Adel
February 20th, 2009, 09:26 AM
Officials gear up for influx of US families
AMERICAN officials are gearing up for an influx of US citizens related to naval personnel stationed in Bahrain.
More than 650 families and non-essential staff were evacuated in July 2004 when the US Defence Department expressed concerns about their safety in the Gulf.
But the ban was overturned after Vice-Adm Gortney and other officials appealed for it to be lifted.
Vice-Adm Gortney, whose wife was the first dependent to come to Bahrain last November after the order was lifted, revealed greater numbers were expected to return for the start of the September school term.
He added more than a dozen relatives of US Navy sailors had already joined their relatives here.
More than 3,000 people are assigned to the US Navy in Bahrain and the 2004 exodus nearly led to the closure of the Bahrain School, due to the sudden departure of almost half of its children and many teachers.
Approval
"We are waiting the final approval for the children to come back," said Vice-Adm Gortney.
"We are planning for the start of the fall semester after the summer.
"We are hiring teachers for their return."
Vice-Adm Gortney said "force protection" modifications were already taking place around the school in preparation for an influx of students.
He said the move was an important part in helping build cultural exchanges between the American forces and Bahrainis.
"That is the importance of bringing the dependents and bringing the children back," said Vice-Adm Gortney.
"This is an example of how our two cultures can co-exist. "It is a stable and secure place and the Bahrainis look after us. "If we get the children together, when they grow older their cultures will mix."
AMERICAN officials are gearing up for an influx of US citizens related to naval personnel stationed in Bahrain.
More than 650 families and non-essential staff were evacuated in July 2004 when the US Defence Department expressed concerns about their safety in the Gulf.
But the ban was overturned after Vice-Adm Gortney and other officials appealed for it to be lifted.
Vice-Adm Gortney, whose wife was the first dependent to come to Bahrain last November after the order was lifted, revealed greater numbers were expected to return for the start of the September school term.
He added more than a dozen relatives of US Navy sailors had already joined their relatives here.
More than 3,000 people are assigned to the US Navy in Bahrain and the 2004 exodus nearly led to the closure of the Bahrain School, due to the sudden departure of almost half of its children and many teachers.
Approval
"We are waiting the final approval for the children to come back," said Vice-Adm Gortney.
"We are planning for the start of the fall semester after the summer.
"We are hiring teachers for their return."
Vice-Adm Gortney said "force protection" modifications were already taking place around the school in preparation for an influx of students.
He said the move was an important part in helping build cultural exchanges between the American forces and Bahrainis.
"That is the importance of bringing the dependents and bringing the children back," said Vice-Adm Gortney.
"This is an example of how our two cultures can co-exist. "It is a stable and secure place and the Bahrainis look after us. "If we get the children together, when they grow older their cultures will mix."