WASHINGTON (AFP)-the United States welcomed Bahrain national dialogue, which got under way Saturday, said the participation of the main Shiite opposition block added an "important voice" to the negotiations.
Authorities in Sunni-ruled archipelago had come under enormous pressure from their Western allies to open a dialogue with the opposition, including the Islamic National Accord Association (Al-Wefaq), after security forces crushed protests in the middle of the month-long March with military backing from Gulf neighbours.
Sentence triggered an outcry from international human rights groups and so that this year's Bahrain Grand Prix cancelled and the Mexican State credit rating cut.
Washington was encouraged by the "decision of the Al-Wefaq, Bahrain's largest opposition political society to join the national dialogue recently announced King Hamad," said State Department Mark Tones.
"Al-Wefags participation will add an important voice of Bahrain political opposition to a process that has the potential to serve as a vehicle for reform and reconciliation ... and produce reforms which will respond to the legitimate desire of Bahrain people," he said in a statement.
Dialogue, together with the King's June 29 announcement of an independent Commission to probe the bloody penalty of Röhm's anti-regime protests, is evidence that "the Government of Bahrain takes concrete steps which could contribute to national unity and stability," Toner added.
Small but strategic Bahrain, home base of the fleet the fifth us have experienced repeated bouts of unrest among its Shiite majority population and a Sunni ruling family.
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