Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08COLOMBO744
2008-08-07 11:42:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Colombo
Cable title:
MALDIVES: PRESIDENT GAYOOM RATIFIES NEW
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UNCLAS COLOMBO 000744
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INS; TOKYO FOR A/S BOUCHER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MV
SUBJECT: MALDIVES: PRESIDENT GAYOOM RATIFIES NEW
CONSTITUTION
REF: A. COLOMBO 686
B. COLOMBO 656
UNCLAS COLOMBO 000744
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INS; TOKYO FOR A/S BOUCHER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MV
SUBJECT: MALDIVES: PRESIDENT GAYOOM RATIFIES NEW
CONSTITUTION
REF: A. COLOMBO 686
B. COLOMBO 656
1. (U) As expected, President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom ratified
Maldives' new constitution on August 7, providing a legal
foundation for the first multi-party presidential elections
in Maldives' history. The new constitution sets up a
framework for several politically independent bodies, most
significantly an Election Commission and Supreme Court that
will oversee the upcoming vote and adjudicate any disputes
that arise from the results. Appointing the members of both
institutions will be the next major step in a series of
actions the government and opposition must work together to
accomplish before an October 10th deadline for the selection
of the next President.
2. (U) An opposition Maldives Democratic Party representative
described the ratification as a "big achievement" and said
the party planned a celebration in an open park on the
capital island of Male tonight. During an August 6 meeting
with the South and Central Asian Affairs A/S Boucher the
Police Superintendent had predicted public celebrations after
the announcement. NGO representatives working on monitoring
the upcoming election reported no public celebrations as of
1500. However, the public was reportedly happy with having
the day off, since the President had declared a national
holiday.
3. (U) In a telephone interview on August 7 with TV Maldives,
Ambassador welcomed the ratification of the new constitution
as an historic step. Echoing Assistant Secretary Boucher's
public and private comments during his August 6 visit, the
Ambassador congratulated the Government and opposition
parties for working together to achieve this milestone. But
he also cautioned that much important work remains to be
done. He urged that the opposition parties continue to work
with the Government both to pass the legislation needed to
implement constitutional reforms and also to appoint the
members of the Election Commission, independent judiciary and
other independent institutions that will be crucial to
ensuring that the upcoming Presidential elections are free
and fair.
4. (U) A full readout of Boucher's August 6 meetings in Male
will be reported septel.
BLAKE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INS; TOKYO FOR A/S BOUCHER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MV
SUBJECT: MALDIVES: PRESIDENT GAYOOM RATIFIES NEW
CONSTITUTION
REF: A. COLOMBO 686
B. COLOMBO 656
1. (U) As expected, President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom ratified
Maldives' new constitution on August 7, providing a legal
foundation for the first multi-party presidential elections
in Maldives' history. The new constitution sets up a
framework for several politically independent bodies, most
significantly an Election Commission and Supreme Court that
will oversee the upcoming vote and adjudicate any disputes
that arise from the results. Appointing the members of both
institutions will be the next major step in a series of
actions the government and opposition must work together to
accomplish before an October 10th deadline for the selection
of the next President.
2. (U) An opposition Maldives Democratic Party representative
described the ratification as a "big achievement" and said
the party planned a celebration in an open park on the
capital island of Male tonight. During an August 6 meeting
with the South and Central Asian Affairs A/S Boucher the
Police Superintendent had predicted public celebrations after
the announcement. NGO representatives working on monitoring
the upcoming election reported no public celebrations as of
1500. However, the public was reportedly happy with having
the day off, since the President had declared a national
holiday.
3. (U) In a telephone interview on August 7 with TV Maldives,
Ambassador welcomed the ratification of the new constitution
as an historic step. Echoing Assistant Secretary Boucher's
public and private comments during his August 6 visit, the
Ambassador congratulated the Government and opposition
parties for working together to achieve this milestone. But
he also cautioned that much important work remains to be
done. He urged that the opposition parties continue to work
with the Government both to pass the legislation needed to
implement constitutional reforms and also to appoint the
members of the Election Commission, independent judiciary and
other independent institutions that will be crucial to
ensuring that the upcoming Presidential elections are free
and fair.
4. (U) A full readout of Boucher's August 6 meetings in Male
will be reported septel.
BLAKE