Manama: Russia’s ambassador to Bahrain said his country opposed foreign interference in the kingdom’s domestic affairs and condemned acts of violence and terror.
“Our position is that there could be no foreign interference in the Bahraini internal affairs,” Victor Smirnov said. “Bahrainis should solve their problems by themselves. They can do it and every Bahraini should protect his country and keep it in very good form. Every Bahraini should try to do his best to improve the situation and solve the crisis,” the ambassador said in an interview carried by Bahrain News Agency (BNA).
He added that acts of terror and violence should not be condoned in any way.
“We condemn violence decisively. This is not the way to solve problems. People who perpetrate acts of terrorism, extremism should know that they are the way to nowhere, particularly when the youth is involved. Young people have a lot of choices today and they have a lot of possibilities to use a mode of communication other than to instigate each other for violence, extremism and terrorism and to practice it. I really cannot accept this,” he said in the interview published on Wednesday.
Dialogue should be the option to follow in order to address problematic situations, he said.
“Since the very beginning of the crisis in Bahrain, we took very distinctly the position that Bahrainis themselves should solve this crisis. The National Dialogue [is the platform]. There is no other chance than to sit and to talk effectively, to talk constructively, and to talk in the interests of the whole Bahraini nation irrespective of concessions. Our main position is that Bahrainis should solve their problems by themselves, through the National Dialogue. I stress that we support the course of reforms initiated by His Majesty (King Hamad) in different social, economic and political fields. And those reforms can be achieved through the National Dialogue,” he said.
Bahrain was marred by dramatic events that occurred in February and March 2011. However, a national dialogue was launched in July to help heal the social wounds and charter reconciliation.
Around 300 people from political societies, NGOs, women’s rights supporters, activists, lawmakers, the government and the media took part in the talks that concluded with a series of recommendations.
The political topic of the national dialogue was launched in February this year following a call by King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa and brought together 27 participants representing the parliament, two political alliances, including from the opposition, and the parliament. However, the opposition has recently suspended its participation.
Ambassador Smirnov said that Bahrain, which he described as politically, humanitarianly and economically bigger than the size of its territory, would host the Russia-GCC Trade Commercial Exhibition at the end of 2014 or beginning of 2015.
He added that Bahrain Air Show, to be held later this month, would provide a good opportunity for Russian prowess.
“We are working hard for the Bahrain Air Show. It is an absolutely amazing show, and five Russian pilots will contribute to this Air Show,” he said. “Our Russian Knights two years ago were with four Sokhoy-27 planes. Now they will be five. They will make aerobic pilotage during the Air Show, and it is absolutely amazing. They are one of the few groups who are making pilotage on the combat-fighters Sokhoy-27s. Russia will be represented very well,” he said.