Anyone who has been reading newspapers in the GCC states and watching foreign television channels would feel fearful for the Arabian Gulf region.
Kuwait is in political, constitutional and social crises driven by local forces that include patriotic elements who want to see their country as a model democracy where people can think and speak freely; a country where political participation is regulated by law, with a honest parliamentary system where the Emir is a neutral arbiter in any dispute between parties.
This group of Kuwaitis is striving for free, fair and competitive parliamentary elections where they can have their representatives, who will serve the interests of the whole nation rather than the interests of a sect or clan.
The other group is taking a contrary stand and wants Kuwait to be under the control of a particular sect, which is looking beyond the borders of the state with the intention of annexing the country to a foreign power, to make Kuwait dependent on and work for the agendas of others rather than that of the Arab nation.
We want Kuwait free of sectarianism, independent, with a government that fulfils the people’s needs and is not immune to questioning.
Bahrain is also engaged in conflict, which is claiming the lives of ordinary citizens and policemen. The unrest has resulted in blocked roads and an attempt to blow up the King Fahd Causeway, which links Bahrain to Saudi Arabia. It has disrupted production and people’s lives, and only a few people are paying attention to the imminent risks facing the region.
Both the opposition and government in Bahrain are calling for dialogue, but they both have their own perceptions and programmes for the dialogue. Each side rejects the dialogue when it feels that the agenda is not according to its perceptions and desires.
I strongly believe that the Bahraini government is keen on the success of the dialogue and wants to see a quick end to the political crisis in the country. Some reformists in the opposition are also serious about dialogue.
What the opposition needs to understand is that toppling the monarchy in Bahrain is a far-fetched demand. A constitutional monarchy is unattainable in the near term for a number of reasons, one of which is that it is not easy to get rid of a monarchical system that has ruled Bahrain for centuries. The concept of constitutional monarchy is yet to take root in Bahrain, and the Bahraini environment is like an island in the middle of the sea surrounded by monarchical regimes that have shown solidarity in protecting each other’s interests. These regimes have the means to use force and coercion, backed by their cohesive societies, so the time for change has not yet come.
Those who are betting on a foreign power for support to realise their aims will definitely lose the battle and fail to realise even their legitimate demands. I call on such group to make realistic demands.
Violence must end in Bahrain. I believe that use of force will never be able to silence people who have demands; it will only make things worse. The government of Bahrain must defend the rights of citizens without discrimination and fulfil the legitimate demands of the opposition immediately. To the Shias of Bahrain, I say: “Do not ever think that you are capable of coercing the government to realise your demands, and you are not the only ones subject to cruelty of the current regimes.”
I admit that some regimes in the Gulf do not consider their citizens partners who have rights and duties. Governments have duties toward their citizens, and should know that nationals have rights that must be respected, otherwise we will all be losers.
Saudi Arabia is concerned by what is going on in neighbouring Bahrain. Since Saudi Arabia’s social fabric is similar to that of Bahrain, it is aware of the depth of the sectarian problem.
Saudi Arabia is also concerned about the situation in the United Arab Emirates. It is worried about the Muslim Brotherhood, which may be striving to topple the regime in the UAE. Some of the organisation’s members were arrested recently and put on trial.
The Arab Gulf countries are going through a critical phase, and we all need to join hands to protect this region from the dangers that are accumulating. Governments in the Gulf are responsible for the disconnect and imbalance in their relations with their citizens, and they should take decisive decisions to address these problems.
Rulers in the Gulf region must understand that they need to distribute wealth fairly among their citizens. Citizens have the right to participate in decision-making and express themselves freely. Governments must not monopolise power.
