Bahrain: dialogue of the deaf

Two versions of the same meeting. First, from the UN News Centre:

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today voiced his concern to Bahrain’s Foreign Minister about the violence in the country in which demonstrators have been killed or injured, and called for maximum restraint and caution.

During their meeting in Doha, Qatar, on the margins of the Libya Contact Group meeting, Mr Ban was briefed by Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa on recent developments in Bahrain ...

The Secretary-General said he hoped the situation would calm down and that serious, inclusive dialogue with all stakeholders could start as soon as possible, according to his spokesperson.

In this context, he urged all the parties to respond constructively to the call for a dialogue, stating that it was important to accommodate the aspirations of the people.

And now the second one, from Bahrain's foreign ministry:

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa this afternoon met with UN Secretary, Mr Ban Ki-moon, on the sidelines of the first meeting of the International Contact Group on Libya ...

The Minister of Foreign Affairs briefed the UN Secretary General on the latest developments in the Kingdom of Bahrain and efforts made to maintain security and stability. 

UN Secretary General, for his part, emphasised the world organisation’s support for measures taken by the Kingdom of Bahrain to maintain security and stability. He also praised the political reforms led by His Majesty the King and Bahrain's progress and prosperity at all levels. 

Posted by Brian Whitaker, 20 April 2011.