Maldives: A/S Rocca's visit shows reform has

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 05 COLOMBO 000842 SIPDIS NOFORN DEPARTMENT FOR SA, SA/INS NSC FOR E. MILLARD E.O. 12958: DECL: 05-20-14 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM ECON SENV MOPS MV SUBJECT: Maldives: A/S Rocca's visit shows reform has momentum Refs: Colombo 698, and previous (U) Classified by Ambassador Jeffrey J. Lunstead. Reasons 1.5 (b, d). ¶1. (C/NF) SUMMARY: Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Christina B. Rocca visited Maldives, May 16-17. Highlights of the visit included meetings with President Gayoom, FM Fathulla Jameel, Defense Minister Adam, Human Rights Commissioner Mujthaba, and UNDP Resident Representative Minh Pham. During the meetings, A/S Rocca discussed the GoRM's plans for political reform, including the upcoming special session of the Majlis (parliament),Maldives' least developed country (LDC) status, and the Maldivian detainee in Guantanamo, among other subjects. GoRM interlocutors emphasized their full commitment to moving forward with political reforms. A/S Rocca's visit highlighted U.S. interest in Maldives and underscored our strong support for the democratic reform agenda. END SUMMARY. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Meeting with President Gayoom =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= ¶2. (C) During their visit to Male', Assistant Secretary Christina Rocca and Ambassador Lunstead met with Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom on May 17. A/S Rocca said the U.S. appreciated Maldives' moderate voice as an Islamic nation in international matters. She said that Gayoom had achieved great economic success in Maldives. The current attempt to reform the political system through the convocation of a Special Majlis ("Parliament") to amend the Constitution was an opportunity to match that economic achievement and leave his legacy for the future. ¶3. (C) Gayoom said that after the vote for the Special Majlis on May 28, he would suggest areas where the Majlis could consider changes. The Majlis members would decide, in an open and transparent fashion, and then he would approve the changes. The Ambassador said that he had seen a dramatic change in atmosphere in Maldives in his three visits over the last six months. It appeared now that all Maldivians agreed on the need for political change; the question was the breadth and the pace of change. Gayoom said that he had already brought in a number of changes. The police were being separated from the Defense Ministry and moved to the Home Ministry. Those accused of crimes now had access to legal counsel immediately, and all interrogations were to be recorded. The Human Rights Commission had been established, and the prison system was being reformed to emphasize rehabilitation. ¶4. (C) On the issue of graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, Gayoom said that Maldives was proud to graduate and would not want to be an LDC forever. However, they needed a transition strategy, because of the country's unique needs. Just two weeks ago, a tidal surge had caused havoc on a number of northern islands, punching large holes in the breakwaters surrounding the islands. Gayoom then passed out photos of that damage. Maldives would continue to need assistance to deal with such challenges. The Ambassador noted that there might be some opportunities for the U.S. to provide some technical assistance, even if project assistance were not available, and noted that various USG agencies, such as the Army Corps of Engineers, might be able to offer such technical assistance. Gayoom said the Maldives would be grateful for anything we could do. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Discussions with MFA Officials =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= ¶5. (C) In his May 17 meeting with A/S Rocca, Foreign Minister Fathulla Jameel discussed political change in the Maldives, as well as wider political change in the region. Jameel was particularly upbeat about the upcoming Special Majlis, speaking generally about the session's potential for strengthening democratic rights in the Maldivian Constitution. He also spoke of the work that the Majlis and Attorney General's office had been undertaking, specifically to draft laws addressing areas in the Constitution that called for actions in "accordance with the law," as well as laws to address new issues, such as intellectual property rights. Calling the Human Rights Commission an "exciting development," Jameel was hopeful that the body would be adequately independent and an appropriate watchdog, without interfering with the process of law. On the trade front, Jameel also stated that the GoRM was dealing with discrepancies in export goods -- mainly garments -- being falsely certified as being of Maldivian origin. Econoff replied that Maldivian customs officials had an excellent working relationship with U.S. customs officials on this matter. Jameel, overall, was quite appreciative of Maldives' strong and growing relationship with the U.S., noting the recently signed MOU on the American Corner (see below) and the continuing development of the