Bahrain GP situation: postponed, reinstated, cancelled

[WhiteBlue]

Should sport care about the politics, internal divisions within a country, or the human rights of the population in countries that host a race?

Generally it would neither be practical nor wise to do so. If there is a boycott decision from the UN or a similar general consent about it F1 should follow that line. Races contracted should be run except the host country violates the FiA statutes as seen in Bahrain or Turkey.

If so where should the line be drawn. Why is Bahrain bad but China, India, or the USA good?

Bahrain used F1 for a propaganda lie. If other countries like the USA would run a race slogan like "We race for bombing Iran" it would be equally justified to stop racing. Only they would never do this.

What level of threat should there be before an event is cancelled on security grounds?

That is a difficult one. Certainly when you have a military escalation like last year. Today the threat is debatable. Unfortunately we have seen this propaganda escalation which must be a real provocation to some people who have lost loved ones.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Bahrain_Grand_Prix

In February, a protest orgnisation calling itself the February 14 Youth Coalition wrote to Bernie Ecclestone, threatening to "do everything in [their] capacity to ensure the failure of the race" if it went ahead.[17] They further added that they could not guarantee the safety of teams, drivers and spectators if the race went ahead.[18]

This sounds like a serious threat. The February 14 Youth Coalition is a revolutionary movement that approves of violence in self defense. http://www.globalrights.info/world/midd ... outh-.html It is not clear what they consider under self defense. There could be very negative emotions unleashed with a surprising potential of violence. In doubt I would personally counsel for caution and pull out. But I can understand people like Schumacher who think it is safe enough and would take the risk.

[gonzo_sbz]

Sport should absolutely have nothing to do with politics. I know that politicians say that everything is politics, but that just what they say! Keep it apart!
Go ahead Baharain, go formula 1.

[myurr]

Should sport care about the politics, internal divisions within a country, or the human rights of the population in countries that host a race?

Generally it would neither be practical nor wise to do so. If there is a boycott decision from the UN or a similar general consent about it F1 should follow that line. Races contracted should be run except the host country violates the FiA statutes as seen in Bahrain or Turkey.

If so where should the line be drawn. Why is Bahrain bad but China, India, or the USA good?

Bahrain used F1 for a propaganda lie. If other countries like the USA would run a race slogan like "We race for bombing Iran" it would be equally justified to stop racing. Only they would never do this.

What level of threat should there be before an event is cancelled on security grounds?

That is a difficult one. Certainly when you have a military escalation like last year. Today the threat is debatable. Unfortunately we have seen this propaganda escalation which must be a real provocation to some people who have lost loved ones. There could be very negative emotions unleashed with a surprising potential of violence. In doubt I would personally counsel for caution and pull out. But I can understand people like Schumacher who think it is safe enough and would take the risk.

Without wanting to put words in your mouth, it looks like a lot of the objection stems from the UniF1ed campaign? Is that fair?

Could you perhaps detail what exactly is wrong with the UniF1ed campaign that makes it propaganda? As far as I can tell, and I have only read about it online from a couple of sources rather than actually been on the ground, the gist of it is that the entire country should forget their differences and united for a weekend of sport. Personally without siding expressly against the regime I cannot see the harm in that message, and agree with the central premise that sport should be above political turmoil and should instead be something that can unite people.

The regime may be cynical in their promotion of that message, but I find it hard to argue against the message itself or the premise that the internal strife should be suspended for the weekend.

[WhiteBlue]

Without wanting to put words in your mouth, it looks like a lot of the objection stems from the UniF1ed campaign? Is that fair? Could you perhaps detail what exactly is wrong with the UniF1ed campaign that makes it propaganda?

It is fairly simple. Bahrain continues to experience public unrest about the Al-Khalifa regime. This ranges from revolutionary groups to parliamentary opposition. There are wide spread demonstrations with loss of life, systematic imprisonment of the opposition leaders, hunger strike protest and ongoing torture. The status quo is easily verifiable by the international press and social media.

The crown prince Salman Al-Khalifa says that "UniF1ed - one nation in celebration" is the status of the country. All is peaceful and united - ready to celebrate. This is nothing but a fat big lie particularly when seen from the point of view of the revolutionaries.

