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Phoenix-Bahrain talks on hold

Violence vs. Mideastern protesters hinders trade accord

by Emily Gersema - Feb. 18, 2011 12:00 AM

The Arizona Republic

As police in Manama, Bahrain, were shooting rubber bullets and birdshot at protesters seeking democracy Monday, Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and Bahraini officials were signing an agreement to open up trade and draw new foreign investment to Phoenix.

Since the Bahraini delegates left Phoenix this week with a memorandum of understanding, riot police in Manama have attacked sleeping protesters, killing at least four, according to wire-service reports.

Now, human-rights advocates are asking whether Phoenix officials should make a new agreement: no business deals until Bahraini authorities stop the violent attacks on protesters.

"It's kind of incumbent on them (Phoenix officials) to raise our concerns with the Bahraini government now that they have this memorandum of understanding," said Joe Stork, director of Human Rights Watch's Middle East Division. "And they could say that keeping the MOU would be contingent on stopping the attacks on sleeping protesters."

Stork said the timing of the Phoenix-Bahrain agreement "was unfortunate."

Although Bahraini officials met with Phoenix business leaders and signed the memorandum at a Downtown Phoenix Partnership meeting, the "DPP was not a party to the agreement itself," said David Roderique, president of the non-profit organization, which is supported by a district improvement tax on downtown businesses.

According to the five-year agreement, Phoenix and Bahrain will work to "develop stronger and more formal ties with each other" and share information in areas such as health care, education, finance, telecommunications and cultural arts.

The document also states the two "may work towards encouraging the City of Phoenix . . . to consider establishing a Middle East Office in Bahrain to represent the interests of the business communities of both participants."

Gordon, whose aides said he was away from the office Thursday for a personal matter, wrote an e-mail response to questions from The Arizona Republic, saying he had discussed the protests in Bahrain with the nation's economic chief, Sheik Mohammed Bin Essa Al Khalifa.

Because of the protests and violence in Bahrain, a small island off Saudi Arabia, Gordon said Phoenix officials will have to wait to talk further about business opportunities.

"Once the situation sorts itself out, then we'll see where the economic opportunities stand," Gordon wrote. "And, obviously, our policy will continue to mirror our national policy of spreading democracy wherever possible."

Last year, Phoenix signed a similar memorandum of understanding with Dubai, an Arab emirate close to Bahrain. Gordon and other Phoenix officials have been courting Dubai industries and businesses.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.