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(Despite the differences among the opposition groups, the protest movement
appeared to have kept its momentum. In central Manama, thousands of
demonstrators joined freed prisoners, many of whom paraded in pickup trucks, as
they headed for the Pearl roundabout, focal point of the antigovernment
demonstrations.
(Loudspeakers led the crowds in choruses of "no negotiation with the
government," and "down, down Hamad," in reference to Bahrain's ruler. On
Tuesday, more than 100,000 antigovernment protesters massed for the largest
rally since clashes erupted here last week.
=======================================================
WALL STREET JOURNAL
* MIDDLE EAST NEWS
* FEBRUARY 23, 2011, 5:17 P.M. ET
Bahrain Frees Political Prisoners as Opposition Outlines Demands
By JOE PARKINSON
MANAMA, Bahrain—Bahrain freed 308 political prisoners Wednesday and pardoned
two other men who have been in self-imposed exile, as opposition groups
outlined a series of potential demands that included the introduction of a
constitutional monarchy and the dissolution of the current government.
The grouping of seven main opposition parties, including major Shiite
opposition bloc Al-Wefaq as well as secular groups, outlined its core demands
in a news release. The proposals included the release of all political
prisoners, electoral reform, and the formation of a new "national salvation"
government, along with an independent investigation into the deaths of seven
protesters since the clashes here began over a week ago.
However, the list of demands risks dividing the more-moderate opposition
grouping that has been charged with articulating the issues, and the protesters
encamped on the square, many of whom are calling for sweeping regime change and
reject any dialogue with the ruling family.
Opposition leader Hassan Meshaima was one of the two exiles who has been
pardoned, opposition groups said. They said he was attempting to return to
Bahrain but had been detained in Lebanon because of a pre-existing
international warrant for his arrest on charges of subverting the Bahraini
monarchy.
View Full Image
bahrain0223
Associated Press
Bahraini Shiite cleric Mohammed Habib Moqdad waves to his supporters in Manama,
after he was released by Bahraini authorities along with 22 other Shiite
activists held on terrorism counts following a pardon announced by King Hamad
bin Issa al-Khalifa.
bahrain0223
bahrain0223
Bahrain's Ministry of Information said the prisoners released had been "subject
to criminal proceedings," but opposition politicians and human-rights activists
said they had been incarcerated for political activity, adding that around 300
political prisoners remained in jail.
Some 23 of the released prisoners and the two pardoned exiles had been accused
by the government of forming an illegal organization to overthrow the ruling
family, and of financing and engaging in terrorism. Others had been detained on
charges related to collaborating with the opposition or subverting the
monarchy, though the government didn't give additional details on those charges.
The release of the prisoners adds to pressure on the overwhelmingly Shiite
opposition to engage in direct talks with Bahrain's Sunni rulers, following
Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa's call for dialogue.
The seven groups given the task of unifying the opposition's message have been
struggling for four days to coordinate a response to the call for talks. Many
in the opposition cite the need for further concessions from the ruling family
after last week's violent crackdown which left seven people dead and hundreds
injured before they agree to direct talks. Others fear a replay of 2001, when
King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa pledged to devolve power into a constitutional
monarchy but pulled back a year later, leaving control in the hands of the
ruling family.
Mr. Meshaima leads the al-Haq political group, seen as more radical in its
views than the more moderate Shiite groups that have so far led protests. His
return could trigger stronger demands for political change. Some in the
opposition say that raises the specter of protracted political deadlock, which
could undermine the movement's ability to win reforms, or provide an opening
for more radical elements—in the government and in the opposition—to stoke
sectarian tensions between the Sunni ruling class and the Shiite majority.
The government has said the crown prince has made clear he intends to begin a
national dialogue with all sections of society to "move away from polarization
and ensure that sectarianism does not take root in Bahrain."
A failure to speak with one voice will dilute opposition demands, warned Ali
Abdulemam, a popular 33-year-old opposition blogger who was freed Wednesday
following six months in prison; he had been accused of trying to topple the
regime, but wasn't tried.
"The people need to decide if they want the royal family out of this country or
not, and quickly….If we manage these different opinions in our opposition we
can get what we want," he said.
Some of the freed prisoners alleged they had been mistreated or tortured by
Bahraini security services while in custody. Bahrain's government, in a
statement, said it took all claims of torture "very seriously" and would launch
an investigation.
Despite the differences among the opposition groups, the protest movement
appeared to have kept its momentum. In central Manama, thousands of
demonstrators joined freed prisoners, many of whom paraded in pickup trucks, as
they headed for the Pearl roundabout, focal point of the antigovernment
demonstrations.
Loudspeakers led the crowds in choruses of "no negotiation with the
government," and "down, down Hamad," in reference to Bahrain's ruler. On
Tuesday, more than 100,000 antigovernment protesters massed for the largest
rally since clashes erupted here last week.
Underlining the potential regional fallout from Bahrain's crisis, King Hamad on
Wednesday traveled to Saudi Arabia to greet Saudi King Abdullah, who returned
to Riyadh Wednesday after an extended period of medical treatment outside the
country.
Write to Joe Parkinson at joe.parkin...@dowjones.com
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WALTER LIPPMANN
Havana, Cuba
Editor-in-Chief, CubaNews
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CubaNews/
"Cuba - Un Paraíso bajo el bloqueo"
=========================================
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