:: Dhivehi Observer :: Peoples Press ::

Gayyoom goes shopping for the NSS

DO International editor - Michael O'Shea, 30 November 2004

Gayyoom lied to Maldivians about his reasons for visiting Jordan. He claimed to be in Amman opening an international conference, but his secret business trip to the Jordanian arms manufacturing complex at the King Abdullah Design and Development Bureau (KADDB), with the Maldives chief justice Mohamed Rasheed Ibrahim, was exposed by Petra newsagency.

Established by Abdullah's royal decree in August 1999, KADDB, and the associated company Jordan Light Vehicle Manufacturing, are joint ventures with the British Jankel firm.

On its website, Jankel describes itself as 'special vehicle manufacturers, specialising in armour protected vehicles for law enforcement and VIP/staff protection requirements.' Jankel has 'production and development headquarters close to London with production locations throughout the UK and a joint venture with the Jordanian government with a production facility in Jordan for large volume low cost manufacture.'

Al Jawad

Stirling Tactical Intervention Vehicle

KADDB reconditions tanks and armoured vehicles, deals in a nasty little pistol aptly named the Viper, and offers a cut-price wheel re-rubbering service. KADDB also sells a large range of armoured personnel carriers specifically designed to transport troops and armed police during periods of urban unrest.

The Al Jawad vehicle sits firmly on its Ford F-450 standard chassis and is designed to carry 10 people, including its driver, in air-conditioned comfort to wherever public order is out of control. The Al Jawad bin Ford can be fitted with modular equipment, namely metal screens and ladder assault systems, but this vehicle seems too luxurious for the methods of Gayyoom's NSS.

Bloodstains and broken bodies would not be a problem with the Stirling Tactical Intervention Vehicle, a real workhorse designed to carry large loads of equipment or assault teams into buildings or aeroplanes. Attacking Male' families and setting fire to public buildings will be no problem for the NSS with the Stirling, which comes with a choice of heavy duty Chevrolet or Ford 4x4 truck chassis.

Jordan's KADDB claims to have 'values' that include operating 'within strict legal and ethical guidelines', but it was happy to publicise the business visit of South Asia's most notorious dictator. Another KADDB 'value' is maximising 'the share value of our joint venture operations', and the company lists among its 'assets and strengths' its ability to 'offer its partners a Gateway to the Middle East'.

KADDB and its British partner Jankel are offering Gayyoom the tools to terrorise Maldivians and stay in power, regardless of the outcome of elections, commissions of inquiry and public demands. Selling arms to gangsters like Gayyoom is the gateway to chaos and economic ruin. Is this the sort of Middle East that King Abdullah and his British friends want Maldivians to experience?