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Rein UK based propagandists
By MANDEEP SINGH
Published: 4th August 2008
ALLEGATIONS that the UK is being used as a cauldron to stir up political strife in Bahrain have prompted MPs to seek a meeting with British Ambassador Jamie Bowden.
It comes less than two weeks after His Majesty King Hamad warned Bahraini societies, associations and individuals against forming external allegiances.
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Rein UK based propagandists
By MANDEEP SINGH
Published: 4th August 2008
ALLEGATIONS that the UK is being used as a cauldron to stir up political strife in Bahrain have prompted MPs to seek a meeting with British Ambassador Jamie Bowden.
It comes less than two weeks after His Majesty King Hamad warned Bahraini societies, associations and individuals against forming external allegiances.
MP Jassim Al Saeedi claimed yesterday that a number of Bahrainis in the UK had acquired British nationality and were now waging propaganda campaigns to undermine the country’s development.
“We are told these people, who go to Britain alleging ‘political persecution’ at home, end up getting British passports,” he said. “Then they badmouth everything that is happening in the country – whether it is what the parliament is doing or the country’s bureaucracy.
“These people might be within their rights to say what they want, but is it fair they air their grievances publically and for the world to hear and react to?
“After all, they are Bahrainis. Don’t they feel any love for their country?
“If they have grievances and feel something we are doing is not right, we encourage them to tell us directly.”
The MP, who is a member of the pro-government Al Asala bloc, said a group of parliamentarians now planned to air their grievances at the British Embassy.
“We hope that the British government pays attention to these activities and puts an end to them,” he said.
He was unable to say how many people were using the UK as a launch pad for alleged anti-government activities.
However, he said the issue could make it to the parliament’s agenda.
He added that no date for a meeting had yet been fixed with the ambassador.
British Embassy officials were unavailable for comment last night.
It is not the first time Bahraini officials have sought a meeting with the ambassador regarding opposition activists in the UK.
Interior Minister Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa met Mr Bowden for a similar reason in March – accusing Bahrainis of using the UK as a platform to orchestrate unrest at home.
He claimed activists were using the excuse of asylum to form cells, which threatened security both in the UK and Bahrain.
It was also alleged that some of them could have forged illegal contacts with compatriots in Lebanon and Iran.
Mr Bowden then said he was aware of Bahrain’s concerns, adding the relationship between the two countries continued to remain cordial.
The embassy’s Deputy Head of Mission at the time, Stephen Harrison, later said colleagues had taken the accusations seriously and informed security officials in the UK.
He added the embassy had listened to the concerns of the Interior Minister and reported them to the UK, including to the Home Office.
mandeep@gdn.com.bh
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http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/1yr_arc_Articles.asp?Article=225351&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=31137&date=8-4-2008
