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Editorial
Prime Minister Tony Blair is a democratic leader, not an evil dictator like Maumoon Gayyoom

Editorial, 6th October 2004

The British Government will not turn a blind eye to the political and legal problems in Maldives. It is in the UK's interest to promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law, as expressed by Parliamentary Under Secretary Bill Rammell in a speech on 25 November 2003. Rammell is currently a Foreign Office Minister.

'There is no such thing any more as a quarrel in a faraway country which is indifferent to our interests...States where human rights are gravely violated, because the rule of law has broken down or because only repression and violence can sustain a ruling clique in power, are the main source of risk to our and our allies' security...So promoting democracy, human rights and the rule of law is right at the heart of working for our interests.'

Gayyoom's propaganda machine is working at full speed today after he received a letter from the Prime Minister of Great Britain, Tony Blair. According to the following Press Release (2004-598) on Gayyoom's official website, and local news bulletins on the government's propaganda outlets TV Maldives and Voice of Maldives, the president's office is implying that Tony Blair supports Gayyoom's illicit activities, such as political oppression, torture and imprisonment, and especially the continuing detention of nearly 200 reformists including popularly elected members of the Maldive Parliament and the Constitutional Assembly.

Here is a copy of Gayyoom's press release:

The British Prime Minister says the 9th June reform proposals will be a fitting culmination of President Gayoom's leadership
6 October 2004

The British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair has said that the reform proposals that President Gayoom had announced on 9th June were wide-ranging and comprehensive, and that they would be a fitting culmination of his leadership.

Prime Minister Blair made the statement in his reply to President Gayoom's letter of 22nd August, in which he had briefed the British Government on recent political developments in the Maldives. The letter was delivered to the British Government by the President's Special Envoy, Mr. Hassan Sobir, during his visit to the UK last month.

Prime Minister Blair noted that the Maldives had enjoyed stability, increasing prosperity and impressive development during President Gayoom's tenure. He said that he was encouraged to hear from the President that recent events in the Maldives had not swayed his commitment to the reform process.

Press Release reference number: 2004-598
http://www.presidencymaldives.gov.mv/v3/pages/News.php3?NewsID=2546

This spin-doctoring by Gayyoom is not new. He tends to report news like this to gain support from Maldivians who are not fully aware of the international criticism of Gayyoom's dictatorship. Some naive Maldivians are now saying the dictator has the full support of Tony Blair. This is what Gayyoom wants them to think.

On 5th September, DO Chief Editor Ahmed Moosa (Sappe') wrote to Prime Minister Blair urging him not to ignore the pleas of Maldivians striving for liberty and freedom. The Prime Minister kindly replied and referred the matter to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and asked them to formally reply.

Below are scan copies of the letter received from Blair's Communications Unit at No.10 Downing Street on 10 September. The matter was referred to the Foreign Office, who replied on 30th September 2004 and clearly stated their concerns about the situation in the Maldives and the views of the British Government and the European Union as a whole.

There is no way that Prime Minister Blair would support a dictator like Gayyoom. British opposition to dictatorship is crystal clear from the following letters.

The DO Chief Editor spoke today with Matthew Morris at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office regarding Gayyoom's propaganda which was bringing Prime Minister Blair into disrepute among the local population of Maldives. DO also contacted the Press section at Prime Minister Blair's residence and briefed them about this extraordinary behaviour by Gayyoom.

The British Labour Party is unambiguous on the issues of democracy and freedom. No Western government will endorse a tyrant. They have nothing but contempt for President Gayyoom and his methods.