The New Dark Age

6 April 2011 — creative-i.info

Dangerous change rattles Bahrain
Asia Times Online
By Derek Henry Flood MANAMA – Arriving at Bahrain’s small, formerly passive, international airport, two undesirable types of travelers are being singled out: those appearing to be journalists and those believed to be of Lebanese origin, irrespective of …
www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/MD07Ak01.html

Iran clerics denounce Saudi troop deployment in Bahrain, condemn its ruler
The Canadian Press
TEHRAN, Iran — Iranian clerics have denounced Iran’s regional rival Saudi Arabia for putting down anti-government protests in the Gulf kingdom of Bahrain. In recent weeks, Saudi troops have been helping the Sunni monarchy in Bahrain suppress a …
www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5iolaIZMc0A_L5e7PEG3VW2W6RpeQ?docId=6479111

Bahrain deports 2 reporters of opposition paper
The Associated Press
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Bahraini authorities on Tuesday
deported two journalists working for the opposition’s main newspaper, their
colleagues said. The government has accused Al Wasat newspaper of unethical
coverage of the Shiite uprising …
www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iIFVU5L-GFlgTQw-WH2EwK3eMLCQ?docId=35a09a80ef5443bb94d440f781bc9285

10:00 Turkey’s FM in Bahrain warns against sectarian divide
http://www.worldbulletin.net
Davutoglu said that a tension on Sunni-Shi’ite divide could cause very
negative outcomes in Bahrain. Turkish foreign minister said on Tuesday that
Turkey supported reforms in Bahrain. Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu held
a press conference with …
www.worldbulletin.net/?aType=haber&ArticleID=72142

FM visits Kuwaiti Navy in Bahrain
Arab Times
MANAMA, April 5, (KUNA): Kuwait Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister
Sheikh Dr Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah stressed here Tuesday the
important role played by Kuwaiti navy troops working within the Peninsula
Shield force in protecting Bahrain …
www.arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/167610/t/FM-visits-Kuwaiti-Navy-in-Bahrain/Default.aspx

Bahrain MPs seek clear land strategy
Trade Arabia
Parliament has called on the government to come up with clear strategies
for empty plots of land in Bahrain. MPs said that the government should be
detailing what projects would be carried out and whether they would be used
for government or private …
www.tradearabia.com/news/newsdetails.asp?Sn=LAW&artid=196427

Analysis: Oil and state spending to boost Gulf despite unrest
Reuters
Except for Bahrain, the direct economic impact in terms of lost output has
been tiny. But the protests have highlighted the potential for more trouble
if political issues are not resolved, and this is dampening the mood in the
private sector. …
www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/05/us-gulf-economy-idUSTRE7341VF20110405

Bahrain trade union HQ shut down
Trade Arabia
Bahrain’s biggest trade union shut down its headquarters in Adliya after
rumours that international human right activists were planning to meet
sacked workers without their consent. The General Federation of Bahrain
Trade Unions (GFBTU) took the action …
www.tradearabia.com/news/newsdetails.asp?Sn=EDU&artid=196410

Bahrain: Still fighting for change
Aljazeera.net
On March 9, 2011, Al Jazeera English broadcast an episode of People & Power
profiling the February 14th Youth Movement protesting at Bahrain’s Pearl
Roundabout. Since then everyone who was interviewed on the programme has
either been arrested or is in …
english.aljazeera.net/programmes/peopleandpower/2011/04/20114511175261498.html

Bahraini Medical Complex Reports Missing Medicine, Suspects Foul Play to …
PR Newswire (press release)
MANAMA, Bahrain, April 5, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Gulf Daily News
reports that a large stash of medical supplies from Bahrain’s Salmaniya
Medical Complex (SMC) has gone missing. The Medical Complex had been used
as an operations center for the …
www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bahraini-medical-complex-reports-missing-medicine-suspects-foul-play-to-fabricate-violence-during-protests-119281994.html

