Bahrain
Country comprising a group of islands in the Persian Gulf, between
Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Government
The 1973 constitution provided for an elected national assembly of
30 members, but was dissolved 1975 after the prime minister refused
to work with it. The emir now governs Bahrain by decree, through
a cabinet chosen by him. There are no recognizable political parties.
History
Traditionally an Arab monarchy, Bahrain was under Portuguese rule during
the 16th century and from 1602 was dominated by Persia (now Iran).
Bahrain became a sheikdom 1783 under the control of the Khalifa
dynasty. British assistance was sought to preserve the country's
independence against claims of sovereignty made by Persia and
the Ottoman Empire. It became a British protectorate 1861, with
government shared between the ruling sheik and a British adviser.
Iran (Persia) claimed sovereignty 1928 but accepted a United Nations
report 1970 showing that the inhabitants of Bahrain preferred
independence.
Britain announced the withdrawal of its forces 1968, and Bahrain
joined two other territories under British protection, Qatar and
the Trucial States (now the United Arab Emirates), to form the
Federation of Arab Emirates. Qatar and the Trucial States left
the federation 1971, and Bahrain became an independent state.
A new constitution 1973 provided for an elected national assembly,
but two years later the prime minister, Sheik al-Khalifa, complained
of obstruction by the assembly, which was then dissolved.
Since 1975 the emir and his family have ruled with virtually
absolute power. Bahrain has become a focal point on the Gulf,
being the site of the Gulf University (1986) and an international
airport, the centre of Gulf aviation. A causeway linking Bahrain
with mainland Saudi Arabia was constructed 1986 (at 25 km/ 15.5
mi it is the longest in the world). In 1994 there were public
protests by Shi'ite Muslims opposed to the monarchy (the royal
family belongs to the Sunni Muslim sect). Sheik al- Khalifa was
re-appointed prime minister 1995. In the same year prodemocracy
demonstrations were violently suppressed, resulting in 11 deaths.
In May 1996 the emir responded by offering an expanded consultative
assembly as a move towards a more democratic system of government.
Since the Iranian revolution of 1979, relations between the
two countries have been uncertain, with fears of Iranian attempts
to disturb Bahrain's stability.
During the 1991 Gulf War, Bahrain opposed Iraq's invasion of
Kuwait.
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