Gary Sick: Washington’s double standard policy in the region is based on US interests
New York - Gary Sick, US National Security Advisor in the Carter, Reagan, and Bush administrations believes that the double standard policy of Barack Obama with regard to the popular uprisings in the Middle East region is based solely on Washington's interests.
In an exclusive interview with Bahrain Observer in New York, the Columbia University professor and an expert on Iran-US relations explained the different approaches of the White House with regard to the events in Bahrain and Syria and Obama's double standard policy with regard to the Islamic Awakening. He then stated that it is not surprising that Washington's policy is only based on the US’ interests, for all countries pursue the same path.
Sick further added: Frankly, all countries safeguard their interests and use the double-standard policy, for every state has its own conditions and is duty-bound to pursue its interests and this should not be surprising to anyone.
In response to the question that, considering the situation in Bahrain and the ongoing suppression of people by the government and its refusal to make reforms, will Obama attempt to change US policy in this regard, this professor of Columbia University said: I believe that it is important for Washington to consider this issue in Bahrain, particularly since the US has an important naval base in this country which significantly relates us to the developments in Bahrain.
While reiterating that the present policy of the US is against the will of the people of Bahrain, Gary Sick stated: In my opinion, the White House must exert pressure on the government of Bahrain to recognize the rights of its own people and assure them that the government will honor its commitments and remain loyal to its reform promises.
This American foreign relations expert pointed out: This is a reality that the US has its own special interests in Bahrain, as Iran has its own interests which leads to the divergence of their policies in Syria, thus, each party pursues its own interests and we must not pretend that this issue does not exist, thus, not recognizing these interests.
In the end, Gary Sick stated: This is the reality of the US’ policy in Bahrain and I believe that the US administration must, more than before, exert pressure on the government of Bahrain to implement changes and reforms.
Initially posted on www.bahrainoberver.com on Wednesday, January 2nd, 2013