High Tide: From Bahrain Easing AML Laws To ‘I’ve Taken A Bribe And I’d Do It …
Wall Street Journal (blog)
Bahrain’s Shura Council eased anti-money laundering regulations against the
advice of the government. (Trade Arabia) Dominican Republic official said
the local financial sector isn’ta haven for money laundering because it has
to report suspicious …
blogs.wsj.com/corruption-currents/2011/04/05/high-tide-from-bahrain-easing-aml-laws-to-ive-taken-a-bribe-and-id-do-it-again/?mod=google_news_blog

Bahrain blocks website over attack calls
Trade Arabia
A Bahrain website that collected names and addresses of security personnel
and encouraged people to attack them is among those to have been blocked by
authorities, it has emerged. However, a senior Information Affairs
Authority’s (IAA) Publications and …
www.tradearabia.com/news/newsdetails.asp?Sn=IT&artid=196426

PHR Reports Disappearances of at Least Two Bahraini Doctors in Past 24 Hours
ReliefWeb (press release)
April 5, 2011 – According to Physicians for Human Rights’ investigators
in Bahrain, doctors are disappearing as part of a systematic attack on
medical staff. Today PHR investigators learned that two physicians are
missing following interrogations by …
www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/KKAA-8FN3NS?OpenDocument

‘US whited sepulcher on Islam bashing’
Press TV
An interview with Rodney Shakespeare, Chairman of the Committee Against
Torture in Bahrain, from London. Washington has encouraged the Bahraini
government to murder its own citizens as evidenced by a statement by US
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, …
www.presstv.ir/detail/173350.html

Bahrain’s Base Politics
Foreign Affairs
For years, Pentagon officials took comfort in the relative stability of
Bahrain, which serves as a major base for the US military. But the protests
in the country have raised concerns that it will evict US forces — part of
a broader pattern that is …
www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/67700/alexander-cooley-and-daniel-h-nexon/bahrains-base-politics

‘Human tragedy unfolding in Bahrain’
Press TV
Scores have been killed and thousands injured as the Bahraini government
continues its violent crackdown on peaceful demonstrators. In an interview
with Press TV, Bahraini opposition leader Saeed al-Shahabi shares his views
on the government’s violence …
www.presstv.ir/detail/173223.html

Urgent; New Wave of Arrests in Bahrain
ABNA.ir
(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) – Bahraini security forces who were backed by
Saudi forces attacked the home of “Allamah Sheikh Muhammad Ali Mahfuz”,
destroyed the furniture and beat up and moved his 16 year old son
“Hasan” to an unknown location. …
abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&id=235083

Qom urges Muslim scholars to break silence on Bahrain atrocities
Tehran Times
TEHRAN – Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom has issued a statement in
condemnation of violent suppression of Bahraini protesters, calling on the
Muslim ulama (scholars) in the world to break their silence about merciless
killing of Bahraini people. …
www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=238047

FP Passport: “He only wanted a better Bahrain”
Foreign Policy (blog)
At 3 .am on March 30, policemen entered the home of blogger Mohammed
Al-Maskati, who had been covering recent events in Bahrain by Twitter
(@emoodz) and video. The men were wearing masks, and didnt show ID; they
didn’t say where — or for how long …
blog.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/04/05/moderate_blogger_detained_in_bahrain_family_speaks_to_fp

Grand Ayatollah Golpaygani Demands Saudi King to Withdaraw Forces from Bahrain …
ABNA.ir
(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) – Grand shia Ayatollah expressed regret over the
American-favored government of Saudi king and urged his forces to leave
Bahrain immediately and apologize all Muslims. Senior cleric, Ayatollah
Lotfollah Safi Golpaygani in a …
abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&id=235116

‘Bahrain mutilates killed protesters’
Press TV
Manama regime and Saudi-led forces in Bahrain remove the body organs of
those killed in anti-government protests, a political observer says. “The
bodies of the youths, who are being taken out of hospitals and killed, are
being returned to their …
www.presstv.ir/detail/173197.html

Iranian Grand Shia Clerics and Islamic Scholars in gathering against Bahrain …
ABNA.ir
(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) – Jurisprudents, Islamic Scholars and elites took
participate in the gathering staged on Wednesday in Qom to condemn the
cruel behavior towards the innocent Bahraini people. Ayatollah Lotfollah
Safi Golpaigani, Naser Makarem …
abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&id=235125

