ABU DHABI Ñ The U.S. Fifth Fleet has ordered its personnel to walk
away from any dispute with Bahrainis.
The order was meant to reduce the profile of the U.S. military presence
in Bahrain amid rising anti-American sentiment. The sentiment has fueled
demonstrations that call for the expulsion of the Fifth Fleet and the U.S.
embassy from the kingdom.
Fifth Fleet commanders have been meeting with sailors and other
personnel in wake of a clash between American troops and Bahrainis outside
Manama. The brawl was sparked by a dispute over a $10 downpayment on a
wedding dress.
Capt. Roy Holbook, commander of the Naval Support Activity, held two
so-called town hall meetings and told sailors to stay away from explosive
situations in Bahrain. Holbrook warned the sailors to walk away from any
dispute with the local population.
"The U.S. Navy is not here to support trouble of this kind," Holbrook
said.
The commander warned of the potential for the exploitation of even
simple disputes that involve Americans by anti-U.S. forces in Bahrain. He
referred to the dispute over the wedding dress that soon led to hundreds of
Bahrainis attacking U.S. sailors and subsequent anti-American protests.
The U.S. Navy has tried to assuage Bahrain in the aftermath of Sunday's
brawl. The sailors involved in the clash were said to have been flown out of
the country on
Tuesday.
In Washington, the State Department has warned U.S. nationals to be on
the alert for any attacks in Bahrain. The department urged Americans to
avoid crowded areas.
