'Typical US policy visible in Bahrain'

Saudi-backed Bahraini regime forces have killed a female anti-government protester as demonstrations continue in the capital Manama and other parts of the country, activists say.


Zainab Hassan A'al Jumah was killed in Sitra on Friday after the security forces fired a teargas grenade from a hovering helicopter.

Press TV interviews Saeed al-Shahabi of Bahrain Freedom Movement in London, to further discuss the issue.

Press TV: How can the Bahraini regime claim to be involved in talks with the opposition when it attacks protesters and even kill them?

Shahabi: This is testimony to the lack of credibility of this regime. It will talk about dialogue but at the same time it has engaged in brutality against the people for nothing more than taking part in procession of a martyr. Although it is claiming to be so, the reality is that, under the America and Saudi protection, it is allowed to take such severe measures against the population that has often led to the death of people, as has happened yesterday when the women, Zainab Hassan A'al Jumah, was martyred because of excessive use of chemical gas. I think those sort of weapons are banned because they have repeatedly killed innocent people.

Press TV:Why do you think the West is not doing anything to stop this suppression?

Shahabi: I wish they were silent and taking no side. On the contrary, they are taking an extra role, and an extra part and role in supporting the regime. The Americans have warned some political societies if they do not join the Al Khalifa's meeting that they have organized -- this motto of dialogue -- they would be banned, and they would be closed down, and their leaders would be arrested... So, the world is not silent. It is very active in supporting and propping up the regime, especially the Americans, they have been very, very aggressive in their attitude towards the post-movement and they have taken the side of the dictators. And they have participated actively in separating the aspirations and the people of our country.

Press TV:Why is that the case, that the US has taken the side of the dictator?

Shahabi: Well, that would be very un-American if they ever supported the people, if they ever stood against the dictators and oppressors and the hereditary dictatorships within the [P]GCC ([Persian] Gulf Cooperation Council). If they did that, they would not be the United States of America, they would be a different country, and different culture and different policy. We know that they have publicly stated it, [US Secretary of State] Hillary Clinton stated it, President Obama stated it repeatedly that they stood by their allies, and their allies are these dictators.

So, if they didn't do that, I would be very, very surprised. It is not surprising that Washington has supported the Al Khalifa dictatorship, and they have supported the Saudi occupation of Bahrain, and they have not said anything while our mosques were being demolished, and I think that is a very typical American attitude and policy.