RIYADH/MANAMA, 7 July 2004 — Bahrain’s newly appointed Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid ibn Abdullah Al-Khalifa yesterday said the country was “an oasis of peace and security,” in an apparent response to a US warning of imminent terror attacks on US and Western targets in the country.
His comments came as family members of more then 700 US military and diplomatic staff prepare a mandatory “temporary relocation” following the travel advisory by the US State Department.
“We have a clear vision of a comprehensive security program that would help address policing concerns of the public, and we will act on it as soon as it is approved,” Sheikh Rashid said.
“Rest assured you have brothers and sons working diligently night and day to ensure the safety of all,” he said.
Sheikh Rashid added he was receiving daily reports of the security situation and the ministry was closely monitoring all security matters that impact citizens and expatriates alike.
In Riyadh, Bahrain’s ambassador to the Kingdom, Rashid S. Al-Doseri also appeared unperturbed about the increased terror threat in his country. “Terrorism has become an international phenomenon. Every country is taking measures to combat terrorism, and we are doing the same,” he said.
The ambassador said Bahrain, as a Gulf Cooperation Council member, was a signatory to the GCC security cooperation agreement facilitating exchange of security information.
Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid, who was speaking at a meeting with community leaders in Muharraq, Bahrain, also said the ministry was in the final phases of implementing a community-policing program.
“The governors try to solve many of the cases at a social level,” he said. “That is why we hope to have about 100 men and women under the governor’s command in each governorate to address security matters that concern the citizens.”
The program aims to involve the community in security issues and at the same time help employ more Bahrainis and cut reliance on expatriate workers, according to the minister.
