitutional court.

Detentions continued all over the country without stoppage:

On 6 March, the following person were arrested from Qadam: Abdul Amir Abdulla Ahmad Al-Mesbah, 40, Seyyed Abbas Salman, 24, Hussain Abdul Amir, 17, and Seyyed Salman, 55 (the man was beaten severely in his home before disappearing with the raiders), and Hussain Jasim, 17. All, except Hussain Jassim, were released after receiving sessions of torture.

On 7 March, the following were arrested in Arad: Mohammed Abdulla Al-Shamrookh, Mohammed Jaffer Al-Nasser, Mahdi Jaffer Al-Jabal, Abdulla Ali Al-Motawwa, Anwar Mohammed Al-Sagheer and Anwar Saeed.

On 8 March, the following were arrested from Muqsha’a: Samir Ahmad Habib, 28, Abdul Elah Abdul Jabbar Jumma, 26, Fadhil Abbas Abdul Aziz, 21. All were later released after intimidation.

On 10 March, the following people were arrested in Karranah: Khalil Ibrahim Jaffer, 18, Khalil Ibrahim Kadhem Meshaal, 18, Jaffer Ahmad Al-Bori, 16, Mohammed Jaffer Hablo, Abdul Redha Jaffer Hablo (two brothers), Ali Ibrahim Abdul Hussain, Mohsin Ibrahim Abdul Hussain, Mohammed Ibrahim Abdul Hussain (three brother), Yonis Hamdi Salman Al-Aswad, Seyyed Adnan Alawi Mohsin, Yousif Khalil Ibrahim, Abdul Amir Ibrahim Al-Basri, Jaffer Mirza Hassan Mubarak, Abdul Amir Radhi Ali Al-Aswad, Monir Radhi, Dawood Salman Ammar and Abdulla Ali Yateem.

From Abo-Saiba’a the following children were arrested: Seyyed Fadhil Mahdi Abdulla, 13, Hussain Ali Al-Sheikh, 15, Jaffer Ali Al-Sheikh, 14 (two brothers), Seyyed Saleh Mahdi Abdulla, 14, and Abdul Redha Jaffer Al-Zaki, 14.

On 12 March, following were arrested from Sar: Mohammed Jaffer Fardan, 22, Seyyed Mohammed Salman Ali, 21. From Daih the following were arrested: Hussain Makki Isa, 18, Ali Abdul Hussain Fakhar, 16, Ahamd Jassim Fakhar, 16, Shaker Saeed Al-Aradi, 16, Faisal Abdulla Fadhel, 16, Ahmad Abdulla Fadhel, 15 (two brothers), Mohsin Ali Al-Mo’athen, 15. All were taken to Adleyya police station.

Earlier on 28 February, the following were arrested from Aali: Ahmad Nasser Abdul Aziz, 17, Jaffer Mohammed Habib, 18, Yasin Hassan Yasin, 15, Abdul Amir Mohammed Ali, 22, Isam Mohammed Habib, 15, Abdul Nabi Ibrahim Habib, 20, Fadhel Mohsin Hassan, 15, Ibrahim Ali Hassan Al-Tabbakh, 15.

Bahrain Freedom Movement

14 March 1998

Fax: (44) 171 278 9089

13 Mar 99 MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — In his first address to the nation, the new leader of the Persian Gulf island of Bahrain pledged Saturday to follow his late father’s pro-Western policies. Sheik Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa took power earlier this month after the sudden death of his father, Sheik Isa, who ruled Bahrain for 38 years. The late sheik died March 6, shortly after meeting with Defense Secretary William Cohen. Bahrain is a key U.S. ally and hosts the regional base for the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet. “With God’s blessings, we shall pursue the approach established by the great, late leader,” Sheik Hamad said in a televised address. Sheik Hamad, who has led the military for the past three decades, said there will be no discrimination in Bahrain, regardless of a citizen’s “origin and creed.” Shiite Muslims, who form a slight majority of the island’s 600,000 citizens, have complained of discrimination by the ruling Sunni Muslim minority and have been waging a violent campaign for democratic reforms for the past four years. More than 40 people have been killed since the unrest began in December 1994. “We shall extend the hand of love, support and cooperation to all those who seek goodness for Bahrain, inside and outside the country, and we shall protect Bahrain against any harm by means of determination and sacrifices,” Sheik Hamad said. DUBAI, March 13 (Reuters) – Bahrain’s new emir Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa pledged on Saturday in his first speech since taking power to continue his father’s policies. “We will, God willing, extend the hands of friendship, support and cooperation to anyone who wants prosperity for Bahrain at home and abroad,” he said in a televised speech a week after his father Sheikh Isa bin Sulman al-Khalifa died. “I want to make it clear to you all, as a son of (Sheikh) Isa and a guardian of his legacy, I will continue his path which does not discriminate between the country’s citizens regardless of their origins or their religion,” he said. The island’s Shi’ite Moslem majority has been demanding political and economic reform from the governmment. Sporadic anti-government riots began in 1994 but abated in the past year. In London, Bahrain’s exiled opposition groups have called on the new emir to open a new page in the country’s domestic politics and urged dialogue to achieve the reforms. The emir said that Bahrain “only looks at their loyalty and true spirit of citizenship.” He added: “We remain determined to protect the country against any harm whatever the sacrifices.”

Sheikh Hamad, an army commander and crown prince since 1964, was sworn in as the new ruler to the Gulf Arab island state, the region’s banking hub, after Sheikh Isa died of a heart attack on March 6.

The Economist. 13-19 March 1999

Mourning, and questioning, in Bahrain

Manama What changes can be expected in Bahrain now that Sheikh Hamad Al Khalifa has succeeded his father, Sheikh Issa, who died on March 6th after ruling his tiny kingdom since independence in 1971? In foreign policy, probably none. Bahrain has allied itself firmly with America, whose Gulf fleet is based there. The new Amir studied at an American military academy. America’s defence secretary was the last foreigner to see Sheikh Issa alive and the first to commiserate with Sheikh Hammed. But domestically, with the Sunni ruling family trying to suppress calls for democracy, especially from the impoverished Shia Muslim suburbs around Manama, the future looks less predictable. Sheikh Issa, a cheery man, used to play good cop to the bad cop of his reviled brother, Sheikh Khalifa, the prime minister. Whenever Shia lads burnt tyres or scrawled anti -government graffiti, Sheikh Khalifa would call out riot police to round up- and often beat up- the miscreants, while Sheikh Issa busied himself with charming foreign visitors. Bahraini dissidents hope that the accession of Sheikh Hamad, who was rumoured to have quarrelled with his uncle, will lead to a less hardline policy. But the new ruler is no soft touch. He built up Bahrain’s armed forces from scratch, hiring mercenaries to quell internal dissent. In a book published in 1994, against a backdrop for calls for “barlaman”, the Arabised word for parliament, he inveighed against “imported ideas and practices…dangerous ideological imperialism which can only lead to chaos and ruin”.

On the other hand, the government policy of ignoring the protests while trying to improve standards of living seems untenable. The low oil price has hit Bahrain’s economy, forcing spending cuts. The trial of a prominent dissident, which could well provoke further unrest, has just begun. This week, angry youths set fire to a petrol station, despite calls from the London-based opposition to respect the five-day mourning period. Sheikh Hamad does not have much time to decide where he stands.

Dialogue Newsletter, March 1999

Bahrain: Sheikh Al-Jamri On Trial Sheikh Abdul Amir al-Jamri, who would be the leader of the opposition if the idea of opposition existed in Bahrain, was brought before the State Security Court in Jaw Prison at 11.00, 21 February 1999, after more than three years in custody. This distinguished former judge, member of the ill-fated Parliament of 1974-75 and religious leader, has committed no crime, but he has been uncompromising in his peaceful advocacy of the rights of the people. He demands the restoration of the Constitution and the Parliament, freedom of expression and the rule of law. He raises precisely the issues Robin Cook promised to address in his Mission Statement of May 1997, immediately after the Labour Government took office: “We shall work through our international forums and bilateral relationships to spread the values of human rights, civil liberties and democracy which we demand for ourselves”. Perhaps if we had done just that in Bahrain, this show trial would not have happened. The presiding judge before whom Sheikh al-Jamri appeared was Abdul Rahim bin Jabar al-Khalifa, a cousin of the Ruler,who was flanked by two Egyptian judges who are on two-year renewable contracts. These courts are not independent of the executive, violating a fundamental principle of the rule of law. They are seriously flawed in many other respects: the lawyers have no free access to defendants before trial, the judge can refuse to hear witnesses called for the defence, the proceedings are held in camera, and there is no right of appeal against either verdict or sentence. The State Security Court system has been condemned by legal authorities world wide. According to the US State Department “procedures in the security courts do not provide for even the most basic safeguards”. The proceedings against Sheikh al-Jamri were launched secretly, so that none of the international legal and human rights organisations which had asked to attend knew about them. These included the International Commission of Jurists, the International Bar Association, the Arab Organisation for Human Rights, the Arab Commission for Human Rights, the Bar Human Rights Committee, the Organisation Mondial contre la Torture, the Fédération Internationale pour la Défense des Droits de l’Homme, and International PEN, Interfaith International and the UK Parliamentary Human Rights Group amongst others. Even the UK and US Ambassadors were unaware that the trial was going ahead, until they were tipped off from abroad less than a day eforehand. Perhaps if the authorities had managed to prevent the news getting out, the whole trial would have been finished in one day and Sheikh al-Jamri sentenced. As it was, the court adjourned, to a date not announced, and it will no doubt again be convened suddenly without notice, so that no observers can attend. On 21 February, only Sheikh al-Jamri’s lawyer, Abdul Shahid Khalaf and members of the family were present. Mr Khalaf saw his client one hour before the trial opened and this was the first consultation between them. The defence want other lawyers to be appointed, who had said previously they were prepared to act: Rashid al-Jar, Hassan Radhi, Abdullah Hashem and Ahmed al-Shamlan. It is essential that Sheikh al-Jamri is properly represented by a team because he is charged with responsibility for all the disorders and sabotage since December 1994, even though for most of that time he has been in custody: from April 1 to September 25, 1995, and from January 20, 1996 to the present day. For the first ten months of his present incarceration, he was held incommunicado. Presumably he sent his orders to the rioters by telepathy. Last March and April Sheikh al-Jamri was tortured and threatened for six weeks to force him into signing a confession. He was ill-treated while being interrogated by a team of security men under bright lights, was prevented from sleeping, and was told that his wife would be raped if he would not sign pre-prepared confessions. He refused to do so when taken before an examining magistrate. Over this period, he lost 6 kg, until finally the Red Cross intervened and the security forces gave up. In court, on 21 February, Sheikh al-Jamri pleaded not guilty, declared that he had nothing to do with sabotage or disorder, said that none of the so-called evidence implicated him, and repeated his demands for the restoration of the Parliament closed down by the Ruler in 1975, of which he was of course a distinguished Member. In fact, he should have enjoyed immunity as an MP, unless the Parliament had agreed to lift it, and as a former Judge and senior religious leader. None of the formalities required for the lifting of his threefold immunity were observed. The proceedings were filmed, unusually, for what purpose is not known. The lawyer asked for bail, but the court refused to grant it. The international community, and particularly Britain, France and the US whose influence in Bahrain might have some effect, should protest vigorously against holding such an important trial in camera, and against the use of the discredited State Security Courts, which have been widely criticised as violating a number of internationally accepted judicial norms. The UN Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, Mr Param Coomaraswamy, who says there is a lack of due process in these courts, should also intercede with the authorities in Bahrain to halt this trial and release Sheikh al-Jamri. In Britain, as the 350th anniversary of the execution of Charles I is commemorated this year, we recognise the folly of absolute rulers who confront the representatives of the popular will. It would be wise and statesmanlike for the Ruler of Bahrain to heed the lessons of history, and enter into discussions with the Committee for Popular Petition – the de facto opposition in a country where no legal opposition is allowed – to find ways of uniting the people in a programme of moderate reform. The restoration of the Constitution and of the partially elected Parliament, the adoption of the rule of law, and the introduction of legal guarantees of freedom of expression as in neighbouring Qatar, will ensure that Bahrain advances by evolution, not revolution. Lord Avebury

