:: Dhivehi Observer :: Peoples Press ::

Gayyoom's Propaganda Machine www.presidencymaldives.gov.mv
Yesterday European Commission called for giving more time to the reform agenda proposed by the President

Editorial Note: This is a translation of the news article published in the President's Official Website yesterday upon the resolution being passed in the European Parliament on Maldives. Local TV and Radio are claiming that this Resolution is not worth anything and EU Commission is fully behind the government of Maldives. Furthermore, many local press is personally attacking Mr. Nirj Deva and maintaining the claim that the works by the dissidents is supported by Christian Missionaries, this is in reference to the Christian Democratic Party that Nirj Deva represents. Gayyoom's propaganda machine is in full swing.

Yesterday, the European Commission has called to give President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom more time to implement the reform agenda. The EU Commission made this statement because the European Parliament resolved on a motion to implement economic sanctions on Maldives.

The resolution of the European Parliament also called for the strengthening of the democratic system in the Maldives and to speed up the human rights protection work. The resolution also advised the EU Commission and members countries to stop the aid to the Maldives from EU.

In this motion, 153 votes was for the motion and 7 abstained. In a house of 732 members, 572 members did not attend and vote in this motion.

The senior person who worked to pass this motion was the Sri Lankan born, British resident Nirj Deva, who belongs to the Christian Democratic Party. In the motion proposed by him and his allies, there were several misinformation and errors, therefore the Government of Maldives invited a delegation of the European Parliament to visit Maldives and verify the facts before continuing with the debate. However, Mr. Nirj Deva declined the offer because of his time and work restrictions.

After the resolution was passed, European Commission made a statement in the Parliament that no action should be taken yet that could jeopardise the Maldives economy. The Commission statement also noted that President had already embarked on a reform agenda and some work has already been done in that front.

The functions of the European Union is such that these resolutions by the European Parliament are not binding to the member nations. Upon submitting this motion, the High Commission of Maldives in UK worked hard to clarify the errors and misrepresentations in the motion.

EU member countries will play a major role in implementing the resolution passed in the European Parliament. Therefore a special delegation of the Maldives government are meeting with the Heads of Missions of EU member countries in Colombo. Furthermore, the Maldives Foreign Ministry has already sent letters to embassies and foreign ministries of EU member countries clarifying the false information in this resolution.