Bahraini opponents sit down for talks

BAHRAIN'S Sunni rulers have launched landmark reconciliation talks with the opposition, after four months of Shiite-led protests for greater rights and harsh crackdowns on dissent in the strategic Gulf kingdom.

The Sunni monarchy has made token concessions ahead of the so-called "national dialogue", including sanctioning an international inquiry that will include investigations into the conduct of security forces during the revolt.

But the government has not relented on opposition demands to free all detainees and clear others convicted of protest-linked charges, including eight activists sentenced to life in prison last month.

Bahrain's biggest party, Al Wefaq, decided at the last minute to join the government-led talks, which opened yesterday in a convention centre in the capital, Manama, with about 300 delegates from various political parties and government-linked groups.

Parliament Speaker Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Dhahrani opened the forum by hailing the gathering as "a historic opportunity for all of us to overcome this critical stage of the nation's history through dialogue".

He said the goal is to bring "together different points of view to develop common visions" and added that the Sunni rulers are at the talks "without preconditions".

After a 45-minute ceremonial session, the participants adjourned for the day. The talks are to last until the end of July, with delegates meeting three times a week.

Al Wefaq's decision to come to the table lends important credibility to the government-organised talks.

However, it could cause divisions within Bahrain's Shiite majority, as many insist that dialogue is futile until the government frees detainees and halts trials links to the protests.