Vice-Chair of the UK Parliamentary Human Rights Group

Date: 9 Mar 1999 21:41:43 GMT OPEN MESSAGE TO HIS EXCELLENCY PRINCE OF BAHRAIN Arab Program For Human Rights Activists – Cairo expressed his deep anxiety for news received about Sheikh Al Jamri`s trial which started in February,21st ,1999 and the surroundings around his case , also for the secrecy performances before the trial . Arab Program For Human Rights Activists indicate to the form of the for included Sheikh Abdel El Rhman Bin Gaber Al Khaleifa (one of the princess family members in Bahrain ) of course this give a sense that there is no neutrality in this trial . Highness Prince .. Furthermore , Sheikh Al Jamri was arrested since 1995 till September 1995 and he was released without any accusation against him , also he was arrested for the second time in January 1996 till now after his campaign against the Bahrain government to return parliament life in Bahrain and calling for taking a reformative step in political and economic situation in Bahrain ,also he stayed for years with no any accusation against him till the government authorities sent him to the court to face accusations . One day Sheikh Al Jamri was a member of Bahrain Parliament which cancelled in 1975 . Highness Prince : We (signed below) , feel worry about sheikh el Jamri trial in this way and these accusations he faced , specially we believe that he did nothing except he struggled and called for his rights (see article 19 of Universal Declaration on Human Rights ) . Highness prince : All of us , now we are not calling for a honest trial for Sheikh Al Jamri , for we believed he do nothing and he didn’t commit a crime make him stand in front of a court , but we call you to release him immediately and give him back all his rights and drop all accusations against him . With Kind Regards .. Signatures : 1- Organization Of Human rights in Bahrain . 2- Arab Commission For Human Rights . 3- Al Dameir For Human Rights – Palestine . 4- Yemeni Human Rights Organization 5- Algerian Association For Human Rights 6- Sudan Human Rights Organization- Cairo 7- Legal Aid Centre for Human Rightas-Cairo 8- Egyptian Human Rights Organization 9- Prisoners Aid For Human Rights- Cairo . 10- Earth Centre For Human Rights – Cairo . 11- Sudanese group for tortures victim 12- Arab Centre for Legal and Judical independence . 13-Arab Institution for International Relations. 14- Lara Khaitan – Jordon 15-Arab Program for Human Rights Activists – Egypt . 16- Arab Program For Human Rights Activists – Sudan . 17- Mohamed Mandour – Health Rights Asociation

Bahrain: Opposition hopes the new Amir will abandon the “ancient regime”

The new Amir will address the nation on 12 March for the first time. It is expected that he will reaffirm the line of his father and will thank all those who had offered their condolences. He is expected to renew Bahrain’s commitment to the GCC, and to the defence and security agreements with the GCC and other friendly countries. The opposition hopes Sheikh Hamad will take a daring step and will undertake a new policy adopting a reformist approach for solving the internal political crisis, which is not of his own making.

The Dow Jones News agency said on 9 March that Mr. Ali Qassim Rabi’a (member of the Committee for Popular Petition) hopes that “ the accession of Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa after the death of his father Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Saturday, will bring a loosing up of the political situation in Bahrain, including the release of political prisoners and a return to constitutional rule.” It said “the opposition will write to the country’s new ruler in days, seeking negotiations.”

Bahrain’s new Amir appointed his son as crown prince on 9 March. The crown prince swore by referring to the constitution of the country and a decree regulating the appointment of heir apparent. The meeting was held in Rifa’a Palace and was attended by the new Amir, Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa and Sheikh Mohammed bin Salman Al-Khalifa, the late Amir’s younger brother. The reappearance of Sheikh Mohammed has been noted as an indication by the new Amir of his intention to balance the powers of the Prime Minister. Sheikh Mohammed was forced out of the ruling establishment in the mid sixties by the Prime Minister.

A day before the appointment of the crown prince, the new Amir, Sheikh Hamad, together with the Prime Minister and Sheikh Mohammed, received Police and Public Security Officers, who offered their condolences on the death of the late Amir. “They also renewed their allegiance and loyalty to His Highness the Amir”, local papers reported.

The U.S.-educated crown prince, Sheikh Salman, is viewed by some political circles as a an open-minder person whose education in the West helped to shape his political thinking. The opposition hopes that he can influence the situation and assist in salvaging the political situation, which has been mishandled by the “ancient regime” of the Prime Minister.

The Bahraini people have been watching the political development in Qatar with great interests. It was Bahrain that witnessed the first municipal elections in 1919, eighty years ago. It is Bahrain that is trailing now behind Qatar. On 9 March, Qataris have elected an all-male municipal council, where five women have lost in the election. Twenty-nine men won seats on the central municipal council. “Women did not fail, but won their right to vote and to run as candidates on equal par with men,” said Colonel Ali Sultan Al-Kawari, an official from the committee overseeing Monday’s polls. Martin Asser of the BBC commented “conventional wisdom holds that any move towards democratisation in one state is frowned upon by the others. … Other Gulf States tend to have toothless “shura” councils, consultative bodies of compliant appointees who discuss a limited range of domestic issues of the day.”

The International Secretariat of OMCT issued an urgent intervention expressing concern about the physical and psychological integrity of at least 54 people from Bahrain. Among them, 19 minors between the ages of 12 and 17, were allegedly arrested in further waves of arrests and house-raids in several areas of Bahrain during the month of February 1999. It is feared that some of the detainees may have been subjected to torture. These arrests are part of an ongoing campaign of intimidation that includes arbitrary detentions and torture”.

On 5 March, the Denmark–based, Mediterranean Network for Human Rights “Lands Thingssalen Christiansborg” organised a seminar in the Danish Parliament about human rights in the Middle East, and Bahrain became the central theme for discussion. The president of the network, Mark Skadhbolsn, and two journalists, Tariq Zeyadeh and Prnihle Bramming addressed the seminar. The latter said that during her visit to Bahrain in 1996 she discovered how bad the human rights situation in Bahrain is. Mr. Zeyadeh described the deterioration in human rights and referred to the case of Sheikh Al-Jamri as a stark example of the deterioration of the political situation.

Towards the end of February the following children were arrested: Mohammed Ahmad Fardan, 14 (from Jerdab, whose 18-year brother Hashim is in detention for more than a year), and AIi Al-Jabal, 13 (Isa Town). Ali Akbar, 22, from Isa Town was also arrested on 27 February. Gharib Ahmad Ali, 26, from Hajar was arrested during a dawn raid against his house in the beginning of March.

Bahrain Freedom Movement

11 March 1999

Fax: (44) 171 278 9089

Media anticipation of the new Amir

26 March: The Middle East International published an article by the journalist Simon Taggart, titled “Waiting on the Amir”. The article described how the opposition met the death of the Amir of Bahrain with calculated move of calming down the situation which “denied the security forces an excuse for increased repression during the hiatus in government and to provide an atmosphere conducive to negotiation”. The calls were successful and well observed said the Mr. Taggart. He said that a delegation of the Committee for Popular Petition (CPP) visited the Palace to offer condolences and would approach the new Amir, Sheikh Hamad, seeking dialogue. He quoted Dr. Saeed Al Shehabi of BFM saying that “ the call for calm after a week of protest in support of the jailed popular cleric, Sheikh Al-Jamri, was a sign of goodwill towards Amir Hamad in the hope that he would realise the importance of popular participation in running the country.

”

13 March 99 MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — In his first address to the nation, the new leader of the Persian Gulf island of Bahrain pledged Saturday to follow his late father’s pro-Western policies. Sheik Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa took power earlier this month after the sudden death of his father, Sheik Isa, who ruled Bahrain for 38 years. The late sheik died March 6, shortly after meeting with Defense Secretary William Cohen. Bahrain is a key U.S. ally and hosts the regional base for the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet. “With God’s blessings, we shall pursue the approach established by the great, late leader,” Sheik Hamad said in a televised address. Sheik Hamad, who has led the military for the past three decades, said there will be no discrimination in Bahrain, regardless of a citizen’s “origin and creed.” Shiite Muslims, who form a slight majority of the island’s 600,000 citizens, have complained of discrimination by the ruling Sunni Muslim minority and have been waging a violent campaign for democratic reforms for the past four years. More than 40 people have been killed since the unrest began in December 1994. “We shall extend the hand of love, support and cooperation to all those who seek goodness for Bahrain, inside and outside the country, and we shall protect Bahrain against any harm by means of determination and sacrifices,” Sheik Hamad said.

9 March 1999: (London – Dow Jones): “Oppositionists in Bahrain seeking restitution of a national assembly will write to the country’s new ruler in days, seeking negotiations, as leading campaigner told dow Jones.”

Ali Qassim Rabia said the opposition hopes the accession of Sheik Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa after the death of his father Sheik Isa Al Khalifa Saturday, will bring a loosening up of the political situation in Bahrain, including the release of political prisoners and a return to constitutional rule. Parts of the constitution were suspended in 1975.

There has been a concerted campaign to have the national assembly restored since 1994 when the opposition began a mass petition. The government has refused opposition demands and the last five years have seen street protests, large-scale arrests, and accusations of security force brutality.

