Bahraini opposition’s boycott, logical decision: Analyst

Press TV has conducted an interview with Nabil Mikhail, professor of George Washington University, about the situation in Bahrain.

The following is an approximate transcription of the interview.

Press TV: Now how do you react to this boycott of dialog by the Bahraini opposition?

Mikhail: Perhaps that was the most logical, most rational, most thought after decision on the part of the opposition in Bahrain. I understand that the Bahraini opposition is not just one single individual; it is a collective leadership. So I would assume that agreement was reflective of a consensus among them.

Perhaps there could be other rounds of future talks but it seems to me here from Washington that there is a deadlock inside the Bahraini domestic political situation.

So unless an important development takes place, things will be stonewalled and they would not move one way or toward one direction or the other. The idea also is that each side knows the other well. The opposition knows what the government thinks; the government also knows the opposition demands.

There has to be a response to opposition demands; there has to be a middle of the road solution. There is legitimacy for the opposition in Bahrain. It’s not something that can be ignored and it is not something that can be neglected.

So it’s better really to respond to the demands and make changes in the structure of the system of government because this will be better for all of the Bahrainis.

Press TV: So professor, out of this deadlock, who do you see winning? Who do you see coming out on talk out of this deadlock?

Mikhail: What is prevalent now in Arab societies is that the government prevails because the government has power; the government has authority; the government has the media and the government also has the ability to mobilize others. But I do not want any meddling in Bahraini affairs.

I want the government of Bahrain to respond to the opposition, to help reach a consensus, to help improve the conditions, to help the system become more inclusive.

These are serious political demands. The Bahraini opposition has placed its demands and articulated it across the years. So it is not ahead in agenda.

It is time to respond to their demands and open up a dialog, that should lead to more stability because stability is conducive to the prosperity of Bahrain and the whole region.