King of Bahrain at Parliament's launch: we accept opposition that is nationalist
Bahrain, Politics, 12/16/2002

At the inauguration ceremony of the sessions of the first parliament in the country since 30 years, the King of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, had sent a clear message to the Bahraini opposition which boycotted the elections to reconsider their stand, calling on this opposition to be for the interests of Bahrain "ultimately."

In a speech he delivered before the parliament, the king said that the experience of Bahrain will "continue to accept any opinion and view as far as the opposition is linked to the soil of this land and preserving its national purity in spirit and content of loyalty and commitment to Bahrain."

In his speech, the king stressed that the priority should be concentrated on "economic growth and collective efforts in order to solve the problem of unemployment."

Worthy mentioning that the island whose population does not exceed 70,000 has been suffering since 1990s of unemployment and discrimination in recruitment of the Shiite who represent the majority of the population. This problem, however, was behind the wave of bloody protests most frequently in the last decade.

The opening of the works of the national council in Manama was attended by ministers, ambassadors and heads of societies except these societies which had boycotted the elections of last October in protest to the fact that appointed members in the Shoura council were given equal rights to that enjoyed by elected parliamentarians.

Previous Stories:
  King of Bahrain opens the parliament today   (12/14/2002)
  Bahraini ministry to fight corruption   (12/5/2002)
  Adel Fleifel status uncertain   (11/27/2002)

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