After Sheik Isa’s death was announced opposition campaigners called for a halt to protest, saying they wanted to create a climate suitable for negotiations.

Opposition figures outside of Bahrain said the development of relations between Sheik Hamad and his uncle Sheik Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, prime minister and day- to- day ruler since 1971 will be an important factor in Bahriani politics in the coming period.

They also said the Bahraini ruling family faces pressure form two directions. Political reform is taking place in nearby Qatar and in Iran, adding to the pressure of local demands, but Saudi Arabia, Bahrain’s key ally and benefactor, is seen as unwilling to countenance major change.

Financial Times, 8 March 99

Sheikh Hamad takes over as Bahrain’s ruler By Robin Allen, Gulf Correspondent

Sheikh Isa Bin Sulman Al-Khalifa, the –year-old ruler of the tiny but strategically important Gulf state of Bahrain, died suddenly of heart attack on Sunday.

Sheikh Isa’s 49-year old eldest son Sheikh Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa, the crown prince and heir apparent since 1964, immediately succeeded him.Sheikh Hamad inherits an island-state full of contradictions: one with an open attitude to western social behavior coupled with absolute political autocracy, blanked censorship and a fawning press; a notionally free market economy where power nevertheless monopolised by the ruling family and its nominees; and a notion-state which, according
to one senior western diplomat, has the obsessive pride of a self-consciously small independent state which nevertheless still relies on a former British colonial policeman to run its security apparatus.

The Al-Khalifa ruling family belongs to the main stream Sunni sect of Islam, to which only 30per cent of Bahrain’s national population adhere. The family holds half the cabinet posts and its members chair most public sector organisation.Sheikh Hamad is commander of Bahrain’s defence forces, which include an 8,000-strong army and a force of special forces made up of Bahraini Sunni officers and Sunni police from Jordan, Yemen and Pakistan whose brutality is feared and loathed by Shia villagers.

Internationally, Sheikh Hamad is expected to maintain Bahrain’s traditional links with the west, and the US in particular. Bahrain staunchly supported the US-led coalition, which ousted Iraq from Kuwait in the 1990/91 Gulf war. The US has had a naval station in Bahrain since 1948 and it is now the headquarters of the US navy’s Fifth Fleet in the Gulf. The domestic political scene is more complicated and, according to US analysts, much more problematic. Recent low oil prices and rising budget deficits among all Gulf oil producers have hurt Bahrain, more than half of whose revenues come from gifts of Saudi crude and cash and handouts from Kuwait and Abu Dhabi. Despite these gifts, Bahrain’s 1999/2000 two-year budget predicts a deficit 113 per sent higher than that of 1997/98.The fulcrum of Sheikh Isa’s policy to attract investments was maintenance of stability. On the one hand that meant close relations with archconservative Saudi Arabia, sealed by the 1986 completion of

25km causeway linking Bahrain with the Saudi mainland. And with Saudi encouragement, Sheikh Isa kept a tight control of power, dissolving the national assembly in 1976 and stamping out all forms of dissent. But maintaining domestic stability also required specking softly with big stick to a large, and growing, majority who felt disenfranchised and who he intended should remain so.

Sheikh Isa had this gift. But senior western diplomats and US analysts say it remains to be seen whether it is shared by his son, who is however regarded as equally obdurate. In recent years Sheikh Isa left many aspects of government to his brother, the Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa, whose repressive policies have been notable since December 1994, when reform, movements swept the island and violent dissent broke out in many villages.Sheikh Hamad is expected, at the time being at least, to keep Sheikh Khalifa on as Prime Minister, despite a bitter and well-publicized rivalry going back many years.According to senior US analysts, the combination could provoke considerable nervousness among Bahrain’s Shia majority community.

It is an unfortunate coincidence, they add, that the government should now be putting on trial, after three years in detention, the Shias’ public hero and opposition activist leader Abdul Amir Al-Jimri.It is a trail, which could spark renewed unrest. Bahrainis are not the only people with anxious eye on the next few months.

The Qataris, partners in the club of the Gulf Arab monarchs, will according to a senior western diplomat, be watching developments closely. Sheikh Hamad in 1996 publicly rejected an offer by Qatar to use unemployed Bahraini workmen to work on a causeway to link the two countries, to carry the cost of the entire project, and to pay for the joint exploitation of possible gas reserves in territory disputed between the two.He has ruled out any compromise settlement with Qatar, whose ruler also called Sheikh Hamad, and people are now hoping that the new Bahraini emir will mellow rapidly with the complexities of office.
Robin Allen.

9 March: MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — The emir of Bahrain named the eldest of his eight sons, Sheik Salman, as crown prince Tuesday of the tiny Persian Gulf island. Sheik Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa became the ruler on Saturday after the sudden death of his father, Sheik Isa. Bahrain is a key U.S. Gulf ally and hosts the headquarters of the 5th Fleet. Sheik Salman was formally named to the post at a meeting of the Cabinet. The 29-year-old crown prince is undersecretary of defense and chairman of the Bahrain Center for Studies and Research. He speaks English and is a graduate of the American University in Washington D.C. and Cambridge University. Sheik Salman is married and has three children. He collects sports cars and has been seen in central Manama driving his McLaren F-1. The single-seat car costs about $1 million. Sheik Hamad has pledged to continue the pro-Western policies of Bahrain, which is a main financial center in the Gulf.

The U.N. flag flew at half-staff Tuesday in observance of the emir’s death. Secretary-General Kofi Annan also signed a book of condolences at Bahrain’s U.N. mission.

MANAMA, March 9 (Reuters) – Bahrain’s new Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa on Tuesday appointed his son Sheikh Salman as Crown Prince, the official Gulf News Agency reported. The decree on the appointment was the first by the new emir after his 66-year-old father, Sheikh Isa bin Sulman al-Khalifa, died of a heart attack on Saturday.Sheikh Salman was sworn in before an emergency cabinet meeting held at the Riffa palace, south of the capital Manama, on Tuesday, the agency said. Attending the meeting were Sheikh Hamad, Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Sulman al-Khalifa and Sheikh Mohammed bin Sulman al-Khalifa, the late emir’s younger brother.

By Kedar Sharma DOHA, March 9 (Reuters) – Qataris have elected an all-male municipal council in the Gulf Arab state, rejecting six women candidates in a rare experiment in democracy in the monarchy-ruled region. An official announcement early on Tuesday named the 29 men who won seats on the central municipal council — mostly civil servants apparently elected on tribal lines. “Women did not fail, but won their right…to vote and to run as candidtaes on equal par with men,” said Colonel Ali Sultan al-Kawari, an official from the committee overseeing Monday’s polls. He was addressing an early morning news conference announcing the results, which saw some prominent Qataris lose, including former cabinet ministers. The central municipal council has limited powers and must pass recommendations to the minister of municipal affairs and agriculture who may accept or reject them. Kawari said Monday’s polls were trouble-free, adding that Qataris could start filing objections to the results from Tuesday. Thousands of Qataris queued for hours at polling stations on Monday to vote for representatives to the council which will advise on civic affairs of all local bodies in Qatar. Women voters turned up in greater numbers than men at many constituencies in Doha, one official said. Oil and gas-rich Qatar is a political maverick in a conservative region and has an outspoken government. The Qatari Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, has said that people’s participation in the affairs of the state can accelerate the economic and social development of the region. Sheikh Hamad has set up a committee to draft a permanent constitution with the task of forming a national parliament and promised parliamentary elections in the near future. Around 248 candidates, including six women, were running for 29 seats from different constituencies, including the disputed northwestern town of Zubarah, held by Qatar but claimed by Bahrain, and Hawar islands, held by Manama but claimed by Doha. All Qatari citizens over 18 years of age, including women, out of a native population of 150,000 were eligible to vote. Officials said 22,000 had registered. Polling officials said there was a 95 percent turnout in the capital Doha and an estimated 75 percent in rural areas.

Tuesday, March 9, 1999 Published at 12:22 GMT Analysis: Gulf democracy gets boost Novel experience of election campaign in Qatar By BBC News Online’s Martin Asser Few people associate the Gulf states with democratic representation or popular participation in government.

The Gulf’s absolute rulers tend to be the same ones installed by the British at independence in the 1970s, unless they have died or been deposed by their sons.

Conventional wisdom holds that any move towards democratisation in one state is frowned upon by the others. In Bahrain for example, if there were any willingness among the Al-Khalifa rulers to restore the parliament, which is doubtful, Saudi Arabia would veto it, for fear democracy could cross the causeway linking the tiny island and its giant neighbour. The aims of Qatar’s self-styled democratisation programme, which started with municipal elections on Monday, are therefore out of kilter with what is going on in the rest of the Arab Gulf.

The participation of women as voters and candidates, unsuccessful ones as it turned out, is a token of Qatar’s novel approach to suffrage and representation.

Exceptions proving the rule

Only Kuwait currently has an elected legislative body, established in 1992, despite the apparent reluctance of the ruling Sabah family. That came about when Western countries insisted on elections after liberating the emirate Kuwait from Iraqi occupation. Without elections it would have been hard to counter the allegation that Desert Storm had merely replaced one autocratic regime with another.

Kuwaiti democracy still falls short of Western ideals. Women do not have the vote, nor do men who have not been naturalised for 30 years or their ancestors resident in Kuwait since 1920. That leaves only 10% of the population. Bahrain did have a lively parliament for 18 months in the mid-1970s. But it proved to be too lively for the Al-Khalifa and was suspended in 1975. Since then popular unrest, led mainly by the Shi’a majority, has sporadically broken out. Portraits of jailed pro-parliamentary campaigners and graffiti proclaiming “Parliament is the solution” can still be seen on the walls of Bahrain’s Shi’a villages. Shura councils Other Gulf states tend to have toothless “shura” councils, consultative bodies of compliant appointees who discuss a limited range of domestic issues of the day. Proceedings in Saudi Arabia’s shura are even kept secret from the public, although nothing controversial could be discussed there. Oman held elections for its shura council in 1997. The Sultan had the final say about who got in and only 50,000 prominent Omani men (and women) were allowed to vote. In the words of one British commentator, Oman’s electoral system is the only one in the world where the government chooses theelectorate! Consultation and silence In any event, the shuras are held up as a “traditional” solution to international calls for democracy. A less charitable view is that they are a way of ensuring decisions on important topics – Iraq, rights for women and guest workers (who form a majority of many Gulf populations) – remain the sole preserve of the rulers. Meanwhile the Gulf states’ western allies generally keep quiet about democratic reform and popular participation. Diplomats say it is better to work behind the scenes.Critics of this approach say western governments just are unwilling to rock this particular boat. Khatami’s revolution Since 1997 the contrast between the Arab side of the Gulf and Iran could not be more marked. That year saw a president, Mohammed Khatami,elected on a wave of popular support, who is now implementing a programme of reform on the international and domestic levels. That is not to say Gulf leaders lack popularity or are incapable of introducing reforms. But many of their subjects see Iran as a positive role model for the first time in 20 years.