Foreign Investors Uneasy Amid Bahrain Violence
WMUK 102.1 FM
The nation’s Sunni royal family, with tacit US backing, has cracked down on
largely Shiite protesters demanding political and economic reforms. But
even as the kingdom moves swiftly to protect its status as a stable banking
and financial hub for the …
wmuk.org/news/?select_article=1&pkeyNewsItemID=179305

Bahrain: Gulf island’s financial sector hit hard by unrest
Euromoney Magazine
by Dominic O’Neill Political tension looks likely to end Bahrain’s claim to
be the Gulf’s financial centre. It might also lead to debt restructuring
and defaults among already struggling investment banks headquartered on the
island, especially the …
www.euromoney.com/Article/2799426/CurrentIssue/81848/Bahrain-Gulf-islands-financial-sector-hit-hard-by-unrest.html

Bahrain Deports Reporters of Opposition Paper
WILX-TV
Reporter: Associated Press Friends and relatives chant anti-government
slogans during the funeral of Mahmoud Maki Abu Taki, 22, who died during
clashes between Bahraini anti-government protesters and riot police on
Thursday, in Sitra village, Bahrain, …
www.wilx.com/news/headlines/Bahrain_Deports_Reporters_of_Opposition_Paper_119243989.html?storySection=comments

Pakistan: Bahrain agrees to augment defence ties with Pakistan
The Muslim News
ISLAMABAD, (Dawn): Confronted with an uprising at home, the visiting
Bahraini foreign minister agreed on Tuesday to greater defence cooperation
with Pakistan and strengthening of bilateral economic and trade ties.
Bahrain`s Foreign Minister Shaikh …
www.muslimnews.co.uk/news/news.php?article=19975

Update on Bahrain – The Angry Arab News Service
By As’ad AbuKhalil
A source sent me this: “It seems like the Bahraini government has finally
succeeded in their crackdown. Yesterday they closed down Al Wasat Newspaper
– the country’s only opposition newspaper and then reopened it with a new
editor that …
angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/04/update-on-bahrain.html

Bahrain and Saudi Arabia’s Rulers Goose-Step to the Brink of the …
By realistic bird
In recent days, Bahrain has used live ammunition—shotguns—against
demonstrators and blanketed Manama with checkpoints, some manned by
personnel masked with sinister black balaclavas. After a group of Shia
legislators resigned in protest …
realisticbird.wordpress.com/2011/04/05/bahrain-and-saudi-arabias-rulers-goose-step-to-the-brink-of-the-abyss/

Anti-Mullah: IRAN CONFRONTING SAUDIS IN BAHRAIN
By Alan Peters
In the third week of March, debkafile reveals, King Hamad agreed to hand
over to Riyadh control Bahrain’s defense, external, financial and domestic
security affairs. The Saudi king’s son Prince Mutaib was confirmed by the
two monarchs …
noiri.blogspot.com/2011/04/iran-confronting-saudis-in-bahrain.html

Foreign Investors Uneasy Amid Bahrain Violence | 89.3 KPCC
The nation’s Sunni royal family, with tacit U.S. backing, has cracked down
on largely Shiite protesters demanding political and economic reforms. But
even as the kingdom moves swiftly to protect its status as a stable banking
and …
www.scpr.org/news/2011/04/05/foreign-investors-uneasy-amid-bahrain-violence/

Bahrain cracks down on country’s Shiite majority | WBEZ
For awhile, it looked like Bahrain’s Sunni minority government might
negotiate with the Shiite protesters camped out in the capital city Manama.
That window of possibility closed after security forces fired on a crowd of
demonstrators …
www.wbez.org/episode-segments/2011-04-05/bahrain-cracks-down-countrys-shiite-majority-84769

OP-ED: Misunderstanding Bahrain’s Shia Protesters — Global …
By editors
MANAMA, Apr 4, 2011 (IPS/Al Jazeera) – Listening to the rhetoric coming
out of Tehran, one might assume that Bahrain’s Shia opposition is relying
on help from its co-religionists next door. But, in fact, the opposite is
true: the Shia …
globalgeopolitics.net/wordpress/2011/04/05/op-ed-misunderstanding-bahrains-shia-protesters/

