Articles from the author

A leading Sri Lankan Muslim who attended this month's Oslo peace talks between the government and the Tamil Tigers warned that failure to ensure the rights of Muslims in the proposed power sharing arrangements may derail the entire process.

Media propaganda picking up steam

Caught in web of a hostile campaign

A regime change in Baghdad will also place both Syria and Iran in very vulnerable positions. Iran will be sandwiched between U.S.-installed governments in Kabul and Baghdad while Syria too, known for its radical views which were not so friendly to U.S. and Israel, will be squeezed by Baghdad and Israel.

A cabinet reshuffle bring ing in well qualified people with integrity to abolish administrative corruption and change the faces in the government that are no longer trusted by people will constitute two of the most important elements in the forthcoming changes.

Days before the International Court of Justice is expected to issue a verdict in the border dispute between Bahrain and Qatar speculation is rife that sovereignty over Hawar Islands and a large portion of the disputed islands will remain under Manama.

The Emir, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, will meet shortly all those who have returned from exile under a general amnesty.

Medical check-ups for couples before marriage would become compulsory if a draft law now being discussed is approved.

A well-known Indian jeweller in Bahrain, who is also a prominent socialite on the island, fled the country last week leaving more than 60 employees in the lurch and what is understood to be millions of dinars of unpaid loans to several banks.

Thousands of Bahrainis yesterday lined up at polling stations in various parts of the country to vote in the first referendum of its kind in the Gulf region, offering landmark reforms including voting rights to all citizens, men and women, above the age of 21.

The cabinet at its meeting yesterday decided to set up a committee to study the nationality law and its relation to investors, besides approving three new higher educational projects by the private sector at a cost of BD 10 million.

According to Johnny Young, the American Ambassador in Bahrain, there is no information about a threat to Americans in Bahrain and the embassy was open for business yesterday.