BFM condemns arson attack on a petrol station

Arsonists set a petrol station on fire on Monday 8 March. The station is located near the village of Hellah. The Bahrain Freedom Movement condemns all forms of arson and violence and hopes that the new Amir will not be deterred from pursuing a reformist policy.

Th BFM, alongside several opposition groups, had asked their supporters on 6 March in Bahrain to remain calm “to help in the initiation of a new policy by the forthcoming administration.” A joint opposition statement said it “hoped that the new Amir will utilise this opportunity to initiate a new type of policy that adopts a political solution to the ongoing internal crisis.”

Bahrain Freedom Movement

8 March 1999

Fax: (440 171 278 9089

Bahrain: Opposition calls for calm as the new Amir assumes power

The death of the Amir Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al-Khalifa on 6 March marked the beginning of a new phase in the politics of Bahrain. Crown prince Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa assumed the authorities of the Amir in a swift transfer of power and the late Amir was buried in the after noon, few hours after his death.

Statements from the opposition paid condolences to the late Amir and hoped that the new Amir will utilise this opportunity to initiate a new type of policy that adopts a political solution to the on-going internal crisis. The international interviewed leading members of the opposition and statements from the opposition revealed a consensus arrived at following the death of the Amir. A joint statement between the Bahrain Freedom Movement, the National Liberation Front and the Popular Front in Bahrain issued on 6 March said: “the opposition forces, over the many past years, have indicated that their aim is to achieve development and progress for the country, that their agenda is based on legitimate popular demands, that they refuse any external intervention in the political affairs of the country, that they call for dialogue and that they are eager to contribute in the building of a modern civil society. Unfortunately the security forces have committed a gross mistake by attempting to address the political crises through the use of force. We reaffirm our support for all sincere attempts to open up the political process and to introduce reform through peaceful means.”

People in various parts of Bahrain expressed their hope that the forthcoming government will pursue a different policy. In Duraz, residents marched on the streets re-stating their demands and declaring their hope that a new phase has began. The Associate Press reported on 7 March from Bani Jamra (the home village of Sheikh Al-Jamri) saying, “the calm atmosphere was brought on by more than just mourning in Bani Jamrah and the nearby villages of Diraz, Sanabis and Karranah. There was a wait-and-see quality, as people wondered what the new emir, Sheik Hamad, would bring. Mansour al-Jamri, one of the leaders of the exiled Bahrain Freedom Movement and the son of an imprisoned dissident, urged the new emir to “open a new page, to reconcile with the Bahraini opposition.” Al-Jamri spoke from London but, in his home village of Bani Jamrah, a similar message was literally written on the wall.

“We want a change,” read freshly sprayed shocking-red graffiti. “Parliament is the solution. Parliament with justice.” “Release the prisoners. Return the exiles. Those are our demands,” read other graffiti.”

The opposition issued statements to the people calling for calm to help in the initiation of a new policy by the forthcoming administration. Such a move has been supported by the wider public and the hope is the new Amir will be successful in addressing the crisis by defining the solution in political, rather than military or paramilitary, terms.

Bahrain Freedom Movement

8 March 1999

Fax (44) 171 278 9089

Amir of Bahrain Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al-Khalifa died on 6 March.

“We pay our condolences to the current emir for the death of his late father, and we hope the new emir will open a new page to reconcile with the Bahraini opposition,”

7 March: By SAM F. GHATTAS Associated Press Writer BANI JAMRAH, Bahrain (AP) — In the Shiite Muslim villages that are a hotbed of dissent, the streets were quiet Sunday as Bahrain mourned their dead ruler. Youngsters played soccer. Riot police patrolled the streets. But life came to a temporary standstill to mark the death of Sheik Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, who died Saturday of a heart attack after 38 years as emir of this island state in the Persian Gulf. But the calm atmosphere was brought on by more than just mourning in Bani Jamrah and the nearby villages of Diraz, Sanabis and Karranah. There was a wait-and-see quality, as people wondered what the new emir, Sheik Hamad, would bring. “We have unsettled business, which we hope the new emir will resolve,” said Hani Saleh, a 28-year-old grocer from Karranah, a Shiite-dominated village about a 15-minute drive from the capital, Manama. Saleh was referring to the restoration of the legislature that was dissolved by Sheik Isa in 1975. First established in 1973, it was Bahrain’s first and only experiment with democracy. Shiites, who make up a slight majority of Bahrain’s 600,000 people, wield little political power and have waged a violent campaign for political reforms that has left more than 40 people dead since December 1994. The ruling Al Khalifa family belong to the Sunni sect of Islam. Ali Kadhem, a 55-year-old delivery man in Sanabis, was prepared to give Sheik Hamad a chance. “I am not too optimistic, but I would rather wait and see before I pass my final judgment,” he said, as he pushed his wooden cart through the empty streets of Manama’s shopping district. Political commentary is muted in Bahrain, with few willing to openly discuss politics for fear of retaliation. But exiled dissidents hope Sheik Hamad will take the opportunity to change that. Mansour al-Jamri, one of the leaders of the exiled Bahrain Freedom Movement and the son of an imprisoned dissident, urged the new emir to “open a new page, to reconcile with the Bahraini opposition.” Al-Jamri spoke from London but, in his home village of Bani Jamrah, a similar message was literally written on the wall. “We want a change,” read freshly sprayed shocking-red graffiti. “Parliament is the solution. Parliament with justice.” “Release the prisoners. Return the exiles. Those are our demands,” read other graffiti. Outside analysts had differing opinions on what the future might hold. In Kuwait, which has close relations with Bahrain, newspaper columnist Ayed al-Manna said Sheik Hamad could bring surprises. “He is young and he understands that this is the age of democracy and popular participation has become a must,” said al-Manna who writes for Al-Watan. But others held out little hope for any major changes. Sheik Hamad’s policies will be “totally in line” with his late father’s, said Sateh Noureddine, editor-in-chief of the leftist Lebanese newspaper As-Safir. “The death will not bring about a transformation for the country in any aspect,” he told The Associated Press. The son of the late emir, Sheik Hamad was educated at British and U.S. military academies. He founded and commands Bahrain’s armed forces and has been quick to order armored vehicles on to the streets when unrest breaks out. One thing that is certain, though, is that Bahrain will remain firmly in the pro-Western camp. It serves as headquarters of the U.S. 5th Fleet and occasionally hosts American and British warplanes. There will be no “boat-rocking in foreign policy because Bahrain is too small to have any major change in foreign policy,” said Ahmed Bishara, who leads the National Democratic Movement, one of Kuwait’s opposition groups.

Bahrain Domestic Policy Seen As New Emir’s Main Challenge 7 March By Abdulla Fardan MANAMA, Bahrain (Dow Jones)–Lingering domestic political unrest and regional economic woes caused by the current slump in crude oil prices are seen as the biggest challenges facing Bahrain’s new emir, Sheik Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, analysts say. Sheik Hamad, 49, ascended to Bahrain’s throne hours after the death of his father Sheik Isa bin Salman al-Khalifa from a heart attack Saturday. Sheik Isa ruled Bahrain for 38 years. Analysts say they expect the new ruler to continue the long-standing strong relations with the U.S., which tiny Bahrain considers as a strategic ally for its stability in the volatile Middle East. In announcing his accession, Sheik Hamad pledged continuity. “On this day, we carry the trust of assuming rule in Bahrain…exerting all the effort possible to serve our country and our people by following the policy charted by the great departed,” he told an extraordinary cabinet meeting. The U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet uses Bahrain as its main base in the Middle East, while Bahrain also offers airbases to U.S. and British air forces to use them in monitoring Iraq. Analysts note that Sheik Hamad, who is a veteran military commander and politician, inherited tough economic realities caused by low oil prices since late 1997. Bahrain’s economic growth has been impeded in recent years by simmering social and political unrest since December 1994 among the majority Shiite population. The unrest has caused sporadic killings and arson and has driven a number of international banks and foreign companies off the island. While analysts don’t expected Sheik Hamad to initiate political reform in the short-term period, he is likely to order fresh measures to streamline the government finances and create more jobs for thousands of unemployed Shiite youths. The majority Shiites are demanding among other things, the restorations of parliament, which was dissolved by the late emir in 1975, and more jobs for the unemployed. Bahrain, in addition to its limited oil production of 140,000 barrels a day, has been hard hit by the persisting low oil prices since late 1997. The government’s current two-year budget for 1999 and 2000 is reeling under a 320-million-dinar ($1=BHD0.377) deficit. The budget plan projected total 1999-2000 revenues at BHD1.138 billion, of which BHD566 million is projected for 1999 and BHD572 for 2000. This is 10% and 9% lower, respectively, from the BHD630 million in revenue forecast for 1998. Total expenditures for 1999-2000 are estimated at BHD1.458 billion; BHD726.0 million for 1999 and BHD732.0 million for 2000. Sheik Hamad’s uncle, Sheik Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa, who has been premier since Bahrain’s independence in 1971, is expected to continue to head the government. Analysts expect continuity in both monetary and fiscal policies, with the local currency peg remaining unchanged at BHD0.377 to the dollar. They also expect little concern among the foreign banking community in the island, which is the main financial market in the Persian Gulf region. According to government figures, there were 180 banks and financial institutions operating in Bahrain at the end of 1997. On Sunday, businesses and banks throughout Bahrain were closed and flags flew at half-mast as the island-nation mourned the death of Sheik Isa. Bahrain Stock Exchange’s main index closed Thursday, before the emir’s death, at 2074.72 points, 0.6% up from previous session. The market will remain closed until next Sunday. -By Abdulla Fardan (973) 530 758 afardanp.org (END) DOW JONES NEWS 03-07-99 09:35 AM

