Basim sent me this: "The
GCC leaders at their Monday meeting are expected to
discuss a Saudi proposal to develop their six-nation council into a union,
possibly starting with Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
Sheikh Ali
Salman, the leader of Bahrain's main Shiite opposition formation,
Al-Wefaq, has criticised the project which he said must first be
subjected to a referendum that should take place in all GCC states. "Bahrain gained its independence (in 1971) following a
referendum" overseen by the United Nations, said Salman in a speech on Sunday."
---------
Are you kidding me? After decades of oppression by the al-Khalifa
regime; after the invasion by Saudi troops and the brutalization Bahrain's
pro-democracy movement; after widespread torture, mass detentions and show
trials; Wifaq now calls for a "referendum" in a country that never held a
democratic vote since its inception? And in other GCC countries as well? Are you
serious? Is this "opposition" group delusional or just so out-of-touch with the
real resistance the toughest position they can take is to demand a
referendum?"
