DON’T SPOIL BAHRAIN’S TREMENDOUS PROGRESS, By Roque Manuel Coutinho, Quepem

Sir,

I would like to congratulate Shaima U for the letter (GDN Feburary 20) written about the situation in Bahrain and the Leadership which is absolutely the truth. As for the foreign T.V. channels broadcasting on the situation, especially Al Jazeera that I have been monitoring.They are disgusting and should be banned from broadcasting to the world.

They have lied and destroyed the peace and harmony of this beautiful Island Bahrain. They should have listened to both sides confirmed what they have heard and then broadcasted their story. Have they bothered to visit the injured policemen and get their side of the story. They were only doing their duty to keep peace and harmony on the Island and if it was a peaceful democratic protest (as the protesters claim) why have the policemen suffered those terrible injuries which show deadly weapons were used.

I had first come to Bahrain in 1980 and after working here for a couple of years left with beautiful memories reluctantly. There were people from different caste and race of the world rich and poor but all with a smiling and satisfied face. Except for a few disgruntled people there was peace and tranquility under the leadership of the then Amir Sheikh Isa. I have come back after 20 years on a visit visa and can not believe my eyes Bahrain has developed tremendously under the leadership of King Hamad who has really turned Bahrain into a paradise and a beautiful place to live in. he has given the citizens and expartrites more than they would have ever had if they had lived elsewhere.

Free education, healthcare for all,equal rights,free training programmes, free business setup,Development advice, Grants, Freedom of press, Freed political prisoners and convicted criminals, Abolished some strict laws and courts, Women are free to study, drive, work and dress as they deem fit and especially jobs for everyone who really wants to work and make something of their lives. There is no starvation, homeless and beggars on the streets everyone is looked after. Even school dropouts earn not less than BD200.

No where in the world have I seen or heard of people being well looked after by their leadership. I have read the Bahrain National Charter which is on the net and I think it is a good one. Coming to the disgruntled opposition and especially the leader I am sure he has read it or is a fool to be the leader of the opposition. I am sure he and his party members voted for the charter as did 98.4% of the citizens did. Now he says that the people of Bahrain want a change in the Government and the constitution let me ask him is 20000 or 30000 instigated protesters the population of Bahrain that want what he claims they want. It is nothing but dividing the people of Bahrain to gain power and satisfy his greed and that of his cronnies. I don’t think those protesting and destroying the peace and tranquility of God fearing and peace loving Bahrainis are the majority who want a change in the government and constitution. Why now not then ( when the charter was put to vote) this protest.

This is all a conspiracy by disgruntled politicians who are greedy for power and their personal gains. All the Bahrainis who love their country are satisfied with the leadership and the charter and would never resort to what has created this dreadful situation.It is my earnest request to all those protesters who are not satisfied here in Bahrain please take your instigators find a land that will give you your satisfaction which I am sure you will never find. Do not cut the hand that feeds you. I wish I was a Bahraini and would gladly swap my citizenship with one of these thoughtless protesters. God bless Bahrain, King Hamad and the loyal Bahrainis.