7 March: By Abbas Salman MANAMA, Bahrain (Reuters) – Bahrain’s new Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa took the reigns of power and vowed to continue his late father’s policies as the Gulf Arab state mourned Sunday the death of its ruler for 38 years. Flags flew at half mast as activity in Bahrain, the Gulf’s main financial and banking hub, was paralyzed. Businesses and shops were closed for the second of five days of mourning for Sheikh Isa bin Sulman al-Khalifa, who died of a heart attack Saturday. “We will remain committed to the era of the father from whom we learned a lot,” Sheikh Hamad told the Saudi newspaper Okaz. “God willing, matters will proceed the way he wanted and we will work to continue the stability he created and preserved,” he added. Bahrain television showed Sheikh Hamad, his Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Sulman al-Khalifa and officials from the ruling family receiving Arab dignitaries and ordinary Bahrainis who had flocked to the Rifaa palace to offer condolences. Gulf Arab leaders, Jordan’s King Abdullah and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, flew to Bahrain to offer condolences. Palestinian President Yasser Arafat was also expected. French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine also paid a short visit to Bahrain Sunday. Sheikh Isa’s sudden death shocked Bahrain’s 580,000 people. A state television presenter was holding back tears as she read the news. The television and radio broadcast readings from the Muslim holy book, the Koran — a traditional ritual on the death of a high-ranking official. “His death was a big loss not only for Bahrain, but also for Arab and Islamic states,” a grieving Bahraini said. “Sheikh Isa was a leader and a father for all Bahrainis. He loved peace and called for peace inside and outside his country,” another said. Among the challenges facing Sheikh Hamad, an experienced army commander, is to keep the economic diversification drive as oil prices remain low and to maintain stability in the small Sunni-ruled country, which has a Shi’ite Muslim majority. Bahrain, faced with weak oil prices while committed to provide adequate basic services which helped make it a banking hub, has been borrowing money from Arab and Islamic funds to finance vital infrastructure projects in the past two years. Bahrain had foiled two attempts to topple the government by force in 1982 and 1996. An anti-government unrest by members of the island’s Shi’ites seeking political and economic reforms erupted in December 1994. It abated in 1998. “The road is not rosy, but Sheikh Hamad, with his firmness and openness, I think is capable of continuing the march of his father,” one diplomat said. Bankers and diplomats, however, do not expect any major changes to take place. “This is not a rich state but the economy is not badly managed and there is nothing immediate to do which is very different,” one diplomat said. “He (Sheikh Hamad) is a pragmatic man with clear views on domestic and regional issues. His father was a wise man who placed much emphasis on Gulf (Arab) traditions when dealing with other countries and local issues,” a Gulf Arab analyst said. Sheikh Hamad has also to deal with a long-standing territorial dispute with neighboring Qatar over small islands in the Gulf controlled by Bahrain since the 1930’s but also claimed by Qatar, a dispute which Doha took to the International Court of Justice in the Hague in 1991.

6 March: MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — The emir of Bahrain, a key Western ally whose economic achievements were marred by political unrest, died Saturday shortly after a meeting with Defense Secretary William Cohen. Sheik Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, who ruled for 38 years, suffered a heart attack and died shortly afterward. The 65-year-old emir was buried within hours, with thousands of Bahrainis showering the 12-mile funeral route with flowers in a traditional display of mourning. His son, Sheik Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, assumed the throne. Cohen and his entourage left for Saudi Arabia shortly after the emir’s death. He is the second pro-Western Arab leader to die in two months, following the death of Jordan’s King Hussein in February. Bahrain, a nation of 35 islands covering 260 square miles, is home to the biggest U.S. naval presence in the region. Sheik Isa allowed British and American warplanes to use Bahraini airfields during the 1991 Persian Gulf War. Afterward, he traveled to Washington and signed a security pact with the United States. Cohen said he could tell that “there was something that wasn’t quite right” during his meeting with Sheik Isa. “I’ve met with him on many occasions over the years, and I consider him just a great friend,” Cohen told reporters traveling with him. “He is a very warm, generous spirit with a light in his eyes that was not there today.” Five minutes after Cohen left him, the emir collapsed. President Clinton offered his condolences to the people of Bahrain and said the emir will be missed. “The Emir was a good friend of the American people, and a good friend of peace. He shared our desire to see a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the region,” Clinton said in a statement. About 2,500 Americans live and work in Bahrain, including about 1,000 in the military. U.S. warships often dock in Bahrain, home to the 5th Fleet, so sailors can take shore leave. Sheik Isa had offered the facilities to the Navy, discreetly at first fearing popular resentment against a foreign military presence. During and after the 1990-91 Gulf crisis, he became more open about the U.S. presence. Pro-Western governments in the region lavished praise on the late emir. Kuwait’s emir, Sheik Jaber al-Ahmed al-Sabah, called Sheik Isa the “cornerstone of political wisdom,” while Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak described him as “a great man who spent his life serving his people and nation.” Sheik Jaber, and Jordan’s King Abdullah were heading to Bahrain. An opposition leader also expressed his condolences, but urged Sheik Hamad to stop what many maintain is the use of force, arrest and torture against political opponents.

“We pay our condolences to the current emir for the death of his late father, and we hope the new emir will open a new page to reconcile with the Bahraini opposition,” said Mansour al-Jamri, son of Shiite Muslim opposition leader Abdul-Ameer al-Jamri who is on trial for inciting unrest against the ruling family.

Shiites, members of Islam’s second-largest sect, make up 60 percent of Bahrain’s half-million citizens. The Al Khalifa ruling dynasty adheres to the mainstream Sunni sect of Islam, the religion’s largest sect. Shiites face higher unemployment and have little political clout compared to minority Sunnis. Sheik Isa toyed with Western-style democracy in 1973, when a national assembly was elected. But he dissolved it two years later and suspended the constitution. Activists demand a return of the parliament and a better deal for the Shiites whose simmering resentment led in 1994 to a violent anti-government campaign of arson, bombings and street violence that has so far claimed 40 lives. In a statement after assuming power, Sheik Hamad noted he would continue his father’s policies. “I am assuming the rule of Bahrain, relying on God, exerting all the effort possible to serve our country and our people,” Sheik Hamad, 49, said. Sheik Hamad leads the Bahraini military and has already been heavily involved in day-to-day running of the country. Sheik Hamad and his uncle, Prime Minister Sheik Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, attended the funeral, held within hours of the emir’s death in keeping with Islamic custom of quick burial. Many of the 10,000 mourners at the royal cemetery in Riffa pushed forward to help members of the royal family shoulder the wooden bier on which Sheik Isa’s cloth-wrapped body was carried from an ambulance to his grave. Flags at government buildings flew at half-staff as a three-month official mourning period began. Sheik Isa had a medical checkup in the United States in November and was reported in good health. An Information Ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the emir had not shown any signs of ill health earlier Saturday. Bahrain was the first nation in the Arab world to discover oil, and the first to feel the pain of running out — its reserves could dry up in a decade or so. The emir turned to human resources, turning the island into an offshore free-banking zone and trade center while introducing several light industries. More accessible than other royal family members, he would sometimes turn up unannounced at a royally owned beach and invite bathers to his villa for tea, cakes and a chat, always looking for a good joke.

BBC

6 March 1999: Emir of Bahrain dies The Emir had ruled since 1961 The Emir of Bahrain, Sheikh Isa ibn Salman al-Khalifa, has died of a heart attack at the age of 66, ending a reign spanning nearly four decades. He was immediately succeeded by his son and designated heir, Crown Prince Hamad ibn Isa al-Khalifa, who commands Bahrain’s armed forces. Gulf Correspondent Frank Gardiner: “Death will bring enormous change” Bahrain state television interrupted its normal programmes to broadcast readings from the Muslim holy book, the Koran – a traditional sign of the death of a high official. Time of death was put at 1000 GMT. “The emir died suddenly of natural causes after a meeting with [US Defence] Secretary [William] Cohen,” an official of the Bahraini Defence Forces said. They had just concluded a deal under which Bahrain will buy sophisticated new medium range air-to-air missiles. A news conference by Mr Cohen at Bahrain airport was called off following reports of the emir’s death. The defence secretary, who was on the first leg of a Gulf tour, postponed his departure for Saudi Arabia.

BBC Gulf Correspondent Frank Gardener said the emir’s sudden death has left his country’s citizens in shock, even though he had long suffered from heart problems.

Ninth in the lineage of Al-Khalifa rulers, Sheikh Isa leaves nine children.

Emir since independence The emir had ruled the Gulf state since 1961, when he succeeded his father Sheikh Salman to the throne. He had served as crown prince since 1958. Sheikh Isa took the title, emir, in August 1971, assuming full power when Bahrain achieved independence from Britain that year. Fergus Nicoll reports: The new emir “does not inherit a totally trouble free state”. The office of emir passes from father to the eldest son unless the emir designates another male relative to succeed him. This clause of the constitution is not subject to amendment. The BBC’s correspondent says the advent of a new ruler is bound to bring changes to Bahrain, where most citizens have known no other ruler all their lives. Regional shift

Crown Prince Hamed : Close to Saudi Arabia

Sheikh Isa was renowned for his close links to Britain. Sheikh Hamad is known to be closer to the princes of Saudi Arabia.

Many expect that he will steer Bahrain’s policies towards a more Pan-Arab agenda. Regional analysts say that some of Bahrain’s restless Shi’ite population may use this change of rulers to push for more political power.

The United States – Bahrain’s main military ally – will be concerned about the continuation of a 50-year-old military partnership that allows the US navy to base its Fifth Fleet in Bahrain.

By ADNAN MALIK Associated Press Writer MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — Bahrain’s new emir has been heavily involved in the day-to-day running of the country and is widely expected to continue the pro-Western policies of his late father. Sheik Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who has served as crown prince since 1971, now rules the tiny Persian Gulf nation that is home to the U.S. 5th Fleet. In announcing his accession to the throne shortly after his 65-year-old father died of a heart attack Saturday, Sheik Hamad, 49, pledged continuity. “On this day, we carry the trust of assuming rule in Bahrain … exerting all the effort possible to serve our country and our people by following the policy charted by the great departed,” Sheik Hamad said at a Cabinet meeting. Sheik Hamad is believed to be far more heavy-handed in his approach to dissent than his father. The late Sheik Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa delegated security matters to his son and interior minister, preferring to devote his time to foreign affairs and Arab diplomacy. However, the new emir has always had a hands-on approach to opposition, sending armored personnel carriers on to the streets as soon as riots break out. The army has played a large role in keeping a lid on dissent from Bahrain’s majority Shiite Muslim sect. The unrest that broke out in 1994 has claimed more than 40 lives — mostly in acts of arson and street violence — and has caused millions of dollars worth of damage to property. Sheik Hamad was born Jan. 20, 1950. Like many members of Arab royal families, he was sent to Britain where he enrolled in the Moons Officer Cadet School, and Sandhurst Military Academy. He later studied at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. His biggest accomplishment to date has been the development of the armed forces, which began as a tiny squad with one office in 1968 and is now an army of 11,000 troops. Sheik Hamad recruited many soldiers from abroad, hiring men from countries such as Pakistan and Jordan. He plays golf, enjoys watching camel and horse races, and is a falconer. The sport of training falcons to retrieve prey for their owners is popular among rich Arabs in the Gulf. He owns prized thoroughbred Arabian horses and a collection of rare cars. But the military is clearly his first love. He often wears his military uniform complete with medals at home and is shown on national television attending live ammunition exercises with Bahrain’s forces or visiting Western soldiers stationed in the country. Besides the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet, Bahrain hosts British and American airbases, which were used during the 1991 Persian Gulf War.