The February 14 Youth Coalition say that their #1 aim is:

Overthrowing the tribal Al-Khalifa regime, which has lost its legitimacy, and bringing its heads and officials to trial, including Hamad the dictator, for the crimes against humanity that they have committed against our people.

The method is revolution:

The coalition is loyal to the martyrs, injured, and prisoners as well as all of Bahrain’s citizens and the homeland. The Coalition is committed to continue on the path of struggle and revolutionary work until the revolution’s goals of overthrowing the Al-Khalifa regime and gaining the right to self-determination are achieved.

Provoked by the "Unif1ed" campaign the Feb 14 Youth coalition has declared:

We will do everything in [our] capacity to ensure the failure of the race. We can not guarantee the safety of teams, drivers and spectators.

Perhaps the crackdown on the youth coalition and the jailing of the leaders will keep them from turning their threats into action, but perhaps not.

[franciscoevaldez]

I know i don't post here often, but there has been clashes on F1 exhibit:

http://thescore.thejournal.ie/clashes-h ... =shortlink

&

http://espn.go.com/racing/f1/story/_/id ... ed-clashes

[WhiteBlue]

John Yates, the former assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan police who is employed by the Bahrain government to advise on police reform, told the Guardian:

People say can we guarantee security? Of course we can't guarantee security! I'd be a fool to sit here and say that. Is it possible there might be an incursion on the track? Of course there is! It's an open event. Can you stop some idiot running onto the track? There have been other incidents of track incursions.

The police will have all the options you would expect. If the opposition started firing live ammunition, the police would respond with live. But I don't think that's likely.

My hope is that the more revolutionary opposition in Bahrain like the February 14 Youth Coalition find more inventive non violent means to do their anti Al-Khalifa and anti F1 demonstrations than suddenly resorting to live fire or suicide track action.

I wonder what the crown prince would say if he finds the track has been dug up on race morning so that the race cannot happen. Remember when the track surface disintegrated in Canada some years ago. Only worse now in a breaking zone or fast corner with the track dug up 2 feet deep. I would laugh at the royals and Bernie all the way to the bar and have a stiff drink.

[myurr]

@WhiteBlue - so the big problem with the UniF1ed campaign is that some people want regime change and won't be happy or stop criticising the regime until they are gone? To be honest that shouldn't be F1's concern. Why can't the people unite for a sporting event, in the same way that during the war the British and German soldiers famously played a game of football on Christmas day?

From the rest of your post it also sounds like you don't want F1 in Bahrain whilst the current regime is in place, there is nothing there that singles out anything wrong with the UniF1ed campaign other than it does not further the revolutionaries agenda.

@franciscoevaldez - thanks for posting but it's hard to take an objective look at the situation without adequate pictures (there are no pictures at all in the two articles, let alone wide angled shots showing the scale of the protests). The final couple of paragraphs in the second article are also somewhat farcical, with the wife of a hunger striker saying how bad the government are and how they want her husband dead because her husband is on hunger strike to protest against the government. Whether or not you are sympathetic to their cause that article at least is full of anti-government propaganda.

[myurr]

I would laugh at the royals and Bernie all the way to the bar and have a stiff drink.

To me that adds nothing to the debate as to why the race should run or not, and perfectly highlights how you are indeed politicising the grand prix.

[WhiteBlue]

@WhiteBlue - so the big problem with the UniF1ed campaign is that some people want regime change and won't be happy or stop criticising the regime until they are gone? To be honest that shouldn't be F1's concern. Why can't the people unite for a sporting event, in the same way that during the war the British and German soldiers famously played a game of football on Christmas day?

From the rest of your post it also sounds like you don't want F1 in Bahrain whilst the current regime is in place, there is nothing there that singles out anything wrong with the UniF1ed campaign other than it does not further the revolutionaries agenda.

That football game was a spontaneous reaction by the people in that situation. If that is what the activists in Bahrain want to do I would be perfectly happy with it. With regard to the Unif1ed campaign I'm not so dumb to believe in the propaganda and so should be every intelligent and educated person. Regarding sympathies with the royals or the opposition I'm clearly in the camp of human rights, political self determination and democracy. I have made my position clear enough and there is no further need for paraphrasing.

I would laugh at the royals and Bernie all the way to the bar and have a stiff drink.