Fulbright program. In response, the Assistant Secretary commended Jameel on the tremendous advances the country had achieved in the last 30 years. ¶6. (C/NF) Turning to the issue of the Maldivian detainee at Guantanamo, Jameel reiterated the GoRM's request for his return. A/S Rocca replied that the USG was ready to begin discussions about his eventual return, but that the U.S. would likely insist on certain conditionalities, such as his being kept under constraint in Maldives. In response, Jameel said the GoRM would be willing to take appropriate action upon his return, after knowing more about the situation. (In a separate May 16 conversation, the Deputy Foreign Minister and A/S Rocca agreed that the best course of action forward would be for Maldivian Ambassador to the U.S. Mohamed Latheef to work directly with the Department in Washington. Human Rights Commissioner Ahmed Mujthaba also asked the Assistant Secretary about the status of the Maldivian detainee -- a conversation reported on May 19 on HAVEERU, the government-controlled English-language news website.) ¶7. (C) Speaking more widely about relations among countries in the South Asia region, Jameel was looking forward to the next South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Foreign Ministers meeting scheduled for some time in July, noting that with the recent Indian election it would likely be the first meeting between the new Indian FM and Pakistani FM Kasuri. Jameel was also optimistic about SAARC's efforts regarding a possible regional free trade agreement plus security and counterterrorism coordination. A/S Rocca underscored continuing U.S. support for SAARC. ¶8. (C) A/S Rocca also met on May 16 with Deputy Foreign Minister Hussain Shihab. He welcomed the Assistant Secretary's visit, calling it well-timed given what he SIPDIS said were the GoRM's efforts to make itself more effective and responsive. Citing two specific changes in recent months, Shihab said the government now required all interrogations to be recorded (electronically) and now permitted any detained citizen to have a lawyer present from the beginning of the law enforcement-judicial process. (A September 2003 prison riot over the death in custody of a prisoner followed by rioting on Male' was a key factor that led the GoRM to begin to address prison system reform issues.) Discussing the planned Special Majlis, A/S Rocca asked Shihab about its exact mandate. Shihab stated that while some suggestions for constitutional change would come from the President's Office, it was incumbent upon the session's 100 participants -- 50 regular Majlis members plus 50 others to be elected on May 28 -- to also put forward ideas. ¶9. (C) Shihab went on to ask about the status of an earlier request for a Maldivian branch of a U.S. pilot school. Econoff replied that the FAA was hesitant to establish overseas pilot schools. In response to Shihab's confirmation that the GoRM was still interested in the pilot school idea, econoff said the U.S. would review the request. Shihab also asked about the status of a request for consultations between the Maldivian Health Ministry and U.S.-based doctors. The Ambassador advised that the U.S. National Institutes of Health had been contacted, but the U.S. was waiting for a GoRM reply on the specialities and fields of interest of the Maldivian health professionals. Shihab said he would send information on this topic through Ambassador Latheef in New York. ¶10. (C) Following their discussion, Shihab and A/S Rocca signed a memorandum of understanding providing for the establishment of an "American Corner" in the Maldivian National Library. Shihab expressed his appreciation for this enhancement in the two countries' bilateral relationship, and added that the resources in the "American Corner" alcove would increase Maldivians' understanding of U.S. and world issues. The Assistant Secretary also highlighted this step forward in U.S.- SIPDIS Maldivian relations and said that the program's connection with the National Library was particularly helpful in allowing for resources to be centrally located and accessible to all Maldivians. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Meeting at Defense Ministry =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= ¶11. (C) A/S Rocca met May 16 with Abdul Sattar Adam, Minister of State for Defense and National Security, who also spoke about President Gayoom's political reform agenda. He welcomed the upcoming special Majlis session and the ongoing drafting and debate of the bill formally establishing the Human Rights Commission. Adam went on to speak positively about the planned September 2004 transfer of the police from his ministry to the Home Affairs Ministry. Such separation of the police and defense forces was a wise idea and should work to improve governance, the Ambassador noted. Adam agreed but indicated that, after the transfer, the police forces might be lacking in manpower and non-lethal weapons expertise. A/S Rocca noted the upcoming program in which U.S. Treasury officials were scheduled to come to Maldives to work with their Maldivian counterparts on combating money laundering and terrorist financing. She