By JOHN DIAMOND Associated Press Writer MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — Defense Secretary William Cohen sensed immediately Saturday that the emir of Bahrain was ailing. Only later would Cohen learn that five minutes after his courtesy call, one of the world’s longest-serving leaders was dead. Cohen, in Bahrain as part of a swing through several Persian Gulf states to discuss defense issues, had a hectic day in which normal diplomatic courtesy turned to stunned mourning for a longtime U.S. ally. The death of Sheik Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa “was a true shock to everybody,” Cohen told reporters as his hulking C-17 military transport plane taxied for takeoff from Bahrain for his next stop in Saudi Arabia. “I’ve met with him on many occasions over the years, and I consider him just a great friend,” the defense secretary said. “I could tell even this morning as I was talking with him there was something that wasn’t quite right. He is a very warm, generous spirit with a light in his eyes that was not there today.” Cohen’s day began with a staff breakfast, then a motorcade to Bahrain’s Government House for a meeting with the 65-year-old emir, a short, energetic figure known for his sense of humor. The two talked about regional peace, the threat posed by Iran and Iraq, the spread of chemical and biological weapons and terrorism. During their chat, the emir told Cohen he would like to visit New York City and stay at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, noting as an aside that he always traveled with a physician. The meeting ended at 11:15 a.m. (3:15 a.m. EST). Cohen had been invited to an open-air lunch in the desert by Bahrain’s defense minister, Sheik Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa. The phone rang in his limousine: Plans changed, the lunch would take place at Bahrain’s officers’ club. There, Sheik Khalifa took two telephone calls. He hung up from the second one and said simply: “The emir just died.” Reporters traveling with Cohen were being shuttled to Bahrain International Airport. Suddenly traffic was halted, and an ambulance escorted by two security vehicles and followed by several Mercedes limousines sped by in the opposite direction. It was the emir, senior Bahrain officials said. He was already dead. He collapsed about five minutes after Cohen left their late-morning meeting. Crown Prince Sheik Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the emir’s son, was now the head of state. An airport news conference was canceled, and even before any official announcement, Bahrain state television and radio had interrupted regular programs and played Koranic verses in mourning. Cohen traveled to the palace in Manama to pay his respects and give condolences to the new emir, then continued on to Saudi Arabia. In Washington, President Clinton issued a statement expressing “deep sadness” and calling Sheik Isa “a good friend of peace.” The emir was buried before sundown Saturday, a private and traditional Muslim ceremony in which his body was wrapped in white cotton cloth and lowered into the ground without a coffin. Sheik Isa has ruled Bahrain, a Persian Gulf nation of 35 islands with a land area about 3 1/2 times the size of the District of Columbia, since 1961. That put him when he died in a class with Fidel Castro among the world’s longest-serving heads of state. A staunch ally of the United States, host for 51 years to a major U.S. naval presence, the emir visited Washington last June where he received a 21-gun salute at the Pentagon. He also traveled to Cleveland for treatment of his heart condition. The emir was not immune to criticism in Bahrain for backing the United States. The government has been anxious not to appear overly supportive of airstrikes on Iraq even as it allowed an Air Force expeditionary wing to fly from Bahrain last year. But U.S. diplomats said the emir generally was regarded in Bahrain as a father figure. At the U.S. Embassy, a Bahraini woman employee wept inconsolably at news of his death. At the airport, Cohen was to announce sale of 26 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles for use on Bahrain’s 12 U.S.-built F-16 fighters. The missiles, made by Hughes Missiles and Space and Raytheon Co., They will be delivered at a cost of $386,000 each by 2002 at the earliest, Pentagon spokesman Kenneth Bacon said. But instead of an announcement of missile sales, the secretary issued a statement of condolence. “I will miss his wise counsel, warm friendship and steady support for the efforts of the United States to promote peace in the region,” Cohen said. Then Cohen flew on to Saudi Arabia to meet with King Fahd.

The Royal court issued an official statement, which was read over the government TV and news agency, said a three-month mourning period has been declared while the government and private corporations will be closed for five days beginning Saturday. The emir will be buried in Riffa later Saturday after the afternoon Moslem prayer, the Royal court said. Sheik Isa has ruled Bahrain since November 1961. (END) DOW JONES NEWS 03-06-99

07:04 AM

MANAMA, March 6 (Reuters) – Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, who succeeded his father who died on Saturday, has built a well-trained army despite the Gulf Arab island’s limited financial resources and small population. Crown Prince since 1964, Sheikh Hamad was defence minister and then commander of Bahrain’s national guard before the creation of an army force after the island gained independence in 1971 from Britain. He is committed to the alliance with five other Gulf Arab states grouped together under the Gulf Cooperation Council. “We are a part of our Arab Gulf and we do not outpace our brothers and brethren. We will not be lagging behind any steps they take. Our present is one and our future is one, and we are bound by joint security and defence pacts,” Sheikh Hamad said in an interview in 1996. Born on 28 January, 1950, Sheikh Hamad was officially appointed crown prince of the small country of 580,000 in 1964. Bahrain’s armed forces — under the command of Sheikh Hamad — joined an international alliance led by the United States to help drive Iraqi forces out of Kuwait in 1991. But other then that Bahrain’s 8,000-strong army has never been engaged in a war. Even when Qatari troops landed on a small disputed small Gulf island in 1986, Saudi Arabia stepped in to defuse the crisis. Bahrain and Qatar are locked in a long-standing border dispute over small but potentially oil- and gas-rich islands, including Hawar island, located near Qatar’s northwestern coast and are controlled by Bahrain since 1930s. Sheikh Hamad studied in Bahrain and abroad and became a qualified helicopter pilot in 1978. He had been a permanent member of the Helicopter Club of the Great Britain. He speaks good English, rides well and water-skis, used to play basketball and football with his soldiers and is fond of tennis and falconry. Sheikh Hamad is the eldest son of the late Emir, Sheikh Isa. He has three sons, the eldest is Sheikh Salman who was appointed deputy defence minister in 1995, Abdullah and Khalifa and two daughters. He appears committed to the policies which his deceased father had pursued during 37 years in office.

“It is difficult to go unilateral with frameworks and courses strange to our society whatever the circumstances. On this basis, the course of shura (consultative council) is the one now prevailing in the Gulf Cooperation Council,” Sheikh Hamad said in the 1996 interview.

Bahrain’s Emir -3: Country Is Small Oil Producer Sheik Isa underwent a medical checkup in the United States in November and was reported in good health. His first major ailment was a heart attack in the months after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in August 1990, when he traveled to Cleveland, Ohio, for treatment. The emir ascended the throne in 1961. Bahrain is a small oil producer with crude output of around 140,000 barrels a day. But the island is a major financial center for the Persian Gulf region. The island is used as a base by a number of international banks, oil companies and service companies. Bahrain is also long-standing U.S. ally in the Middle East, and it’s used as a base by the U.S. Navy and Air Force. U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen, who met with the emir just a few hours earlier and was scheduled to leave the country, decided to prolong his stay in Bahrain to offer condolences to the royal family. Bahrain has been under intermittent political and social unrest since December 1994, with the majority Shiite population demanding the restoration of Bahrain’s parliament, which was suspended in 1975 for criticizing the government. They are also demanding jobs for thousands of unemployed Shiite Muslim youths in the country. Bahrain is ruled by the Al Khalifa family, which is Sunni Muslim. In December 1994 protesters took to the streets, clashing with riot police in a number of skirmishes. Since that time a number of police officers and rioters have been killed in sporadic unrest.

According to Bahrain’s constitution, the crown prince, Sheik Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, the emir’s eldest son, should be proclaimed new emir, or head of state.

By ADNAN MALIK Associated Press Writer MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — The emir of Bahrain, a key Western ally whose economic achievements were marred by political unrest, died Saturday shortly after a meeting with Defense Secretary William Cohen. Sheik Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, who ruled for 38 years, suffered a heart attack and died shortly afterward. The 65-year-old emir was buried within hours, with thousands of Bahrainis showering the 12-mile funeral route with flowers in a traditional display of mourning. His son, Sheik Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, assumed the throne within hours. Cohen and his entourage left for Saudi Arabia shortly after the emir’s death. Bahrain, a nation of 35 islands covering 260 square miles, is home to the biggest U.S. naval presence in the region. Sheik Isa allowed British and American warplanes to use Bahraini airfields during the 1991 Persian Gulf War. Afterward, he traveled to Washington and signed a security pact with the United States. Cohen said he could tell that “there was something that wasn’t quite right” during his meeting with Sheik Isa. “I’ve met with him on many occasions over the years, and I consider him just a great friend,” Cohen told reporters traveling with him. “He is a very warm, generous spirit with a light in his eyes that was not there today.” Five minutes after Cohen left him, the emir collapsed. About 2,500 Americans live and work in Bahrain, including about 1,000 in the military. U.S. warships often dock in Bahrain, home to the 5th Fleet, so sailors can take shore leave. Sheik Isa had offered the facilities to the Navy, discreetly at first fearing popular resentment against a foreign military presence. During and after the 1990-91 Gulf crisis, he became more open about the U.S. presence. Pro-Western governments in the region lavished praise on the late emir. Kuwait’s emir, Sheik Jaber al-Ahmed al-Sabah, called Sheik Isa the “cornerstone of political wisdom,” while Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak described him as “a great man who spent his life serving his people and nation.” Sheik Jaber, and Jordan’s King Abdullah were heading to Bahrain. An opposition leader also expressed his condolences, but urged Sheik Hamad to stop what many maintain is the use of force, arrest and torture against political opponents. “We pay our condolences to the current emir for the death of his late father, and we hope the new emir will open a new page to reconcile with the Bahraini opposition,” said Mansour al-Jamri, son of Shiite Muslim opposition leader Abdul-Ameer al-Jamri who is on trial for inciting unrest against the ruling family. Shiites, members of Islam’s second-largest sect, make up 60 percent of Bahrain’s half-million citizens. The Al Khalifa ruling dynasty adheres to the mainstream Sunni sect of Islam, the religion’s largest sect. Shiites face higher unemployment and have little political clout compared to minority Sunnis. Sheik Isa toyed with Western-style democracy in 1973, when a national assembly was elected. But he dissolved it two years later and suspended the constitution. Activists demand a return of the parliament and a better deal for the Shiites whose simmering resentment led in 1994 to a violent anti-government campaign of arson, bombings and street violence that has so far claimed 40 lives. In a statement after assuming power, Sheik Hamad noted he would continue his father’s policies. “I am assuming the rule of Bahrain, relying on God, exerting all the effort possible to serve our country and our people,” Sheik Hamad, 49, said. Sheik Hamad leads the Bahraini military and has already been heavily involved in day-to-day running of the country. Sheik Hamad and his uncle, Prime Minister Sheik Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, attended the funeral, held within hours of the emir’s death in keeping with Islamic custom of quick burial. Many of the 10,000 mourners at the royal cemetery in Riffa pushed forward to help members of the royal family shoulder the wooden bier on which Sheik Isa’s cloth-wrapped body was carried from an ambulance to his grave. Flags at government buildings flew at half-staff as a three-month official mourning period began. Sheik Isa had a medical checkup in the United States in November and was reported in good health. An Information Ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the emir had not shown any signs of ill health earlier Saturday. Sheik Isa is the first monarch to die in the Persian Gulf region in 17 years, since Saudi King Khaled in 1982. But he was one of the younger leaders in the area. He is the second pro-Western Arab leader to die in two months, following the death of Jordan’s King Hussein in February. Bahrain was the first nation in the Arab world to discover oil, and the first to feel the pain of running out — its reserves could dry up in a decade or so. The emir turned to human resources, turning the island into an offshore free-banking zone and trade center while introducing several light industries. More accessible than other royal family members, he would sometimes turn up unannounced at a royally owned beach and invite bathers to his villa for tea, cakes and a chat, always looking for a good joke.

