Arab, foreign observers prevented from taking part; Bahrain: constitutional conference calls on the government for dialogue
Bahrain, Politics, 2/16/2004

In conclusion of the "constitutional conference" which was held in Manama yesterday, four opposition Bahraini political societies called on the government for "dialogue" stressing "commitment to the national labor work and constitutional monarchy," including the principle of "political and party pluralism and a rotating authority."

The convening of the conference which included political parties, civil society groups, independents activists and observers raised a controversy during the two past days because of the government's banning of Arab and foreign participants invited to the conference from entering the country on Friday to attend it.

The conference was organized by the Islamic national reconciliation societies which represent the main trend among the Shiite and the democratic national work ( a coalition of left, nationalists and independents ) the Islamic work ( Shiite expressing the trends of Shirazi ), the democratic national coalition ( Baathists nationalists). These societies boycotted the legislative elections in Bahrain in October 2002 in protest of constitutional amendments it considered giving equal legislative authorities for the elected Parliament and the Shoura council that is appointed by the government.

In the final statement of the "constitutional conference," the societies stressed " total commitment to dialogue for every political agreement" and called on the party to "make a serious national dialogue with the opposition sides in order to reach a solution for the constitutional crisis."

The societies also stressed "commitment to articles of the national work charter to that the ruling system in Bahrain to be a constitutional monarchy" and the constitutional amendment to be confined to the state and the two councils system "and renewed rejection to any unilateral amendment of the constitution."

The societies indicated attachement to the "inheritance royal ruling system" and the ruling system to be democratic in which sovereignty goes to people, the source of authorities. It said that it will issue "a citizen petition expressing the views of the people of Bahrain, according to decisions issued by the conference."

Previous Stories:
  Bahraini political societies organize a conference amid government's rejection   (2/14/2004)
  Al-Shara makes telephone talks with Bahrain peer   (2/14/2004)
  Bahrain's parliament questions three ministers   (1/22/2004)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search