Bahraini.TV

Official of US institute leaves

by mahmood on 13/05/06 at 12:05 pm · email  · print  

National Democratic Institute official Fawzi Guleid (third from right, back row), during a farewell ceremony held in his honour on Thursday night in Manama. EPA

National Democratic Institute, Bahrain Programme Officer Fawzi Guleid yesterday left Bahrain amid uncertainties about the future of the Washington-based institute in Manama.

Guleid had been asked by immigration authorities to leave by yesterday because his expired residency had not been renewed by the Bahrain Institute for Political Development, his sponsor.

Although the delay was later extended until the end of June to allow his middle school son to finish the academic year, Guleid preferred to fly back to Washington yesterday. While mainly liberal activists expressed concern that this would mean the end of NDI in Bahrain, Sunni and Shiite Islamists saw it as a reduction of American power in the region.

For US Ambassador to Bahrain William Monroe, the possible termination of NDI activities in Bahrain would be a great disappointment.

“I think NDI has done excellent work in Bahrain in the last few years and I know that many people across the political spectrum in Bahrain have expressed appreciation for the programmes that NDI has carried out here. And the government has many times said that it values the work that NDI has done in Bahrain, and that it would like NDI to continue,” Monroe said in an interview to be published today in Al Ayam.

“Departure of the NDI would seem to run counter to the positive direction of Bahrain’s reform movement. We urge the parties to move quickly to reach an agreement to allow NDI to continue its programmes here,” he said.

Bahrain Institute for Political Development head Lulwa Al Awadi said that Guleid’s residency had not been renewed because NDI failed to respond to calls to regularise its situation.

Al Awadi added that the NDI’s activities were illegal because the Law of Political Association prevented foreign organisations from funding political societies.

At a farewell party hosted by mainly liberal activists and supporters on Thursday evening, Guleid asked the societies to work together and to be actively involved in state institutions. “Preserving civil society organisations, particularly, political associations, is a great way to develop democracy in Bahrain,” he said at the poignant party.

Supporter Mohammad Fadhel criticised the decision not to renew Guleid’s residency. “Arabs import a wide range of US products, but refuse the best American assets: democratic traditions and open dialogue,” he said. Activist Muneera Fakhro hoped that the authorities would allow NDI to continue its activities, saying that it has had positive impact on Bahrain’s civil societies.
Gulf News :: Habib Toumi :: 13 May ’06