Israel ties ruled out
Gulf Daily News, Manama, 10 October 2005
Israel ties ruled out
MANAMA: Bahrain last night denied any intention to normalise relations with Israel.
The decision to lift boycott does not entail any economic, cultural, political, diplomatic or any other form of normalisation, Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa told ministers and heads of parliament blocs at a meeting convened by Deputy Premier for Ministry Committees’ Affairs Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa.
He said the decision to lift the boycott was in line with the Free Trade Agreement signed with the US.
The minister also denied that the FTA included "secret articles" and pointed out that it had been discussed by parliament which found no reference to Israel.
He dismissed reports of plans to import Israeli goods.
