Manama: Nov. 18 – (BNA) The State Minister for Information Affairs and Official Spokesperson for the Government, Sameera Bin Rajab, said that Ashoora should remain within its religious context and should not swerve into politicking.

The minister stressed the rejection of processions staged on the religious occasion that are called for by terrorist organisations and that promote political slogans under the pretext of religious rituals.

Those in charge of the processions should have made the difference between political violations and immoral breaches on one side and the genuine spirituality and religiosity of this occasion on the other, she said.

“I call for the due respect of such religious occasions so that we do not mess up our lives through such objectionable attitudes, not only in Bahrain but all over the world,” she said.

In reply to a question regarding the Government’s readiness before the rainy season, the minister said the Government engaged in early preparations and had plans to ward off any undesirable consequences of the rainstorms. She added that the concerned government ministers emphasized during the cabinet meeting their ongoing coordination in his regard, pointing out that Bahraini streets were first-rate according to international standards and specifications.

The Minister added that there was full compliance with high standards in infrastructures. “However, some areas are still in need of nonstop care for which a specific budget has been allocated,” she said.

Regarding the bill of law for the ratification of the air transportation agreement between Bahrain and Morocco, the Minister said that there were studies regarding the resumption of flights between the two countries.

The agreement is part of a set of accords signed with most countries on air transportation.

In comments on the memorandum submitted by the Minister of Industry and Commerce for the creation of a central registry for all agreements, conventions and memoranda in the Kingdom, the Minister said that it relates to all cooperation agreements and understandings signed by the Kingdom both regionally or internationally. The registry aims to archive these documents so as to facilitate continual follow-up and removal of any difficulties in accessing information and to tackle any shortcoming in implementing their clauses.

On the establishment of a specialized hospital for treatment of alcoholics and narcotics addicts following a proposal from the House of Representatives, the Minister expressed her delight that the construction of this hospital comes as part of developing the services currently being provided in this field. She said that this project was under studying.

Referring to the relief assistance approved by the Cabinet to the Philippines in the aftermath of the recent typhoon which hit the country, the Minister said it was part of the budget to helping peoples facing such disasters.

She added that the Minister of Justice and the Bahrain Red Crescent Society (BRCS) had agreed to provide assistance that included foodstuffs, materials, medicines and sundry necessities of life to victims of the typhoon.

Regarding British Telecom application to establish regional services headquarters for the company in Bahrain, the Minister said that the basic service that the company wishes to provide is the Voice over the Internet Protocol (VOIP) through the new generation of technology. (IY)

I.Y

BNA 1049 GMT 2013/11/18