Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Bahrain tensions as US democracy representative expelled

MANAMA - Bahrain’s decision to expel the representative of a US-based pro-democracy organization from the country has triggered concerns over US-Bahrain relations prior to upcoming elections. The head of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) office in Manama, Fawzi Guleid, had been given till Friday to leave the country after his permit visa expired and the government refused to renew it.

Guleid would not comment on the decision but he reportedly began preparation to leave the country after being informed of the government’s decision.

The Bahrain Institute for Political Development (BIPD), formed by the government late last year, had demanded that NDI seek prior approval of contacts with Bahraini civic groups.

NDI, which promotes democracy worldwide and is affiliated with the US Democratic Party, was invited to Bahrain to help the nascent democratic transformation after the launch of reforms in 2001.

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