Lebanon news – NOW Lebanon -Bahrain: Ticking bomb of the Gulf
Bahraini protesters had moderate demands: a new government headed by a
prime minister chosen by the parliament (Council of Deputies). They hoped
that free elections would produce a fairer representation of the population
in a parliament …
www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=258261

Bahrain firms fire hundreds of strikers in crackdown | Politics …
By BO News Network
Askar (Arabic: Ÿ””—?) is a village on the south eastern coast of
Bahrain. It is inhabited by members of the Al Buainain tribe, among others.
It is also home to the shrine of Sa’sa’a bin Sohan, a companion of Imam
Ali. …
www.politicsbo.com/bahrain-firms-fire-hundreds-of-strikers-in-crackdown-530.html

Bahrain deports 2 reporters of opposition paper | The Associated …
By The Associated Press
Bahraini authorities on Tuesday deported two journalists working for the
opposition’s main newspaper, their colleagues said. The government has
accused Al Wasat newspaper of unethical coverage of the Shiite uprising
against the Sunni …
www.sfexaminer.com/news/2011/04/bahrain-deports-2-reporters-opposition-paper

AMERICAblog News: Bahrain fires workers who participated in protests
By Chris in Paris
News and opinion about US politics from a liberal/Democratic/progressive
perspective.
www.americablog.com/2011/04/bahrain-fires-workers-who-participated.html

Bahrain: Wave of Sackings, Threats and Violence against Workers …
By marquesdosmeister@gmail.com (José Marques…
In Bahrain as well as in the rest of the Gulf states, the Tunisian and
Egyptian method just doesn’t work to attain even the minimum goal of the
majority. Calling for negotiation as the ITUC does below, needless to say,
is no solution in …
sociologias-com.blogspot.com/2011/04/bahrain-wave-of-sackings-threats-and.html

Turkish mediation efforts underway to solve Bahrain crisis – Money …
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu travelled to Bahrain on Tuesday in
an effort to help resolve the worsening political crisis in the country.
www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20110406035242/Turkish_mediation_efforts_underway_to_solve_Bahrain_crisis

Rally and provocative speech in Iran against Saudi Arabia …
By editor
Rally and provocative speech in Iran against Saudi Arabia & Bahrain royals.
While a rally was organized by the Qum Seminary Teachers in different parts
of the country , in a provocative speech in presence of other influential
Ayatollahs …
www.lenziran.com/2011/04/06/rally-and-provocative-speech-in-iran-against-saudi-arabia-bahrain-royals/

Al Manakh “ Blog Archive “ Bahrain: A Roundabout Way to Signifying …
By Todd Reisz
The protests in Bahrain, and their brutal repression, have raised major
questions over its future as a regional financial hub, analysts say, with
banks acting to relocate employees and capital to elsewhere in the region
in case …
almanakh.org/?p=1406

Bahrain suspends Lebanon flights | Aviation | AMEinfo.com
Flights to and from Lebanon have been suspended by Gulf Air until March 31,
a day after the kingdom warned its nationals not to travel there following
…
www.ameinfo.com/260107.html

MRZine: International Trade Union Confederation, “Bahrain: Wave of Sackings, Threats and Violence against Workers and Union Representatives”
About 300 workers have been dismissed for taking part in the strike and in demonstrations, mainly from the aluminium company Alba (Aluminium Bahrain BSC) and the Khalifa Sea Port (driven by APM terminal). Around 40 workers have apparently also been dismissed by Gulf Air. Furthermore, the aluminium company Alba has announced that it will make its rules and procedures even tougher, notably through action in the courts against striking workers.

Morning Star: Khalifa clan’s crackdown sees paper muzzled
Bahraini authorities banned an opposition newspaper today in a widening effort to muzzle critical media in the US-allied kingdom.

Dissident Voice: Bahrain: A Legacy of Broken Promises
Stories of revolutions take a long time to be told. The tides of change currently sweeping across the Middle East – steadily rattling one kleptocratic autocrat after the next – will amaze and no doubt exhaust the energies of subsequent generations as they attempt to build a theoretical edifice against which the overpowering outburst of collective human sentiment currently being witnessed gains some veritable empirical sense of meaning.