Sunday, March 18, 2012
Maldives could face civil war: minister
Expressing ‘’concern’’ over Commonwealth seeking early polls, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dhunya Maumoon, yesterday said Maldives could face civil war.
Dhunya, daughter of former dictator Maumoon Gayoom, said a number of steps have to be taken before an early election date can be announced and it includes conclusion of all-party talks that the present government has initiated.
She welcomed the latest statement by Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) but said it’s a concern that early election is mentioned.
CMAG had this week expressed “disappointment” and “deep concern” at the “lack of progress achieved so far through the all-party talks process to arrive at a political settlement in Maldives that would enable the holding of early elections in the current calendar year, as expected by the Group.”
However Dhunya in a press conference said that without reaching an agreement through the talks, the nation could face a “civil war which may escalate and a nation like ours going for a civil war means a lot to the infrastructure and economy of the country”.
Arguing that the current regime headed by President Mohammed Waheed was “legitimate”, Dhunya stressed on the need for all-party talks.
She said foreign countries too believe that the present government is legitimate and if there is any doubt about its legitimacy, the government has formed a National Inquiry Commission and they are working with the assistance from international bodies such as UN.
Dhunya said without the co-operation of all parties, there is no way for an early election as the environment has worsened politically.
She said even the government shares CMAG’s concern about the talks.
She said ousted president Mohammed Nasheed’s party - Maldivian Democratic Party - is still blocking the way for the talks as well as the parliament session. Agencies
Source: http://www.gulf-times.com/
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Political upheaval should not affect Maldive climate policy - official
A change of leaders in the Maldives should not affect the country’s much-praised climate policy and the country remains committed to becoming the world’s first carbon neutral country, a top environmental official told AlertNet.
The Maldives, a collection of picture-perfect islands and small atolls in the Indian Ocean favoured by well-heeled tourists, is one of the world's countries most vulnerable to climate change.
It is the lowest-lying country on the planet, with an average ground level of 1.5 metres (5 feet) above sea level. Over the last century, sea levels have risen by about 20 cm (8 inches) and further rises could submerge the Maldives.
Ibrahim Naeem, head of the country’s Environmental Protection Agency, said the recent political upheaval which saw the overthrow of president Mohamed Nasheed, a well-known climate change campaigner, would not derail the Maldives’ leadership on climate issues.
“True, Nasheed has been very vocal and very popular with western society. He's really a good man advocating for (action on) climate change and the impacts we're facing in the Maldives,” Naeem told AlertNet.
“But I don't think this change will bring any change to the climate policy because it is (Nasheed’s) vice-president who's ruling the country now,” he said, speaking on the sidelines of the Second Asia Pacific Climate Adaptation Forum in Bangkok.
Naeem earlier told the audience at a panel discussion on challenges faced by small island states that “climate change is already knocking at our doors but… we are working very vigorously on that.”
“The Maldivians have been living in these islands for over 3,000 years and we don't have any intention to leave this country,” he insisted.
The country is moving to renewable energy - it has begun installing solar panels in several large buildings in the capital Malé and plans are ongoing to construct wind power generation facilities, he said. Even the Presidential Palace now runs on solar power, he said.
The country also has established seven water facilities in regional islands to help with increasing water shortages during the hot season and to reduce the cost of providing desalinated water from a central desalination plant.
‘POPULATION CONSOLIDATION’ POLICY
Perhaps the most ambitious project the country of about 400,000 is embarking on is what it calls the “Population Consolidation Policy,” in which resident of some of the smaller and remote islands with less than 200 inhabitants are being encouraged to move to larger regional hubs with better facilities and protection from flooding.
"We have to do that in order to survive because we can't afford to have sea walls or coastal protection around all the inhabited islands," Naeem said.
In an interview with AlertNet, he said the government will provide incentives for whoever is willing to move but the final number of relocations has not been decided.
“We have done a series of consultations with people who want to move and people who are willing to accept them. Those consultations took a very long time because sometimes some people don't like to move,” he said.
About 3,000 people have been moved so far, and care has been taken to ensure that islands selected for relocation have roads, facilities and land use plans to accommodate the newcomers, he said.
“It is very important for the international community to realise the importance of adaptation, not mitigation, to small island states like the Maldives because climate change is already here,” he said.
“The Maldives becoming carbon-neutral doesn't mean anything to the international world in terms of emissions because we emit very low amounts of carbon dioxide. But we want to show that if we can become carbon neutral, why not other countries?” he said.
“I think we have to be more serious and take action rather than talking and having meetings everywhere,” he said.
Source: www.trust.org/alertnet
Friday, February 17, 2012
Commonwealth ministerial mission arrives in Male
Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) ministerial mission arrived
in the Maldives capital, Male on Firday evening to assess the recent
power transfer from former President Mohamed Nasheed to his vice
president under controversial circumstances.
