:: Dhivehi Observer :: Peoples Press ::

Maldivians are told that European Community is lying to the world, you know no?

A.S.I.Moosa (Sappe')

Dhivehi Observer
Editor-in-chief

Editorial - Friday, 9^th September 2004

"We met all the demands of the fact finding mission.We arranged them to meet and interview government institutions. In addition, when requested we arranged for them to meet some detainees. We also gave that delegation the opportunity to meet with Members of the Constitutional Assembly. As a matter of fact, we don’t have to arrange all that during an investigation. Therefore the story that EU did not get access to detainees is not a true story" said the Maldives Foreign Minister in the press conference given to local media today.

This is typical of the regime of Gayyoom. They try to convince the locals that they are being accused wrongfully. In this case, Gayyoom’s government wants Maldivians to think that EU is lying to the world. This article was published in Dhivehi only in local papers.

Maldivian government is spinning the EU statement expressing concern over the situation in Maldives. Many Maldivians are relieved that unlike before an organisation such as the European Union is coming to their defence by calling on the Government of Maldives to repeal the Emergency and to reinstate all basic rights.

The leader of the delegation, Netherlands Ambassador Susan Blankhart, speaking on behalf of the European Union Heads of Mission, said, "The announcement of a state of emergency, and the subsequent mass arrests (including of many reformist leaders) seem to be a disproportionate reaction by the Maldivian authorities to what was a largely peaceful demonstration. These events have the potential to derail the reform process, which is at a crucial stage. The EU hopes that the government will press ahead with an open, inclusive, and thorough reform process, which will be the best way to ensure continued stability in the Maldives. EU will be paying close attention to developments."

Gayyoom perhaps miscalculated the gravity of his complete disregard for the rule of law. What is most amazing is that he is even now trying to project himself to be righteous and wise, telling his people and the world nothing but his own version of 'truth'.

The EU sent a Fact Finding Mission to the Maldives days after the Black Friday mass arrests on 13^th August. No formal reports have been published on their findings and we are informed that EU governments are still studying the case. Many Maldivians were shocked when Gayyoom reported on local TV and on government websites that the German government was satisfied with the finding of the Fact Finding Mission. Gayyoom continues to have complete control over media in the Maldives and websites like Dhivehi Observer and other dissident sites are blocked to stop the people in Maldives from finding out the truth or get a glimpse of the real picture.

Maldivians were pleased to learn that EU is carefully monitoring and assessing the situation when on the 6^th September, Head of the EU Mission accredited to the Maldives visited the Maldives and met with government officials there. In their official statement regarding this visit they explicitly said that they were not granted access to detained members of the constitutional assembly.

At first, soon after the press release by EU yesterday, 8^th September 2004, the government spokesman Dr. Shaheed told the BBC that it was a misunderstanding and that the EU Fact Finding Mission was granted access to the detainees.

The press briefing at the Foreign Ministry today was a clear statement of intent of the government of Maldives to continue with its policy of torture and repression. One wonders how much longer Gayyoom can keep lying to the people of Maldives and keeping the vast majority in the dark.

European sanctions will certainly go a long way in bring this man to his real senses. What matters in the world today is interdependency and no regime or community will survive anymore without building fruitful partnerships and alliances.