Background
Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa was born on January 4 in 1950. His father, Emir Isa bin Salman al Khalifa was at the helm from 1961 to 2002.
Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa was born on January 4 in 1950. His father, Emir Isa bin Salman al Khalifa was at the helm from 1961 to 2002.
Emir Hamad got primary education in the palace. After finishing school in 1964, he was declared heir to the throne. Then he was sent to Cambridge to learn English. Then for a while a young man returned home, and then he left for the United Kingdom again - in the Military School in Aldershot.
On his return to Bahrain he was entrusted to create the country's defense forces. Further acquisition of military skills was in the U.S. And as a result he received the position of the first minister of defense.
Bahrain used to be British colony and gained independence in 1971, only a few years ago it became the kingdom. And up to now the British hold the positions of advisers in the key ministries. It is said that without endorsement with them and Americans no one key decision is made at the level of executive power.
On his return to Bahrain he was entrusted to create the country's defense forces. Further acquisition of military skills was in the U.S. And as a result he received the position of the first minister of defense.
Sheikh Hamad has always strove to diverse knowledge, held numerous positions in government and public institutions, but armed forces has always been
his passion. After the sudden death of his father he was proclaimed Emir Hamad of Bahrain.
In 2002 he came to power and set course for implementation of democratic elections: declared amnesty for hundreds citizens that were denounced for disturbances in Bahrain, organized and implemented free democratic election in local board and Lower chamber, improved the women’s political rights.
The King of Bahrain is one of the most progressive governors among the Arabian Gulf. He has Bachelor's degree in political science and he is a Master of History and Philosophy. He strives to maintenance of social freedom, openness, religious and cultural indulgence.
As the current ruler of Bahrain took the title of king only in 2002, he represents the new royal dynasty.
Bahrain is called the most "Western", the most liberated among the States of the Arab world. Drinking, smoking and mesmerizing a baring stripper is allowed here. Your head or hand wouldn’t be cut off for this as in Saudi Arabia, which is located three dozen miles across the Bay. In Bahrain people almost doesn’t pay payroll tax. There has formed a queue from hostess from the entire world to work in local air company "Gulf", serving the Gulf countries.
In Bahrain, housed about 4,500 Marines from the so-called "Fifth Fleet" of U.S.. The evidence of the special affection of Washington and Manama is the fact that the King of Bahrain was the first foreign leader awarded an audience with George Bush after his recent re-election for a second term. The United States officially announced Bahrain its main military non-NATO ally.
Last September, the United States signed with Bahrain “Free trade agreement”, which gives Washington the right to get first preference at first in the Bahraini market and potentially in the markets of the Gulf, pushing back their rivals from Europe and Asia. The importance of this signed document for Americans reflects the fact that to lobby it in the Congress a powerful group of representatives of more than 50 American companies, a number of prominent senators and politicians was formed.
The September agreement caused an extremely negative reaction from Saudi Arabia, which considers itself the only true giant in the Gulf. The country, having a tremendous impact on five regional "dwarfs": Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, the UAE and Qatar in the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (CCASG), morbidly took the signing of the Bahrainis agreement with Americans, calling it "undermines the spirit of solidarity of the Gulf."
However, the king of Bahrain has clearly decided to bet on trade relations with the almighty Americans than on economic cooperation with regional "colossus" of Saudi Arabia. The U.S. is the largest economic partner of Bahrain. The last year trade turnover between the two countries amounted to 887 million dollars.
It is said that hardly had been heard about the Bahrainis negotiations with the Americans in Riyadh it was decided to close the oil pipe leading to Bahrain. The point is that before tens of thousands of barrels of oil per month was transmitted free to their "Muslim brother".
But the flow of tourists from Saudi Arabia who by thousands travel to Bahrain for entertainment at the end of the week is unlikely to stop. For some Saudis living on the most radical sharia laws a trip to Bahrain is like a convict release out of prison.
Sheikh Hamad hit upon the idea of creating the largest in the Gulf and in the Arab World Financial Center. In 2007, on the vast territory "Financial Harbor" will be created, the computer appearance of which is astonishing.