added that the U.S. continued to explore additional avenues for training. The Ambassador and Adam both expressed their support for the ongoing discussions between the two countries' military services. Adam also remarked that the fire department would remain in his ministry and asked if there was any U.S. program that could provide training for firefighting personnel. The Ambassador replied that we could help identify organizations in the U.S. that might help, as he was unaware of any State Department-organized assistance in this area. ¶12. (C) Ambassador said that we appreciated Maldives' friendship and assistance. He noted that our two militaries had a good cooperative relationship, and Maldives had helped us out, for example, when we needed an urgent landing clearance. Adam emphasized Maldives' commitment to helping the U.S. in the global fight against terrorism. Ambassador said our governments should look for ways to cooperate even more closely, and offered to arrange some briefings on how we might to so. Adam enthusiastically agreed, saying, "Whatever you need, we will do." =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Human Rights Commissioner reviews plans =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= ¶13. (C) During their May 16 meeting, Ahmed Mujthaba, head of the Human Rights Commission (HRC),and A/S Rocca discussed the status of the draft HRC bill, the work with which the Commission was involved, and the HRC's needs as it tried to get fully up to steam. Optimistic about the draft HRC bill now being reviewed in a Majlis committee, Mujthaba felt that the current version of the bill reflected some of the concerns of the Commission, namely the body's need for independence from the government and its need to be able to continue an investigation even after a case has been referred to the legal system. ¶14. (C) Mujthaba said there were plans to hire additional lawyers to increase the Commission's capacity for conducting investigations -- to date, over 70 complaints had been received and the nine commissioners had met 35 times since the HRC's December 2003 inception. If the current draft of the bill passed, officially separating the HRC from the government, Mujthaba said he would also have to hire new commissioners, as some commissioners were currently government employees and may be ineligible for continued service with the Commission. He also touched on plans to increase public consciousness on human rights issues, including one workshop planned for June to increase awareness about human rights among members of the media. The Ambassador commented that several U.S.-based organizations involved with capacity building and training on human rights issues may also be able to provide assistance. Mujthaba stated his interest in such assistance, but wanted to proceed carefully with any high profile organization to avoid antagonizing any MPs not in favor of the commission and thereby possibly putting the draft HRC bill in jeopardy. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Meeting with UNDP Representative =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ¶15. (C) In a May 16 conversation with A/S Rocca, UNDP Resident Representative in the Maldives Minh Pham (Amcit -- pls strictly protect) focused his remarks on the country's proposed graduation from LDC status and the newly establish Human Rights Commission. Regarding LDC graduation, Pham said he thought government opinion, originally centered on delaying graduation, had slowly swung to acceptance (a view that was confirmed to A/S Rocca during her meeting with President Gayoom the following day). A feature of graduation would be an appropriately structured and paced transition strategy, Pham said, and the UNDP was ready to help the GoRM develop such an action plan. The UNDP was also intent on working with the HRC to build capacity within that body and increase its standing among international human rights organizations. =-=-=-= COMMENT =-=-=-= ¶16. (C) A/S Rocca's visit highlighted U.S. interest in Maldives and underscored our strong support for democratic reforms. As noted, after years of semi- autocratic one-man rule by Gayoom, the political reform agenda has really taken off in Maldives in the past several months. In the meeting with A/S Rocca, Gayoom was relaxed and carried the discussion on for twice the scheduled length. He does seem convinced of the need to go forward with political reform; a question remains whether some of his cronies can thwart these plans, or at least retard the pace. With expectations so high, murmurings of discontent are likely if moves toward genuine reform are seen as being kicked down the road. ¶17. (C) COMMENT (Continued): With Maldives in this transition stage, targeted assistance in various areas could have a significant impact. Maldives may be that rarity today -- a friendly Islamic country moving of its own accord towards a more democratic system. That is something we should encourage. Septels will follow with suggestions on how we might proceed. END COMMENT. ¶18. (U) Assistant Secretary Rocca did not have an opportunity to review this message before departing Post. ¶19. (U) Minimize considered. LUNSTEAD