US Senator Thomas J. Rooney received Bahraini Parliamentary delegation led by the Chairman of the Shura Council’s Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Dr. Salah Ali. During the meeting, Senator Thomas Rooney called upon all parties in the Kingdom to engage in the National Consensus Dialogue as the best platform in which all groups can work out new reforms that will restore stability and security and enable the kingdom to join the democratically-advanced countries.
Both sides also noted that the establishment of a “modern democratic state” can be achieved on through “quiet, thorough and reasonable” dialogue through which partners can agree on a new chapter of hope and achievements for the kingdom that add to the comprehensive reforms attained since the massive popular adoption of the National Action Charter. Thomas Rooney also said that he was looking forward to visiting Bahrain again because it is a “civilized” country, adding that American people are proud of the kingdom’s hosting of the 5th US Fleet. He also praised the kingdom as a haven of religious tolerance and co-existence. On their part, members of the parliamentary delegation informed the US Senator on the steps taken ahead of the start of the National Consensus Dialogue next July 1, emphasizing that it will offer a historical opportunity for all sides to discuss all issues in order to overcome all challenges facing the kingdom.
They also briefed him on the regretful incidents that the country went through recently, asserting that they disrupted national security, civic peace and the development march. They also pointed out that development and reform policies are not new in the kingdom, asserting that Bahrain has embarked on a successful reform march since His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s Accession to the Throne. The two sides also rejected all attempts to create a state of chaos and security disruption across the nation, expressing deep regret over attempts to distort the kingdom’s civilizational image through harming expatriate communities.
They also expressed hope that the current crisis will fade away quickly, consolidate national cohesion and loyalty to the wise leadership and promote security and civic peace. Ways of bolstering bilateral cooperation at levels, especially the parliamentary one, as well as regional and global issues of mutual concern were also spotlighted.