"Dialogue and promises are not enough. We need to see concrete progress," said Hasan Mushaimaa upon arrival to Bahrain from exile, concerning the invitation of King Hamad. The leader of the opposition group Haq was on trial for attempting to overthrow the monarchy and forgiveness is one of the concessions from the monarch to pro-democracy movement that has put his government against the strings.
But neither the return of Mushaimaa, nor change of ministers, helped to appease the protesters. Mushaimaa dodged the question of whether he would demand the abolition of royalty and even expressed willingness to accept a constitutional monarchy, "if the royal family is honest about it and that's what the majority wants." In any case insisted that the changes should empower people, the only point where all the opponents seem to agree, and that is opening up a divide between those calling for an end Al Khalifa dynasty and those who accept in exchange for him to yield power to Parliament.
"We do not know where to go. It's all very confusing," he confided to this newspaper Yasem Hussein, one of 18 members of Wefaq, the main parliamentary opposition group until last week withdrew from the House to protest the use of force against the demonstrators in the square of the Pearl.
"There's a split between radicals who want to end the monarchy and the moderates, like myself, who advocate a structural change in the system," explains Hussein. These differences are blocking a unified response to the offer of dialogue from the king. A dozen groups, including political associations (in Bahrain parties are not allowed) and popular movements have to agree on the demands that will present the Crown Prince by his father in charge of the dialogue.
"The radicals control the Pearl Plaza," says Hussein. In his view, the movement is no longer the spontaneous protest was convened on October 14 through Facebook. "There are hidden hands," he said referring to "the people behind the whole organization, from donations." Although reluctant to name names, referred to Haq and Amal (Islamic Action Association), two Shiite Islamist groups more radical than the Wefaq and whose supporters are the backbone of Youth Feb.
14, as have christened young activists. Nabil Rajab, head of the Center for Human Rights Bahrain downplays those differences. "Young people aspire to a more radical change because they see that the Government is serious in its response time is persuasive, and will agree a unified response," he said.
For now, the agitators have started using a new tactic to advance their demands. From the square of the Pearl, center of activities, organized protest marches to spread to all corners of the city. On Saturday addressed the financial district and yesterday they did to the Foreign Ministry.
"Go Hamad, Hamad Go," chanted the crowd becoming increasingly convinced of its power. "The people want the fall of the regime," also heard echoing the slogan popularized in Tunisia and Egypt. "Some of the slogans are too," said Munira Fakhro, Waad liberal group vice president, who failed any seats in the last election.
The Waad had so far supported all forms of pro-democracy movement, but many of his supporters are beginning to stay home. "We are worried," admits Fakhro. In his opinion, "Wefaq, while party with the most followers, should accept the invitation of Crown Prince dialogue." "If not, the situation will deteriorate," he warns.
For her that the government withdraw troops from the Place de la Perla, release political prisoners and has opened an investigation into police action that caused seven deaths, are concessions that can sit down and talk. Hussein is not so sure. "Our concern is that this is not a dialogue with specific objectives, a timeframe and work plan.
It is too diffuse," he explains. Still, disagrees with the ultimate goal of the radicals. "If we try to change the regime, we risk an intervention by Saudi Arabia. However, a structural change would be supported in Europe and America," he concludes. 
But neither the return of Mushaimaa, nor change of ministers, helped to appease the protesters. Mushaimaa dodged the question of whether he would demand the abolition of royalty and even expressed willingness to accept a constitutional monarchy, "if the royal family is honest about it and that's what the majority wants." In any case insisted that the changes should empower people, the only point where all the opponents seem to agree, and that is opening up a divide between those calling for an end Al Khalifa dynasty and those who accept in exchange for him to yield power to Parliament.
"We do not know where to go. It's all very confusing," he confided to this newspaper Yasem Hussein, one of 18 members of Wefaq, the main parliamentary opposition group until last week withdrew from the House to protest the use of force against the demonstrators in the square of the Pearl.
"There's a split between radicals who want to end the monarchy and the moderates, like myself, who advocate a structural change in the system," explains Hussein. These differences are blocking a unified response to the offer of dialogue from the king. A dozen groups, including political associations (in Bahrain parties are not allowed) and popular movements have to agree on the demands that will present the Crown Prince by his father in charge of the dialogue.
"The radicals control the Pearl Plaza," says Hussein. In his view, the movement is no longer the spontaneous protest was convened on October 14 through Facebook. "There are hidden hands," he said referring to "the people behind the whole organization, from donations." Although reluctant to name names, referred to Haq and Amal (Islamic Action Association), two Shiite Islamist groups more radical than the Wefaq and whose supporters are the backbone of Youth Feb.
14, as have christened young activists. Nabil Rajab, head of the Center for Human Rights Bahrain downplays those differences. "Young people aspire to a more radical change because they see that the Government is serious in its response time is persuasive, and will agree a unified response," he said.
For now, the agitators have started using a new tactic to advance their demands. From the square of the Pearl, center of activities, organized protest marches to spread to all corners of the city. On Saturday addressed the financial district and yesterday they did to the Foreign Ministry.
"Go Hamad, Hamad Go," chanted the crowd becoming increasingly convinced of its power. "The people want the fall of the regime," also heard echoing the slogan popularized in Tunisia and Egypt. "Some of the slogans are too," said Munira Fakhro, Waad liberal group vice president, who failed any seats in the last election.
The Waad had so far supported all forms of pro-democracy movement, but many of his supporters are beginning to stay home. "We are worried," admits Fakhro. In his opinion, "Wefaq, while party with the most followers, should accept the invitation of Crown Prince dialogue." "If not, the situation will deteriorate," he warns.
For her that the government withdraw troops from the Place de la Perla, release political prisoners and has opened an investigation into police action that caused seven deaths, are concessions that can sit down and talk. Hussein is not so sure. "Our concern is that this is not a dialogue with specific objectives, a timeframe and work plan.
It is too diffuse," he explains. Still, disagrees with the ultimate goal of the radicals. "If we try to change the regime, we risk an intervention by Saudi Arabia. However, a structural change would be supported in Europe and America," he concludes.
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