"I Am Willing to Give My Life": Bahraini Human Rights Activists Risk Lives to Protest U.S./Saudi-Backed Repression →

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AMY GOODMAN: Finally, the fact that the U.S. Navy is there, that the Fifth Fleet is based there, the extremely close relationship between Bahrain and the United States—your message for President Obama?
NABEEL RAJAB: Well, until recently, a month, I used to think it is a positive thing to have a strong relation with the United States, but now I realize it is—it is difficult. It is not a positive one, because now we are not supported by United States for our democracy, democratic movement, because we have an American base, and our ruling family have guaranteed them that they—they will guarantee their interests, and they will guarantee their military presence. And that’s why Obama administration are not supporting us, but supporting the government. So, this base is becoming too hard for us, too difficult for us, making our job more difficult. The interest of United States, as they believe, it lies with those dictators and the repressive regime in the region, but not with any democratic. But this is not good for Obama administration, not good for United States government. They are losing the heart and mind of people here. And I don’t think it is a positive thing that they lose the heart and mind of people here.