The US has urged all parties to engage in the multilateral national dialogue and explore a purely Bahraini settlement to the current impasse.
“Any dialogue has to be a Bahraini process and explore Bahrain-made solutions”, the US Embassy in Bahrain said. It issued a statement following a meeting with a group of protestors to hear their concerns and clarify the US Administration’s policy.
The Embassy officials reiterated the historic strategic partnership bonding Bahrain and the US. “The US is committed to its partnership with the Government and people of Bahrain”, the statement said, affirming the resolve to continue working on a wide scope with NGOs representatives.
The US administration has also extended full support for the steps by the Government to defuse tensions, hailing the initiative of HRH the Crown Prince and his pledge to conduct a comprehensive and inclusive national dialogue. “We urge all parties to engage immediately in a multilateral dialogue that takes into account Bahrainis’ legitimate aspirations”, the statement said, stressing the need for dialogue to include parties to yield tangible procedures and reforms. The US Embassy officials and other senior visitors, including US Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs Jeffrey Feltman, had already met Government officials and representatives of NGOs to hear their concerns and aspirations.
“Bahrain has now a unique opportunity to reach a wide consensus on the nature of reforms which will ensure all Bahrainis participation making decisions affecting their lives directly. The US Embassy also stressed the need to avoid tabling pre-emptive results and pre-conditions not to abort the national dialogue initiative. “The US Administrative considers that participating in the comprehensive dialogue is the best way to push forward”, the statement added.