Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07COLOMBO124
2007-01-22 09:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Colombo
Cable title:
MALDIVIAN FOREIGN MINISTER AGREES TO QUIET
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHLM #0124 0220911 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 220911Z JAN 07 FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5204 INFO RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 0020 RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 0060 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 6755 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 3458 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0521 RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO 3550 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 0703 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0518 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 000124
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/INS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/21/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV MV
SUBJECT: MALDIVIAN FOREIGN MINISTER AGREES TO QUIET
DIPLOMATIC CONTACTS WITH ISRAEL BUT RULES OUT ANY CURRENT
INITIATIVE DUE TO POLITICAL DIVISIONS IN MALE
Classified By: Ambassador Robert O. Blake, Jr. for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 000124
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/INS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/21/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV MV
SUBJECT: MALDIVIAN FOREIGN MINISTER AGREES TO QUIET
DIPLOMATIC CONTACTS WITH ISRAEL BUT RULES OUT ANY CURRENT
INITIATIVE DUE TO POLITICAL DIVISIONS IN MALE
Classified By: Ambassador Robert O. Blake, Jr. for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) During a January 16 trip to Male', Ambassador
encouraged Foreign Minister Ahmed Shaheed to consider
establishing LOW-KEY diplomatic contacts with Israeli
officials with a view to establishing full diplomatic
relations at a future date. (Note: The Ambassador had
earlier discussed this idea with Israeli Ambassador David
Danieli who resides in Delhi but follows Maldivian affairs.)
The Ambassador noted that one hallmark of leading and
moderate Islamic nations is whether they have diplomatic
relations with Israel, citing the positive examples of Egypt
and Turkey. A Maldivian decision to establish relations with
Israel would help cement Maldives' reputation as a moderate
Islamic nation and could also pay dividends to Maldives in
the form of Israeli expertise and assistance with many of the
kinds of issues that both Israel and Maldives face such as
extremist Islam.
2. (C) Shaheed responded that his government was amenable in
principle to the idea, noting that President Gayoom said he
"did not want to be left behind" when Pakistan initiated
contacts with Israel. However, Shaheed added, it would be a
sensitive issue for the public, and now was not the right
time to initiate such contacts. Given the heavy pressure he
is facing from hardline Ministers and others in the Maldives
who oppose the efforts he and the Attorney General are
pursuing to encourage greater pluralism in the Maldives,
Shaheed expressed concern that news of any initiative by him
with Israel would be used by his opponents to attack him.
Likewise, he said some members of the opposition had
friendship or commercial ties to Israeli officials, and they
too might leak news of such contacts. The Ambassador
expressed understanding for Shaheed's delicate position, but
noted that Israeli Ambassador David Danieli who resides in
Delhi would be pleased to meet discreetly in Delhi or a third
country of Shaheed's choice. Shaheed warmed to the idea and
said he planned to be in Delhi in February and might seek to
contact Danieli then. Ambassador provided Ambassador
Danieli's contact informationto Shaheed.
3. (C) Ambassador briefed Danielion this conversation on
January 22. Danieli thaned the Ambassador for his
initiative and confirmd he would be prepared to meet Shaheed
at a dateand place of Shaheed's choosing.
4. (C) Commen: Given the current political ferment in
Maldivs, it is unlikely the Government there will agree to
any formal initiatives at this time. But the mderate and
progressive Shaheed understands the bnefits that could
accrue to Maldives from such amove and enjoys the backing of
President Gayoom o at least begin quiet contacts.
BLAKE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/INS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/21/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV MV
SUBJECT: MALDIVIAN FOREIGN MINISTER AGREES TO QUIET
DIPLOMATIC CONTACTS WITH ISRAEL BUT RULES OUT ANY CURRENT
INITIATIVE DUE TO POLITICAL DIVISIONS IN MALE
Classified By: Ambassador Robert O. Blake, Jr. for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) During a January 16 trip to Male', Ambassador
encouraged Foreign Minister Ahmed Shaheed to consider
establishing LOW-KEY diplomatic contacts with Israeli
officials with a view to establishing full diplomatic
relations at a future date. (Note: The Ambassador had
earlier discussed this idea with Israeli Ambassador David
Danieli who resides in Delhi but follows Maldivian affairs.)
The Ambassador noted that one hallmark of leading and
moderate Islamic nations is whether they have diplomatic
relations with Israel, citing the positive examples of Egypt
and Turkey. A Maldivian decision to establish relations with
Israel would help cement Maldives' reputation as a moderate
Islamic nation and could also pay dividends to Maldives in
the form of Israeli expertise and assistance with many of the
kinds of issues that both Israel and Maldives face such as
extremist Islam.
2. (C) Shaheed responded that his government was amenable in
principle to the idea, noting that President Gayoom said he
"did not want to be left behind" when Pakistan initiated
contacts with Israel. However, Shaheed added, it would be a
sensitive issue for the public, and now was not the right
time to initiate such contacts. Given the heavy pressure he
is facing from hardline Ministers and others in the Maldives
who oppose the efforts he and the Attorney General are
pursuing to encourage greater pluralism in the Maldives,
Shaheed expressed concern that news of any initiative by him
with Israel would be used by his opponents to attack him.
Likewise, he said some members of the opposition had
friendship or commercial ties to Israeli officials, and they
too might leak news of such contacts. The Ambassador
expressed understanding for Shaheed's delicate position, but
noted that Israeli Ambassador David Danieli who resides in
Delhi would be pleased to meet discreetly in Delhi or a third
country of Shaheed's choice. Shaheed warmed to the idea and
said he planned to be in Delhi in February and might seek to
contact Danieli then. Ambassador provided Ambassador
Danieli's contact informationto Shaheed.
3. (C) Ambassador briefed Danielion this conversation on
January 22. Danieli thaned the Ambassador for his
initiative and confirmd he would be prepared to meet Shaheed
at a dateand place of Shaheed's choosing.
4. (C) Commen: Given the current political ferment in
Maldivs, it is unlikely the Government there will agree to
any formal initiatives at this time. But the mderate and
progressive Shaheed understands the bnefits that could
accrue to Maldives from such amove and enjoys the backing of
President Gayoom o at least begin quiet contacts.
BLAKE