Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is not often I commend President Obama for his honesty, but I thought he was very honest last week in his address to the United Nations when he said: "The United States will at times work with governments that do not meet the highest international expectations but who work with us on our core interests." Bahrain probably falls into that bracket, given that the US navy fifth fleet is based there. Western governments and, in particular, the United States Government have been very reluctant to call a spade a spade with regard to the situation in Bahrain. I would like the Government to be a little stronger. There is no doubt that the situation in Bahrain leaves a lot to be desired and we should be more forceful in making our condemnation heard. The Minister of State will note that Amnesty International has issued a strong statement on the position of Mr. al-Marzooq, describing him as a prisoner of conscience, imprisoned only for his vehement criticism of the government.

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