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Al-Ahram Weekly 11 - 17 March 1999 Issue No. 420 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 11 - 17 March 1999 Issue No. 420
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Focus Special Features Travel Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Tough times
By Sami Kamal
ahead for new emir
"Bahrain's candle has been snuffed out," said one Bahraini woman who sat at a street corner in the capital Manama, as thousands of Bahrainis took part in the hastily-prepared funeral of their emir, Sheikh Eissa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, who has ruled the tiny Gulf island for the past 38 years.
Sheikh Eissa
bin SalmanSheikh Hamad
bin EissaSince he succeeded to the Bahraini throne, following the death of his father in 1961, Sheikh Eissa created the modern Bahrain now known to the outside world as one of the Gulf's main trade and banking centres. What made the death of Sheikh Eissa even more shocking to his people is that the 65-year-old emir appeared in good health and had been carrying out government business as usual. Minutes before he died suddenly of a heart attack on Saturday, he had been meeting with visiting US Defence Secretary William Cohen.
Despite the smooth transfer of power to Sheikh Eissa's eldest son, the 49-year-old Sheikh Hamad bin Eissa Al-Khalifa, some observers have expressed worries over the future of stability in Bahrain, a key Western ally whose economy has been hit by the recent sharp decline in oil prices. The Gulf emirate has also been jolted by political unrest since the late emir dissolved Bahrain's elected parliament in 1975 amid increasing demands by the Shi'ite majority in the country for better living conditions and employment opportunities.
Western reports also noted the possibility of a dispute emerging within the ruling family due to known disagreements between the new ruler, who was declared heir apparent in 1964, and his uncle, Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman. According to these reports, the late emir of Bahrain acted as a buffer between the two key members of the ruling family.
Nevertheless, experts on Bahraini affairs have excluded the possibility of a split within the Al-Khalifa family or any key changes in Bahrain's policies.
The internal challenges facing Bahrain, its regional alliances and the volatile situation in the Gulf region due to Iraqi and Iranian threats are all important factors which will leave the ruling family with no option but to maintain stability and unity among its members.
Bahrain is facing very tough economic challenges, and any dramatic or sudden changes might lead to further deterioration. Bahrain, which unlike its Gulf neighbours, is not a major oil producer, depends mainly on trade and local industries such as aluminium and petrochemicals. Both industries are currently facing great difficulties.
The emirate's reputation as the Gulf's banking and financial centre has also been shaken by the recent international financial crisis in Asia and elsewhere in the world. Political instability may be the straw that broke the camel's back as far as key foreign investors in Bahrain, who may well pack up and leave.
Maintaining stability and unity among members of the ruling family is also a must in order to be able to confront what the government describes as acts of terrorism carried out by members of the opposition and the Shi'ite majority who feel deprived and are demanding more political rights.
To face the unrest going on since 1994, the Bahraini government arrested hundreds of Shi'ites and opposition members. Several key opposition figures were forced into exile where they have been leading a campaign pressing for the restoration of the elected parliament and democracy. Bahrain has claimed that "external powers" have been backing the internal unrest, in a reference to Iran. However, relations between the two countries improved recently and diplomatic ties were restored after being severed two years ago when Manama accused Tehran of orchestrating a coup attempt.
THE NEW Bahraini emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Eissa Al-Khalifa, has a long record in government and is widely expected to continue the pro-Western policies of his late father. Bahrain's new ruler
The 49-year-old soldier, who now rules the tiny Gulf island that is home to the US 5th fleet, had served as crown prince since 1964 and has been heavily involved in the day-to-day running of the country.
Educated at British and American military academies, he founded the emirate's armed forces in 1968 and has commanded them ever since.
In announcing his accession shortly after his father died, Sheikh Hamad pledged continuity. "On this day, we carry the trust of assuming rule in Bahrain, exerting all efforts possible to serve our country and our people by following the policy charted by the great departed," Sheikh Hamad told an extraordinary cabinet meeting.
Sheikh Hamad was born on 20 January 1950. Like many Gulf royals, he was sent to Britain where he enrolled in the Mons Officer Cadet School, Aldershot and Sandhurst military academy. He later studied at the US Army Command and Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
He is known for leading a relatively modest lifestyle in keeping with Bahrain's unspectacular but comfortable way of life. He plays golf, enjoys watching camel and horse racing and trains falcons to retrieve prey, a very popular sport among rich emirs in the Gulf. He owns some prized thoroughbred Arabian horses and a collection of rare cars.
But the military is clearly his first love. He often wears his military uniform complete with medals at home. And he is often shown on national television attending live ammunition exercises with Bahrain's forces and visiting Western bases in the country.
In 1968, Sheikh Hamad got married to his cousin. They have three sons and one daughter.