MANAMA, March 6 (Reuters) – Sheikh Isa bin Sulman al-Khalifa, who died of a heart attack on Saturday, steered his country in 37 years of rule through independence, economic prosperity and local and regional tensions. “We hope Bahrain will remain as it has been over the years, an important strategic centre for world civilisation and trade,” Sheikh Isa once said. Bahrain was the first Gulf state to find oil in commercial quantities in the early 1930s but it never became a major oil exporter and what reserves it has are dwindling. Sheikh Isa and his government decided the island’s future prosperity could only be assured by transforming the economy. Long an established trading centre, Bahrain encouraged the development of a substantial banking industry, boosted by Lebanon’s civil war and the 1982 Israeli invasion that undermined Beirut as a financial hub. Its economic diversification, which included heavy industry projects such as an aluminium smelter, dry dock and iron ore pellet plant, helped it weather volatile oil prices better than some of its Gulf neighbours. In a newspaper interview in December 1986 marking his 25th anniversary as emir, Sheikh Isa said he believed his biggest achievement as ruler had been the construction of a 25 km (16 mile) causeway linking Bahrain to Saudi Arabia by road for the first time. It was opened in November 1986. The al-Khalifas came to Bahrain from Arabia in 1782 and the following year expelled the Persians, who had taken over the island from the Portuguese in the early 17th century. Born in 1933, Sheikh Isa came to the throne in 1961 on the death of his father, Sheikh Sulman bin Hamad al-Khalifa, after having been named crown prince in 1958. Bahrain had been a British protectorate since the mid-19th century. But with the gradual eclipse of the British presence east of Suez in the 1960s, a federation was proposed to include Bahrain, neighbouring Qatar and the seven Trucial States further down the Gulf — now the United Arab Emirates. Sheikh Isa, however, was dissatisfied with elements of the proposed constitution and decided to seek full independence. He adopted the title of Emir on independence in 1971 and in 1973 established an elected parliament modelled on those of Lebanon and Kuwait. The experiment was short-lived. The assembly was dominated by leftists opposed to the ruling family’s autocratic-style rule. Crown Prince Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa took over on Saturday as the new emir after his father’s death, state radio said. Sheikh Khalifa bin Sulman al-Khalifa, brother of the late emir, is the prime minister and other members of the ruling family hold many key cabinet posts. Dissatisfaction with the assembly’s workings and domestic political unrest led to its dissolution in 1975. Political parties are banned in Bahrain. In December 1994, anti-government protests erupted after the arrest of a Shi’ite cleric for distributing leaflets signed by around 20,000 people demanding restoration of parliament. Sheikh Isa also steered his small country through a period of turbulence in the 1980s with the Iran-Iraq war, rising Moslem fundamentalism and during heightened security fears among conservative Gulf Arab states after Iraq’s 1990 invasion of Kuwait. Iran’s Islamic revolution in 1979 sent shock waves through the Gulf, particularly in Bahrain, where about 65 percent of the island’s 580,000 indigenous population are Shi’ite Moslems. In 1996, Bahrain said it foiled a pro-Iranian “terrorist” plot to overthrow the government by force and downgraded relations with Iran. Ties were, however, upgraded recently.

The Emir himself was relaxed and friendly. “When I have spare time I like to spend some of it with my grandchildren. I also enjoy falconry and hunting,” he said in an interview.

By Charles Aldinger MANAMA, March 6 (Reuters) – U.S. Defence Secretary William Cohen said on Saturday he was “stunned and saddened” at the death of Bahrain’s emir only minutes after the two held talks peppered with concern for Gulf security and banter about the United States. “We met for about a half hour and I could tell as I was meeting with him that there was something that wasn’t quite right,” the secretary told reporters travelling with him on a Gulf visit. “He was a very warm, generous spirit with a light in his eye that was not there today,” Cohen said of the 30-minute meeting with his longtime friend Sheikh Isa bin Sulman al- Khalifa, 66, who according to U.S. officials died about five minutes after Cohen left the office where they met. The secretary said he was told later by the emir’s brother, the prime minister, that Sheikh Isa — who had suffered from heart problems — did not feel well on Friday night and did not sleep well. But Sheikh Isa and Cohen met at about 10:45 a.m. local time anyway. “Ordinarily, he would not have met with anyone, but because of our friendship, he wanted to make sure that he at least saw me for a brief period of time. It (the death) was a true shock for everyone. I am stunned and saddened,” said Cohen, who later left for Saudi Arabia on the second leg of a nine-country trip to the Gulf and Middle East. “It was a very different kind of meeting than I normally have with him,” said the defence secretary, who welcomed the emir to the Pentagon in Washington last June with a 21-gun salute. “I have met with him on many occasions over the years and I consider him to be a great friend.” The emir, who had led the small and wealthy oil emirate in the Gulf since 1961, had visited Cleveland, Ohio, in the United States last year to undergo treatment for a heart problem. “We were talking this morning about him wanting to come back to the United States and I asked him where he wanted to go. He said New York City and stay at the Waldorf (Waldorf Astoria Hotel). Cohen said he offered to take Isa out to Las Vegas, Nevada. “We were just kidding around a little bit, like that. But it was sort of a different kind of meeting. It just didn’t seem to have the same kind of spirit.” U.S. officials travelling with Cohen said that the emir, during the meeting, had expressed concern about the potential security threats to the Gulf from Iraq and Iran, from terrorism and from weapons of mass destruction such as chemical and biological weapons. Cohen told reporters he was having lunch shortly after the meeting with Bahrain’s defence minister and “he mentioned to me that the emir was not feeling that well and was going to have some check-ups of the heart.” “While we were there having lunch, he got two telephone calls and (after) the second one, he said ‘the emir just died’.” The secretary went to the emir’s home to pay his respects and offered to remain in the country. But U.S. officials said they were told that Cohen should not cancel his previous schedule and that the emir would be buried later on Saturday in a simple, private family ceremony.

REUTERS

Clinton Expresses ‘Deep Sadness’ For Bahrain Emir’s Death MANAMA, Bahrain (AP)–President Clinton Saturday issued a statement expressing ‘deep sadness’ for the death of Bahrain’s emir and called Sheik Isa ‘a good friend of peace.’ Defense Secretary William Cohen has said that he sensed durind their meeting Saturday that the emir of Bahrain was ailing. Only later would Cohen learn that five minutes after his courtesy call, one of the world’s longest-serving leaders was dead. Cohen, in Bahrain as part of a swing through several Persian Gulf states to discuss defense issues, had a hectic day in which normal diplomatic courtesy turned to stunned mourning for a longtime U.S. ally. The death of Sheik Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa ‘was a true shock to everybody,’ Cohen told reporters as his hulking C-17 military transport plane taxied for takeoff from Bahrain for his next stop in Saudi Arabia. ‘I’ve met with him on many occasions over the years, and I consider him just a great friend,’ the defense secretary said. ‘I could tell even this morning as I was talking with him there was something that wasn’t quite right. He is a very warm, generous spirit with a light in his eyes that was not there today.’ Cohen’s day began with a staff breakfast, then a motorcade to Bahrain’s Government House for a meeting with the 65-year-old emir, a short, energetic figure known for his sense of humor. The two talked about regional peace, the threat posed by Iran and Iraq, the spread of chemical and biological weapons and terrorism. During their chat, the emir told Cohen he would like to visit New York City and stay at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, noting as an aside that he always traveled with a physician. The meeting ended at 11:15 a.m. (3:15 a.m. EST). Reporters traveling with Cohen were being shuttled to Bahrain International Airport. Suddenly traffic was halted, and an ambulance escorted by two security vehicles and followed by several Mercedes limousines sped by in the opposite direction. It was the emir, senior Bahrain officials said. He was already dead. He collapsed about five minutes after Cohen left their late-morning meeting. Crown Prince Sheik Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the emir’s son, was now the head of state. An airport news conference was canceled, and even before any official announcement, Bahrain state television and radio had interrupted regular programs and played Koranic verses in mourning. Cohen traveled to the palace in Manama to pay his respects and give condolences to the new emir, then continued on to Saudi Arabia. The emir was buried before sundown Saturday, a private and traditional Muslim ceremony in which his body was wrapped in white cotton cloth and lowered into the ground without a coffin. Sheik Isa has ruled Bahrain, a Persian Gulf nation of 35 islands with a land area about 3 1/2 times the size of the District of Columbia, since 1961. That put him when he died in a class with Fidel Castro among the world’s longest-serving heads of state. A staunch ally of the United States, host for 51 years to a major U.S. naval presence, the emir visited Washington last June where he received a 21-gun salute at the Pentagon. He also traveled to Cleveland for treatment of his heart condition. The emir was not immune to criticism in Bahrain for backing the United States. The government has been anxious not to appear overly supportive of airstrikes on Iraq even as it allowed an Air Force expeditionary wing to fly from Bahrain last year. But U.S. diplomats said the emir generally was regarded in Bahrain as a father figure. At the U.S. Embassy, a Bahraini woman employee wept inconsolably at news of his death. At the airport, Cohen was to announce sale of 26 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles for use on Bahrain’s 12 U.S.-built F-16 fighters. The missiles, made by Hughes Missiles and Space and Raytheon Co., They will be delivered at a cost of $386,000 each by 2002 at the earliest, Pentagon spokesman Kenneth Bacon said. But instead of an announcement of missile sales, the secretary issued a statement of condolence. ‘I will miss his wise counsel, warm friendship and steady support for the efforts of the United States to promote peace in the region,’ Cohen said. Then Cohen flew on to Saudi Arabia to meet with King Fahd. (END) DOW JONES NEWS 03-06-99 03:59 PM

Update on the Bar Society:

3 March: The Bahraini Bar Society emerged the winner following one year of closure by the government. The society was closed down early last years following a seminar held in January 1998 in which the government’s polices were criticised. On 16 February, the executive committee appointed by the government published an invitation – through the press – to all lawyers to attend a meeting to elect a new executive committee. All government’s candidates were defeated in the election that took place in the beginning of March. The new executive committee comprises of Ali Al-Ayyobi (president), Salman Sahwan (deputy-president), Fareed Ghazi (cultural affairs), Mohammed Ahmad Amin (professional affairs), Radhi Al-Jabal (social affairs), Mohammed Eid Al-Hussaini (treasurer).

