Page 322 - Begrave Thesis_Neat

The Party’s focus on international affairs and alignment through nationalist

press and circulars with Egyptian politics whether by knowledge or ignorance, saw

the Movement thrust itself into Cold War politics. The scale of the Cold War, its

complexities, and covert operations was far more multifaceted for the inexperienced

politicians to comprehend, as they were new to this terra incognita. Instead they

should have focused purely on local political and social development. There was no

maltreatment, however, in showing sympathy with other nations in distress or

under aggression through peaceful means.

One of the NUC’s noticeable failures was its insistence to rid Bahrain of a

single British man being Belgrave. That determination resulted in the recruitment

of many other British experts on a part-time or full-time basis throughout the

Administration to relieve the Adviser from his duties or develop governmental

work. The failure was compounded in November 1956 when Bahrain was run over

by British military units.

The NUC exerted much effort in the organisation of political rallies, speeches,

and publication of countless long circulars and pamphlets. The Movement had a

golden opportunity of dominating public opinion if they had served and served well

in the Health and Education Councils. Additionally the NUC failed to recognise the

complexity and reality of its surroundings as further concessions would be looked

upon unfavorably regionally. It is also ironic that although the Party called upon a

form of democratic representation, some of it supporter’s looked on to Nasser as a

political model though he did not adopt democratic values.

© Hamad E. Abdulla 301