To me that adds nothing to the debate as to why the race should run or not, and perfectly highlights how you are indeed politicising the grand prix.

The comment wasn't intended to add to the political debate. It was just an idea how a non violent solution to this mess could be achieved. I hope the Bahrainis find something equally funny and spectacular to put egg on Bernie's face. I would not mind missing the GP one bit if it cannot run.

[franciscoevaldez]

@myurr - you are completely right, it is impossible to be objective even with the right picture, but I wasn't trying to sympathize with protesters at all, my point was presenting evidence that manifestations and clashes are taking place and, as WhiteBlue has expressed, have the race a direct target.
I think whether you agree or not with protesters, it cannot be denied that the race is under threat. Taking what WB posted above, with security being extremely difficult to control in such an open event, is the race still safe?

and nevermind, if it were up to me, I would have never have F1 set foot in such a dull track in the first place

[mx_tifoso]

Seeing how the contract is already set, I don't mind F1 going to Bahrain for the GP. If I worked in the series I would go without hesitation.

[Crucial_Xtreme]

No confirmation of this yet, it could be total BS, but it could be true. Considering it comes from a former McLaren race mechanic, I give it credit until proved wrong.

"Just heard that a Force India F1 hire car was caught up a petrol bomb incident earlier this evening!"

https://twitter.com/#!/f1elvis/status/1 ... 2298452993

"I believe at least 1 team member involved has asked to be flown home as soon as possible. Can't blame him!"

https://twitter.com/#!/f1elvis/status/1 ... 3963694080

[myurr]

...With regard to the Unif1ed campaign I'm not so dumb to believe in the propaganda and so should be every intelligent and educated person. Regarding sympathies with the royals or the opposition I'm clearly in the camp of human rights, political self determination and democracy. I have made my position clear enough and there is no further need for paraphrasing.

The comment wasn't intended to add to the political debate. It was just an idea how a non violent solution to this mess could be achieved. I hope the Bahrainis find something equally funny and spectacular to put egg on Bernie's face. I would not mind missing the GP one bit if it cannot run.

You only believe the UniF1ed campaign is propaganda as you support regime change in the country. And to call anyone who disagrees with you 'stupid' is arrogant. Supporting a sporting event as a way to unite the people does not require you to support the regime or stupidly fall for their 'propaganda'.

And do you even know if the protestors are fighting for human rights, political self determination and democracy? It's always dangerous to generalise but thus far the Arab spring protests haven't lived up to that hype, nor do Shiite ruled countries feature high on the list of those that promote democracy, human rights or self determination. I stress that is a gross generalisation but at the same time sometimes you need to be careful what you wish for and F1 should steer well clear of taking either side.

[WhiteBlue]

http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2012/04/ ... ment-94272

F1 waltzes into a proverbial minefield - Joe Saward from Dubai. Well worth reading IMO.

And to call anyone who disagrees with you 'stupid' is arrogant.

Don't try that old baiting trick. I'm not even considering biting.

And do you even know if the protestors are fighting for human rights, political self determination and democracy?

I do. Read their Pearl charter - the program they set out in 2011.

• Overthrowing the tribal Al-Khalifa regime, which has lost its legitimacy, and bringing its heads and officials to trial, including Hamad the dictator, for the crimes against humanity that they have committed against our people.
• Ensuring the people's right to self-determination and ability to choose the political system that meets their ambitions and aspirations.
• Dismantling the current state security agencies and rebuilding them along modern standards that ensure safety and security for all citizens.
• Forming an independent and fair judiciary.
• Reinforcing the principle of separation of powers (Legislative, Executive and Judiciary).
• Maintaining national unity, preserving the social fabric, promoting justice and equality, and prohibiting any form of discrimination against citizens.
• Finding a realistic and fair solution to the problem of systematic political naturalization that has been created by the regime to change the original identity and demographics of the country.
• Preserving the Islamic and Arab identity of Bahrain.
• Forming a national body to oversee the election of a Constituent Assembly that will write a new constitution for the country after the fall of the Al-Khalifa regime.
• Ensuring the fair distribution of wealth while protecting national resources and gains for future generations.

[myurr]

That's all wonderful and nice, but what is the guarantee that it will actually happen? How has that been going in the other Arab spring countries? And most importantly of all what has that got to do with F1 and where we race?