In a well-received public speech, Maldivian

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 COLOMBO 001012

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR SA, SA/INS; NSC FOR E. MILLARD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06-17-14
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL MV
SUBJECT: In a well-received public speech, Maldivian
President proposes sweeping constitutional reforms

Refs: (A) Colombo-SA/INS 06-17-04 unclass email
- (B) Colombo 842, and previous

(U) Classified by Ambassador Jeffrey J. Lunstead.
Reasons 1.5 (b,d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: In a June 9 landmark public speech,
Maldivian President Gayoom recommended a series of
constitutional reforms to be considered by a special
parliamentary session. Gayoom's proposals would mark a
great step forward in building democracy in Maldives.
They have been well-received as Maldivians feel he has
recognized the larger public debate on increased
political openness that has begun across the nation.
Members for the Special Majlis have been selected,
representing a cross section of political views, and are
set to begin work on the proposed reforms in July. Some
powerful members of Gayoom's cabinet oppose the proposed
reforms. We believe that Gayoom's efforts to steer
change in a positive direction are laudatory and should
be supported by the international community. We suggest
a letter of encouragement and support be sent to him
from the Secretary. See Action Request in Para 10. END
SUMMARY.

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Gayoom publicly outlines reforms
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2. (C) On June 9, President Abdul Maumoon Gayoom hosted
a first-of-its-kind town hall meeting at the Islamic
Center on Male' to outline suggested constitutional
reforms (Ref A). Contacts have said that close to one
thousand people came to hear the President speak and
even members of the Majlis (Parliament) were not able to
find seats. Characterized as "historic and far-
reaching" by the government-owned press, HAVEERU, the
reforms will be considered by the Special Majlis (see
more below),when it convenes in July.


3. (C) Along with suggested changes to the judiciary
and the procedure for constitutional amendments,
highlights of Gayoom's constitutional reform proposals
follow:

Presidency:
-- change the manner in which the president is elected
including possible direct election
-- set term limits for the office
-- allow women to run for the office
-- create a prime minister position to take over some of
the powers of the president.

Legislature:
-- abolish the category of appointed members in the
Majlis
-- elect members by proportional representation.

Fundamental Rights:
-- legalize political parties
-- give a constitutional mandate to the Human Rights
Commission.


4. (C) During the speech, Gayoom made clear that he was
speaking for himself only, and not on behalf of his
Cabinet. Minh Pham, UNDP Resident Representative for
Maldives, told the Ambassador that one of Gayoom's
greatest challenges to achieving his reforms would be
opposition from his closest political colleagues,
including the powerful Foreign Minister and Minister of
Defense and National Security. Pham felt, however, that
there was growing support for the impending reforms and
many Maldivians were reacting positively to the
President's suggestions. The challenge would be to keep
the process orderly so that those opposed to change
would not over-react. In the worst case, Pham thought,
the military (controlled by the National Security
Minister) might be tempted to step in.


5. (C) Separately, in a June 10 press statement, the
anti-Gayoom Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP),which is
currently prohibited in Maldives, also welcomed the
constitutional reforms proposed by the President.
Mohamed Latheef, MDP co-founder, said that he was
optimistic about Gayoom's speech and the possibility
that the reforms would be substantive. While MDP
members will push for full recognition of political
parties in Maldives, he cautioned that the government
needed to uphold what was already mandated, claiming the
constitution currently allowed political parties.

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Additional calls for change
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6. (C) The reforms that President Gayoom presented on
June 9 are not the only changes facing the country. The
government-owned news website HAVEERU has reported on
several other calls for increased governmental openness.
(The government was stunned in September 2003 when riots
rocked the capital, Male', in response to the abuse and
death of a prisoner on a nearby prison island and many
of the changes in Maldives were prompted by this event.)
For example, the Attorney General has proposed an
amendment to increase freedom of speech in the press, as
well as drafted a Freedom of Information Act bill for
the regular Majlis to consider in its next session.
Separately, HAVEERU reported on a public debate to
privatize some of the local Maldivian television
channels.

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Special Majlis ready to begin work
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7. (C) Preparations for the 100-member Special Majlis
to address the issues of constitutional reform are
proceeding. President Gayoom called for the special
session in February. Forty-two members were elected on
May 28 and 8 members were appointed by the President on
June 11 to augment the 50 regular Majlis members.
Gayoom swore in the new members of the Special Majlis on
June 15, with plans for the group to begin meeting in
mid-July. Government interlocutors have said they
expect the special session to last at least several
months. Noting that Gayoom had publicly asked all
citizens to submit suggestions for constitutional
changes, one GoRM official thought that the Special
Majlis could last for close to one year, depending on
the number of suggested reforms it received.


8. (C) In discussions about the composition of the
Special Majlis, Minh Pham said the 100-member group was
politically diverse with almost an equal number of
members favoring far-reaching reform as those wishing to
minimize it. This diversity is in contrast to the
makeup of the regular Majlis, which Pham characterized
as 80 percent anti-reform. Reinforcing Pham's analysis
of the Special Majlis members, a June newsletter from
the MDP also claimed victory in the Special Majlis
elections, stating "many prominent members" of the party
had won seats.

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Comment
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9. (C) After 25 years of autocratic rule, President
Gayoom seems to be aware of, and responding to, the
growing cadence of voices calling for more political
openness in the island nation. During A/S Rocca's call
on Gayoom on May 17 (Ref B),she recognized the economic
progress he had brought to Maldives and urged him to
leave a legacy of political progress. Gayoom seems to
be doing that and to be willing to confront many of his
own supporters while doing so. We believe we should
support Gayoom in these efforts. If Gayoom succeeds,
Maldives could serve as an example to the world of a
truly democratic and prosperous Muslim nation. We
suggest a letter of encouragement and support from the
Secretary (see suggested text below). END COMMENT.

SIPDIS

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Action Request
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10. (C) Suggested text of a letter from the Secretary
to President Gayoom:

Begin Text:
Complimentary Opening.

I would like to compliment you on your significant
efforts towards strengthening democracy and human rights
in Maldives. I read with great interest your June 9
public speech proposing substantial changes which would
increase the political rights of all Maldivian citizens.

We witness every day the struggle of people all over the
world to strengthen democracy. It is very encouraging
that you and your fellow Maldivians are working to
strengthen democracy in a peaceful and orderly manner.

I admire your leadership and encourage you and all
Maldivians to persevere with your reform efforts, which
can set an example for the world.

Complimentary Closing.
End Text.
END ACTION REQUEST.


11. (U) Minimize considered.

LUNSTEAD