US military HQ in Mideast watching Gulf unrest

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US military HQ in Mideast watching Gulf unrest

By ROBERT BURNS, AP National Security Writer Burns, Ap National Security

Writer – 2 hrs 24 mins ago

WASHINGTON – Unrest surging through the Arab world has so far taken no toll on

the American military. But that could change if revolt washes over the tiny

Persian Gulf kingdom of Bahrain — longtime home to the U.S. Navy's mighty 5th

Fleet and arguably the Middle East anchor of U.S. defense strategy.

The discontent that has spilled into the streets of Bahrain's capital, Manama,

this week features no anti-American sentiment, but the U.S. has a lot at stake

in preserving its dominant naval presence in the Gulf.

On Wednesday, protesters held their ground in an Egypt-style occupation of the

capital's landmark square, staging a third day of demonstrations that have

brought unprecedented pressure on Bahrain's rulers. Security forces pulled back,

apparently on orders to ease tensions. Police helicopters, however, flew low

over a major funeral procession for one of two protesters killed in earlier

demonstrations.

In announcing that it is " very concerned " about violence linked to the protests,

the State Department on Tuesday underscored Bahrain's strategic importance as a

U.S. partner.

" The United States welcomes the government of Bahrain's statements that it will

investigate these deaths, and that it will take legal action against any

unjustified use of force by Bahraini security forces, " said department spokesman

P.J. Crowley. " We urge that it follow through on these statements as quickly as

possible. "

The 5th Fleet operates at least one aircraft carrier in the Gulf at all times,

along with an " amphibious ready group " of ships with Marines aboard. Their

presence is central to a longstanding U.S. commitment to ensuring the free flow

of oil through the Gulf, while keeping an eye on a hostile Iran and seeking to

deter piracy in the region.

A spokeswoman for 5th Fleet, Navy Cmdr. Amy Derrick-Frost, said Wednesday, " We

are monitoring the situation here, as the protests are not directed at the U.S.

military presence. " Sailors, civilian personnel and family members have been

advised to avoid sites where the protests are occurring, she added.

Cordesman, a Mideast defense specialist at the Center for Strategic and

International Studies, said Bahrain has security services capable of handling

protesters and potentially backed by neighboring Saudi Arabia.

Thousands of banner-waving protesters took over a main square in Manama Tuesday

in an attempt to copy Egypt's uprising. The demonstrations capped two days of

clashes that left at least two people dead, and the king made a rare address on

national television to offer condolences for the bloodshed.

" It is a serious problem, but whether it's going to flare up any more seriously

this time than all the other times is hard to say, " Cordesman said. " The

question is whether they can shake the security structure of the state. "

The implications for U.S. foreign policy and national security from the

pro-democracy movements that have arisen in the Arab world — highlighted by

Egypt's stunning revolution — is likely to be a topic Wednesday when Defense

Secretary Gates testifies before the House Armed Services Committee.

Bahrain became a more prominent partner for the Pentagon after the 1991 Gulf War

with Iraq; since then it has granted U.S. forces increased access, plus

permission to store wartime supplies for future crises.

In the weeks leading up to popular revolts that toppled autocratic regimes first

in Tunisia and then Egypt, Obama administration officials portrayed Bahrain as

being on the right track toward democracy.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, during a visit to Manama in December,

called Bahrain " a model partner, " not only for the United States but also for

other countries in the region seeking political liberalization.

" I am impressed by the commitment that the government has to the democratic path

that Bahrain is walking on, " Clinton told a news conference Dec. 3, with Foreign

Minister Sheik Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa at her side. " It takes time; we know

that from our own experience. There are obstacles and difficulties along the

way. But America will continue working with you to promote a vigorous civil

society and to ensure that democracy, human rights and civil liberties are

protected by the rule of law. "

The tiny island kingdom has been the most volatile in the Gulf. Majority Shiites

have long alleged discrimination and other abuses by Sunni rulers. A wave of

arrests of Shiite activists last year touched off weeks of protests and clashes

— and a highly sensitive trial of 25 Shiites accused of plotting against the

state.

Bahrain has seen sporadic unrest for decades as Shiites — who represent 70

percent of the nation's 530,000 citizens — press for a greater political voice

and opportunities. Reforms in the past decade, including parliamentary

elections, have opened more room for Shiites. But they complain the

Sunni-directed system still excludes them from any key policymaking roles or top

posts in the security forces.

Bahrain is one of four Gulf countries with U.S. Patriot missiles based on their

soil to defend against potential attack from Iran.