Bahraini Opposition Carefully Welcomes Invite to Dialogue

Local Editor

Bahrain's Ministry of Justice stressed on Wednesday that it "spoke with opposition parties to assign representatives in national dialogue and set the first meeting for political dialogue."
Bahraini opposition parties highlighted on Tuesday that it "welcomes and stresses reaching a political just and comprehensive solution that achieves stability and assurance in Bahrain."

It further emphasized "its seriousness in engaging in dialogue and a serious political negotiation, that responds to the Bahraini people's demands calling for liberty, dignity, and justice."
Moreover, the opposition's parties indicated in a statement that "any real and serious dialogue must guarantee accord upon participants and their agendas," underscoring, "consensus must be reached either by a constitutional council or by a referendum, so that the people would be the ones to accept or refuse based on international standards and customs."

Furthermore, the opposition called on "the necessity to agree upon a clear and hasty schedule to implement the agreement through a mutual execution party."
"Any engagement in dialogue aims at meeting the people's demands and insuring its implementation," the opposition stated.

The opposition parties, including al-Wefaq, al-Ikhaa, The National Democratic Action Society (Wa'ad), al-Watani al-Wehdawi (National Unionist), and the National Gathering, reiterated in its statement that it will continue "its pursuit to meet the just demands of Bahrainis through negotiation and popular, political, media, and human rights work."

Moreover, it highlighted, "its purpose is to build a democratic, secure, and stable Bahrain free of political prisoners and far from political and security turmoil."
For his part, an official in "al-Wefaq" National Society Khalil al-Marzouk stressed on Tuesday that "the opposition will participate and assign representatives in this dialogue, and we look forward to holding a serious dialogue."
He added that the opposition parties "focus on means of reaching a constitutional royal regime and an elected government."
Likewise, the Minister of State for Media Affairs, Samira Rajab stated on Tuesday, "The invitation was issued for all Bahraini political parties."
The Bahrain News Agency (BNA) had cited her stating, "The government waits to see if any party refuses the invitation to dialogue, and is considerate to reach a national comprehensive consensus."
However, the former MP of al-Wefaq Bloc Matar Ibrahim Matar described Rajab's implication that the opposition might refuse dialogue as an "insincere call for dialogue."
On a similar note, the US Department of State stated on Wednesday, "The US welcomes King Hamad Bin Isa al Khalifa's invitation to a political comprehensive dialogue in Bahrain."

The US Department of State's spokesperson, Victoria Nuland, applauded "the positive reactions political groups in Bahrain expressed," inviting, "all parties to fully participate and commit to any effort exerted to meet the legitimate demands of Bahrainis."

Source: News Agencies, translated and edited by moqawama.org