It's ten PM in Bahrain

[Christiern]

Michael Jackson relaxes in Bahrain as guest of royal family

By ADNAN MALIK

Associated Press Writer

• (AP) - MANAMA, Bahrain-
  

Pop star Michael Jackson is vacationing as a guest of the royal family in the tiny Gulf kingdom of Bahrain, his first trip abroad since he was acquitted of child molestation charges.

Jackson arrived alone in Bahrain on Wednesday night. Earlier officials close to the royal family had said he came with his three children.

"He (Michael) is here to relax with friends, and we are proud and honored to welcome him," the king's son, Sheik Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, told The Associated Press. Sheik Abdulla is hosting Jackson.

"Michael is very well, very happy and very relaxed here," said Sheik Abdulla. The prince flew from Europe with Jackson on a private plane.

Sheik Abdulla, 30, said Jackson chose Bahrain, "because he heard so much, read and studied so much about Bahrain." His brother Jermaine knows the kingdom, which is the size of the U.S. state of Rhode Island.

The prince declined to reveal where Jackson was staying, but said: "Bahrain has a lot of beautiful places to offer."

"He would love his privacy and we will do our best to maintain the privacy he has," Sheik Abdulla said.

Jackson could be in one of several royal venues across the 33 island archipelago of Bahrain. Some royal retreats are sea-front resorts reachable only by a boat. Others are heavily guarded residences in the hilly desert terrain.

Sheik Abdulla said Jackson's visit was strictly holiday. "There are no business talks, he is just here to relax," he said.

Sheik Abdulla is a friend of Jackson's brother Jermaine, who has close links with Bahrain's royal circle. Jermaine was recently seen mingling with Bahrainis when he reviewed the track before the start of Bahrain's first Formula 3 race in December.

In January, Jermaine and Sheik Abdulla announced plans to launch a charity theme song, "He who makes the skies gray," which was written by the prince.

Bahrain has a relaxed social climate that is rare in the conservative Gulf. Women can swim and sunbathe at hotels and liquor is sold in bars, nightclubs and stores. Socializing between the sexes is unrestricted at air-conditioned malls, coffee shops and other public places.

Linked to Saudi Arabia by the King Fahd Causeway, Bahrain has become a close-to-home escape in the region dominated by strict Islamic traditions. Westerners who work in the neighboring Gulf state - oil workers, diplomats and business people - use the island as a getaway.

Jackson was found not guilty of child molestation in a California court on June 13.

[Man with the Golden Arm]

His reasons for going there are purely subliminal!

[ghost of miles]

In January, Jermaine and Sheik Abdulla announced plans to launch a charity theme song, "He who makes the skies gray," which was written by the prince.

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Sure to be at #1 in Bahrain for many months.

Edited July 1, 2005 by ghost of miles