Farr, Grijalva, Harkin Sign Bahrain Arms Deal Resolutions
Two additional cosponsors have been added to H.J. Res. 80, which calls for “limiting the issuance of a letter of offer with respect to a certain proposed sale of defense articles and defense services to the Kingdom of Bahrain,” originally introduced by Rep. James McGovern (D-MA). The new cosponsors include Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA) and Rep. Raul M. Grijalva (D-AZ). Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) has also been signed onto H.J. Res. 80′s companion resolution in the Senate S.J. Res. 28, introduced by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR).
The resolution limits the proposed arms sale, requiring the Secretary of State to “certify to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives” that the Government of Bahrain “is conducting good faith investigations and prosecutions of alleged perpetrators responsible for the killing, torture, arbitrary detention, and other human rights violations committed since February 2011,” among other measures ensuring the Government of Bahrain’s compliance with international human rights standards.
Meanwhile, Isabel Coles argues that “the future of U.S. military support for Bahrain, starting with a $53 million arms deal now on the line, hinges on the findings of a human rights investigation into the Gulf kingdom’s handling of popular protests earlier this year.” Some fear that while the BICI report, due on November 23, may serve as a “springboard for reform,” the report will not present a “strategic solution to the issue to prevent the recurrence of these problems” in the form of a renewed crackdown.
Please do a favor to the deprived people of Bahrain by passing this message to the US Adm. Mrs. Clinton and US Amb. Mr. Krajeski.
As I am an independent Bahrain advise you to get away of Bahrain critical issue. The revolts have determine to continue until the full downfall of this regime. When pass through the roads and places I heard old women, men, kids boys calling “down with Hamad”. I assure you reforms, however, would be useful to cease such revolts. Please conceive most people have boycotted the latest election. It means, that all Shiite have strongly and categorically dismiss thi regime. BICi report will add categoricaly nothing to the tension. I admonish to the American to be wise and equal and do not waste time for nothing. The shiite have deprived of their rights for two hundred years. This is their time to retrieve their rights and do not stand against them. I heard that all the shitte hold the US Obama Adm. the full responsibility of supoorting this regime to brutalize and killing the people.
Please US people and Admin. be wise this revolt is nothing to do with Iran or Hizbulla its a national.
Regards
Bahrain