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British Prime Minister briefed by DO on Maldives issue

Mariyam Mohamed - London, 10^th September 2004

Tony Blair

Prime Minister of Great Britain

The British Prime Minister Tony Blair was sent a letter by Ahmed Moosa (Sappe') Dhivehi Observer Editor in Chief, earlier this week requesting the Prime Minister to help Maldivians in their pursuit of democracy and freedom. Mr. Moosa said in his letter "Over the past 10 months, the situation has deteriorated severely (in the Maldives). The final blow to our hopes was on 13^th August 2004 when Gayyoom arrested hundreds of pro-reformists and labelled them as fundamentalist elements, terrorists or traitors, attempting to overthrow Gayyoom. The demonstration was a peaceful protest to release pro-reformists who were arrested during that week."

The communication also contained a detailed account of the events that led to the demonstration last month. Downing Street has today acknowledged by a letter, that Prime Minister has received it and thanked Mr. Moosa for this recent communication on the Maldives issue.

British Prime Minister and other Heads of Governments in Europe as well as the American President have been contacted personally by Parliament Members and other institutions in the respective country as a result of the international lobbying efforts by dissidents abroad. Their actions so far suggest that they are concerned about the well being of Maldives and that they are ready to work with the pro democracy movement, such as MDP and other dissidents around the world.

These pledges aims at getting support and recognition for the fight of the Maldivians to establish a democratic government in Maldives, free from the tyranny of ignorance and fear.