MALDIVES: INVITATION TO INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF

UNCLAS COLOMBO 000990 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL OVIP KDEM MV SUBJECT: MALDIVES: INVITATION TO INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE NEW PRESIDENT REF: COLOMBO 982 ¶1. U.S. Embassy Colombo received the following diplomatic note from the Maldives Foreign Ministry. ¶2. BEGIN TEXT: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives presents its compliments to all Diplomatic/Consular Missions, Offices of the United Nations System and other Representative Missions/Offices accredited to the Republic of Maldives and has the honour to inform that His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldivian Democratic Party has been elected, on 28 October 2008, as the third president of the second republic of the Republic of Maldives for a five-year term beginning 11 November 2008. The official inauguration ceremony of His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Nasheed will be held in Male on 11 November 2008 at 1100 hrs "Dharubaaruge." The Government of the Republic of Maldives is pleased to invite high level delegations from all our international partners to attend the official inauguration ceremony. In view of the large number of foreign dignitaries expected to attend the ceremony, the Ministry would greatly appreciate receiving by 7 November 2008, a confirmation of the representation in addition to the following information. 1- Name and title of the head of delegation 2- Name of the family members accompanying the head of the delegation (please indicate the age of the children) 3- Date and flight details (arrival and departure) 4- Number of rooms required to be reserved, and choice of Hotel/Resort (Kurumba Maldives, Full Moon Maldives, Bandos Island Resort, Hulhule Island Hotel and Hotels in Male are KAM hotel, Central hotel, Nalahiya hotel and Baani Hotel. Room rates of the hotel are attached) The Government of the Republic of Maldives would provide sea and land transportation for the invites on a collective basis for all official functions. Protocol arrangements and normal courtesies will be extended on arrival and departure. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives avails itself of this opportunity to renew to all Diplomatic/Consular Missions, Offices of the United Nations System and other Representative Missions/Offices accredited to the Republic of Maldives, the assurances of its highest consideration. END TEXT. ¶3. Dharubaaruge is the main convention hall in Male, the capital of Maldives. Post will e-mail SCA/INS the annexed list of hotels and room prices. Blake