Bahrain and Gulf allies "on the wrong track" - Clinton

[Turborama]

Source: Reuters

By Lin Noueihed
MANAMA | Wed Mar 16, 2011 7:12pm GMT

(Reuters) - Bahraini forces, backed by troops sent by neighbouring Saudi Arabia, drove protesters from the streets using tear gas, tanks and helicopters on Wednesday, prompting rare criticism from their U.S. allies.

Up to six people were killed in the violence which fuelled regional confrontation between Sunni Gulf Arab states and non-Arab Shi'ite Iran.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a television interview on Wednesday Bahrain and its allies who have sent troops to help it put down anti-government demonstrations are on the wrong track.

"We find what's happening in Bahrain alarming. We think that there is no security answer to the aspirations and demands of the demonstrators," Clinton told CBS in an interview, urging Bahrain to negotiate a political agreement with demonstrators. "We have also made that very clear to our Gulf partners who are part of the Gulf Cooperation Council, four of whose members have sent troops to support the Bahraini government. They are on the wrong track," Clinton added according to a U.S. pool reporter who attended the interview

Read more: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/03/16/uk-bahrain-protests-idUKTRE72E24K20110316?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews

[JCMach1]

1. We have leverage in-place in Bahrain... tell them to GTFO

[Johnny_dollar]

4. It would be nice to see her criticize to genocide in Gaza. n/t

[No Elephants]

2. K & R, but good luck with jawboning.

[pampango]

3. Better she said it than not, but talk is unlikely to change Saudi Sunnis from

helping Bahraini Sunnis keep power from the Shia majority in Bahrain.