LETTER: WELCOME FOCUS ON BAHRAIN

From Mr Michael Rice

Sir: Having just returned from Bahrain, a country which I have known particularly well over the past 30 years, I wondered if you would permit me to make some observations on Robert Fisk's continuing series of articles about the present disturbances which are marring the otherwise generally placid course of life in the emirate.

Mr Fisk is a distinguished and respected reporter. However, it is absurd to describe any part of the population of Bahrain as living in "near-destitution" (" 'Medieval' Bahrain struggles to contain fires of rebellion", 13 February). No one doubts the difficulties of young Bahrainis finding adequate employment opportunities, but the government is vigorously pursuing a policy of creating opportunites for its people, now under the direction of a new minister of labour and social affairs who is himself a Shia.

Yours faithfully,

Michael Rice

Osley,

Hertfordshire

15 February