Bahrain: Trial of Sheikh Al-Jamri is a political gamble by the government
The decision of the Bahraini government to bring Sheikh Al-Jamri to trial on 21 February has shocked the nation and international NGOs. By bringing charges against Sheikh Al-Jamri, the government is heralding a new phase in Bahrain politics that is heading for the unknown. To try Sheikh Al-Jamri, member of the dissolved parliament, the poet, the writer, the judge the religious scholar, and the campaigner for the restoration of constitutional rights is a desperate gamble by a government that has failed to come to terms with its people. The insecurity of the Bahraini government is caused by its lake of constitutional legitimacy rather than by the dozens of annually fabricated “coup-attempts” announced by the intelligence department. This is the department, which is headed and staffed by foreign officers who torture and maim citizens. The Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales wrote to the Amir, the Interior and Justice Ministers saying, “the Committee respectfully requests that it be allowed to send an observer to attend the trial of Judge Al-Jamri. The Committee would be grateful to receive details of the place and date of the trial and the charges that have been brought against Judge Al-Jamri…. We look forward to your early response in order that we can proceed with arranging to send an observer.” The government has refused to answer any of the international calls for allowing observers to attend the trial. It is expected that the second session of the trial might go ahead next week, with threats being passed against Sheikh Al-Jamri by the intelligence department, which had been angered by the remarks made during the first session on 21 February. He said that he is “innocent” and had committed “no crime”, that there is no evidence against him and that papers presented had been fabricated, and that he demands the “restoration of the National Assembly”. Ahead of the next session, the security forces had been put on high alert and many people are being rounded up around the country and several mosques’ preachers were detained following last Friday’s sermons in which calls were made for releasing Sheikh Al-Jamri. Atrocities by security forces:

The security forces continued their inhumane attacks against citizens. In Ma’amir the car (Chevrolet, Caprice) of Ali Hussain Ashor was set on fire on 26 February. Several cars of citizens had been burnt last week in the same area and the citizens point their fingers at the agents of the interior ministry who are aiming to stir internal conflicts and divert attention from core political issues.

Several houses were attacked on 27 February in Abo-Saiba’a. The security forces mounted several raids and arrested Ali Mohammed Abbas Al-Zaki, 20, Husain Saeed Al-Malik, 19, Faisal Abdula Al-Saegh, 19, and his brother Mohammed, 17. Similarly, the security forces attacked Aa’li on 27 February and detained the following people: Hussain Al-Zaki, 13-year child, his brother Ali Al-Zaki, 11-year old child (the two children were savagely beaten in front of their parent’s home), Jaffer Mohammed Habib, 19, Ahmad Nasser Abdul Aziz, 19, Abdul Amir Mohammed Ali, 18m Yasin Hasan Yasin, 17 and Isam Mohammed Habib, 16. Strike of detainees at Dry-Dock Camp The Dry-Dock prison camp, where more than 600 young people are detained, is witnessing a siege and campaign of torture by security forces. Many detainees have declared a hunger strike and are entering their second week. The interior ministry holds these hundreds of people without charges and many of them are unaware of the reason for their arrest in the first place. UN Meeting on Racism: The 54th session of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) started on 1 March and will last until 19 March. The government of Bahrain had ratified CERD convention in 1990 but has refused to comply with the clauses of the treaty. The government of Bahrain stands accused of systematic bigoted racism. The government of Bahrain implements apartheid-like policies against the citizens in different walks of life. This racism has manifested itself in the way the crackdowns against the Shia population have been managed. Despite the fact that the pro-democracy movement is a broadly based national tendency, the Bahraini government has chosen to attack the Shia community. The government adopts a policy for singling out the Shia and implementing the harshest punishments to offer them as escape-goats. It believes that sacrificing the Shia will not be challenged by influential powers in the region. The opposition hopes that the UN intervenes to put an end to racism in Bahrain. Role of Bahraini women: The role of Bahraini women in civil society movement is the central theme of a paper published in “Alim al-Fikr” Kuwaiti periodical of March 1999. The paper was authored by the pro-democracy Bahraini figure Dr. Monira Fakhro. The paper explains how women in Bahrain struggled for their rights and the difficulties facing them. It is worth noting that Dr. Fakhro was dismissed from Bahrain University (alongside the late Ms Aziza Al-Bassam and Ms Hessa Al-Khumeiri) in 1995 for their role in the submission of a pro-democracy women petition. Bahrain Freedom Movement 4 March 1999 Fax: (44) 171 278 9089

March 1999

Sheikh Al Jamri’s trial produces bad results for the regime

A trial of the system of repression

Starting the trial on 21 February of the pro-democracy campaigner, Sheikh Al-Jamri, is not an ordinary event. To thousands of people in Bahrain, he represents more than a political figure. For two decades the man was subjected to enormous pressures and persecution for his principled beliefs and stands.

When Bahrain gained its independence in 1971, Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa assumed the premiership of the cabinet, a post he has held uninterrupted ever since. It was he who stood against any political reform in the country, and under his direction, Ian Henderson introduced the notorious bill of the State Security Law in 1974, that had subsequently led to the dissolution of the partially-elected parliament and the suspension of key articles of the constitution. The event was more than an ordinary one in the life of the present generation of Bahrainis. It was a black spot in their recent history, a downturn to the worst in a country that had been ruled by an autocratic, reactionary and despotic system.

The past quarter of a century has been a nightmare for the country. Beginning from the last days of the brief flirtation with democracy, one group after another was taken hostage by the usurpers of political power. Year in, year out, the crisis deepened further, with mounting numbers of casualties. The bloody episodes that started in 1975 continued to escalate and observed no limits. Children, women, young and old men were killed or tortured-to-death by the regime, and it was only the few likes of Sheikh Al-Jamri who braved a stand, and in the process, sacrificed their wellbeing.

The world knew, though only lately, that the plight of Sheikh Al-Jamri was not very different from those of the freedom-fighters like Mandela. They had to pay a high price for the freedom not only of themselves but of their countrymen. Sheikh Al-Jamri, the judge, the poet and the politician, had the choice of enjoying a life outside the torture chambers if he was ready to abandon the people of Bahrain to their plight under the repressive rule, as many did. But a man of his calibre and ethical standing would certainly prefer to spend his life with the dispossessed in the Al-Khalifa prisons.

He had to endure unlimited amount of torture, both physical and psychological, but that was his preferred choice. And in the courtroom at Jaw, Al-Jamri stood up to the charged levelled against him. He challenged the abusers of political power on every count, and had to be the master of the courtroom. He dismissed the charges as nonsense, and reiterated his determination to continue the struggle to attain democracy and respect of human rights for his people. The conscience of the world arose the passions of large numbers of human rights activists.

It suddenly became a trial of the regime by the celebrated judge. His chains did not prevent him from raising his voice challenging the judge on accounts of incitement, spying, falsifying news and forming illegal organisation. He said “I am here because of my insistence on the reinstatement of the elected National Assembly”.

The chained champion had suffered immensely. He was firstly detained in solitary confinement for nine months and twelve days starting from 21 January 1996. Then he was subjected to rounds of solitary confinements, torture and threats. The peak of torture occurred in March and April 1998. In a period of six weeks, Sheikh Al-Jamri lost 6 kg of his weight and was near to death.

A British officer together with the torturer Adel Flaifel and several interrogators encircled him for hours on end, every day, and at all extreme and awkward times. During these interrogations, he had been placed in solitary confinement and had been subjected to all forms of smearing and threats. The torturers wanted him to sign papers saying that he is “responsible” for every thing that took place in Bahrain and that he is in contact with a foreign country.

The encircling torturers threatened: “we will kill all members of your family one by one”, “we have your wife in the next room and she will be raped”, etc. These torturers wanted Sheikh Al-Jamri to sign their pre-prepared papers in front of an “investigating judge”. According to the unconstitutional law, the State Security Court accepts confessions signed in front of an investigated judge as admissible evidence. At the end, Sheikh Al-Jamri refused to sign the pre-prepared confessions in front of such judge. He declared on 21 February “You have no evidence against me” .

Had it not been for the intervention of the Red Cross last April, Sheikh Al-Jamri might have lost his life under the torturous conditions he had been subjected to. Despite the fact that Sheikh Al-Jamri had completed his third year in detention on 21 January 1999, he had not been released. The court session on 21 February violated even the State Security Law that says a person must be released at the end of the third year. The court also violated its own rules since Sheikh Al-Jamri had not signed any paper in front of an investigating judge.

Who is the guilty? Is it the man who employed the softest language in his popular addresses to the nation whilst calling for the establishment of the rule of law in the country or the torturers who killed more than forty young men, women and children and who tortured hundreds of detainees? Who carried out the carnage in Sanabis, Duraz, Shakhoora, Karbabad, Bilad al-Qadeem and Nowaidrat? Why is the trial being held behind a wall of secrecy?

The verdict of the trial of Sheikh Al Jamri has already been announced by more than twelve international human rights organisations, who have been denied access to the trial. They sensed a sinister motive behind the refusal of their attendance. If the regime had nothing to hide and the accused is guilty, why weren’t they allowed to attend?

Statements, articles and communiques were issued to describe the whole event by these groups. Their wording may be different but the essence is the same. As long as the notorious State Security Court remains outside the bound of international laws and standards, its verdicts will always be considered null and void.

Sheikh Al Jamri is not guilty of any crime, and the criminals are those who kill and maim in the name of maintaining security outside the rule of constitutional law. Sheikh Al Jamri is too dear to the people of Bahrain to be sacrificed in this way.

Bahrain Freedom Movement

1 March 1999

Fax: (44) 171 278 9089

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9 March 1999: (London – Dow Jones): “Oppositionists in Bahrain seeking restitution of a national assembly will write to the country’s new ruler in days, seeking negotiations, as leading campaigner told dow Jones.”

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