Sheikh Salman: National Dialogue a Joke, Bahrain Opposition Seeks Democratic Regime
Local Editor
Sheikh Ali Salman, Secretary General of al-Wefaq Bahraini opposition party confirmed that the Bahraini government is negotiating with itself in the so-called "national dialogue".
Sheikh Salman affirmed that the opposition only seeks the development of the regime, its purification, and not its overturn.
In an interview with the German News Agency, Sheikh Ali Salman clarified that al-Wefaq withdrew from dialogue because it believed the "national dialogue" was "a joke".
He stated, "There isn't any national dialogue in Bahrain, however there are government-follower parties, which were invited to the dialogue table to reiterate the government's stance".
"Therefore what is published and promoted in local papers regarding the consensus witnessed in the dialogue, over the importance of assigning a king for the government, are lies", al-Wefaq Secretary General further stressed.
Moreover, Sheikh Salman emphasized, "The opposition represents more than 60% of the Bahraini population; it refuses to accept the assigned government, and calls for an elected one. However, the [current] Bahraini government constantly lies, to the extent that sometimes it believes its own lies".
On another level, in reference to rumors indicating that al-Wefaq withdrew from the dialogue because it realized it only represented itself, Sheikh Ali Salman reaffirmed, "Let a neutral party like the UN conduct a referendum and ask the people whether they demand an elected or assigned government".
"We will comply with the results... because we realize our society's desire in having a democratic regime and an elected government", Sheikh Salman added.
"Those who are affected by a democratic transition are those with a dictator mentality", he said, also wondering why an elected government would be useful in all countries but in Bahrain.
Furthermore, Sheikh Salman reaffirmed, "Our demand is to have a democratic "kingdom" regime ruled by the al-Khalifa family. We are not demanding to have a Shiite Prime Minister, but we are demanding that the government should be formed from the majority parliamentary bloc, so that the society's will could be illustrated".
In another context, Sheikh Salman neglected any claims that the Bahraini opposition received aid from Iran. He stated, "The issue in Bahrain is local, however Iran wants to invest in its events. We do not want Iran or Saudi Arabia to interfere. In Bahrain we solve our issues among ourselves".
Since mid-February, Bahrain has been witnessing a popular anti-regime uprising calling for political and social reforms.
Sources: News Agencies
Sheikh Ali Salman, Secretary General of al-Wefaq Bahraini opposition party confirmed that the Bahraini government is negotiating with itself in the so-called "national dialogue".
Sheikh Salman affirmed that the opposition only seeks the development of the regime, its purification, and not its overturn.
In an interview with the German News Agency, Sheikh Ali Salman clarified that al-Wefaq withdrew from dialogue because it believed the "national dialogue" was "a joke".
He stated, "There isn't any national dialogue in Bahrain, however there are government-follower parties, which were invited to the dialogue table to reiterate the government's stance".
"Therefore what is published and promoted in local papers regarding the consensus witnessed in the dialogue, over the importance of assigning a king for the government, are lies", al-Wefaq Secretary General further stressed.
Moreover, Sheikh Salman emphasized, "The opposition represents more than 60% of the Bahraini population; it refuses to accept the assigned government, and calls for an elected one. However, the [current] Bahraini government constantly lies, to the extent that sometimes it believes its own lies".
On another level, in reference to rumors indicating that al-Wefaq withdrew from the dialogue because it realized it only represented itself, Sheikh Ali Salman reaffirmed, "Let a neutral party like the UN conduct a referendum and ask the people whether they demand an elected or assigned government".
"We will comply with the results... because we realize our society's desire in having a democratic regime and an elected government", Sheikh Salman added.
"Those who are affected by a democratic transition are those with a dictator mentality", he said, also wondering why an elected government would be useful in all countries but in Bahrain.
Furthermore, Sheikh Salman reaffirmed, "Our demand is to have a democratic "kingdom" regime ruled by the al-Khalifa family. We are not demanding to have a Shiite Prime Minister, but we are demanding that the government should be formed from the majority parliamentary bloc, so that the society's will could be illustrated".
In another context, Sheikh Salman neglected any claims that the Bahraini opposition received aid from Iran. He stated, "The issue in Bahrain is local, however Iran wants to invest in its events. We do not want Iran or Saudi Arabia to interfere. In Bahrain we solve our issues among ourselves".
Since mid-February, Bahrain has been witnessing a popular anti-regime uprising calling for political and social reforms.
Sources: News Agencies
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