The mission's visit followed an extraordinary meeting of the CMAG last Sunday and during the three-day stay, the delegation is to talk with key interlocutors on circumstances surrounding the resignation of President Mohamed Nasheed on Feb. 7.
At the meeting, the Group had agreed to constitute a ministerial mission to visit Maldives "urgently to ascertain the facts surrounding the transfer of power, and to promote adherence to Commonwealth values and principles".
"This is a political mission, designed to enable ministers to gain a better understanding of the situation in Maldives. The Commonwealth's response must be informed by a proper understanding of the facts," after arriving in Male, the delegation in a statement said.
Over the next couple of days, we will be meeting a range of stakeholders which will enable us to brief CMAG on all relevant aspects of the situation," it stated.
This mission is seen in the context of the Commonwealth's long- standing engagement with Maldives and we hope that we can contribute to peace, stability and prosperity in the country," the mission led by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Communications of Trinidad and Tobago, Surujrattan Rambachan said. He is accompanied by Dr. Dipu Moni, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, and Dennis Richardson AO, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia.
Source: http://www.shanghaidaily.com
The mission's visit followed an extraordinary meeting of the CMAG last Sunday and during the three-day stay, the delegation is to talk with key interlocutors on circumstances surrounding the resignation of President Mohamed Nasheed on Feb. 7.
At the meeting, the Group had agreed to constitute a ministerial mission to visit Maldives "urgently to ascertain the facts surrounding the transfer of power, and to promote adherence to Commonwealth values and principles".
"This is a political mission, designed to enable ministers to gain a better understanding of the situation in Maldives. The Commonwealth's response must be informed by a proper understanding of the facts," after arriving in Male, the delegation in a statement said.
Over the next couple of days, we will be meeting a range of stakeholders which will enable us to brief CMAG on all relevant aspects of the situation," it stated.
This mission is seen in the context of the Commonwealth's long- standing engagement with Maldives and we hope that we can contribute to peace, stability and prosperity in the country," the mission led by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Communications of Trinidad and Tobago, Surujrattan Rambachan said. He is accompanied by Dr. Dipu Moni, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, and Dennis Richardson AO, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia.
Source: http://www.shanghaidaily.com
Friday, February 10, 2012
US recognises new government of Maldives
Washington: The United States on Thursday recognised the new government of Maldives President Mohamed Waheed as legitimate and urged him to fulfill a pledge to form a national unity government.
State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland also said Robert Blake, the top US diplomat for south Asia, telephoned former president Mohamed Nasheed to tell him Washington backed a "peaceful resolution" of the crisis on the archipelago.
"We do," Nuland told reporters when asked if Washington recognizes the new government as the legitimate government of the Maldives. She called Waheed the president and Nasheed the former president.
Blake, the assistant secretary of state for south Asian affairs, will travel Saturday to the Maldives to meet with both Waheed and Nasheed, who charges he was ousted in a coup, as well as civil society.
"He will be encouraging this national unity conversation," she added.
"Blake spoke this morning to former president Nasheed, conveying assurances that the United States supports a peaceful resolution of this," Nuland said.
Blake assured Nasheed who is facing arrest "that we are also expressing our views to the government that his security should be protected," Nuland said.
Unrest has spread to the far corners of the nation of more than 1,000 islands, as Waheed struggles to maintain order.
Nasheed, the country's first democratically elected president, who has hunkered down at his modest family home in the capital Male since losing the presidency on Tuesday, has appealed for urgent foreign help.
The United States is "also encouraging him, as we encouraged President Waheed that this needs to settled now peaceably through dialogue and through the formation, as the new president has pledged, of a national unity government," Nuland said.
A judge issued an arrest warrant Thursday for the ex-president, who says he was forced from office in a coup, as troops deployed to restore order after a night described by a presidential aide as "anarchy."
Source: http://www.ndtv.com/
State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland also said Robert Blake, the top US diplomat for south Asia, telephoned former president Mohamed Nasheed to tell him Washington backed a "peaceful resolution" of the crisis on the archipelago.
"We do," Nuland told reporters when asked if Washington recognizes the new government as the legitimate government of the Maldives. She called Waheed the president and Nasheed the former president.
Blake, the assistant secretary of state for south Asian affairs, will travel Saturday to the Maldives to meet with both Waheed and Nasheed, who charges he was ousted in a coup, as well as civil society.
"He will be encouraging this national unity conversation," she added.
"Blake spoke this morning to former president Nasheed, conveying assurances that the United States supports a peaceful resolution of this," Nuland said.
Blake assured Nasheed who is facing arrest "that we are also expressing our views to the government that his security should be protected," Nuland said.
Unrest has spread to the far corners of the nation of more than 1,000 islands, as Waheed struggles to maintain order.
Nasheed, the country's first democratically elected president, who has hunkered down at his modest family home in the capital Male since losing the presidency on Tuesday, has appealed for urgent foreign help.
The United States is "also encouraging him, as we encouraged President Waheed that this needs to settled now peaceably through dialogue and through the formation, as the new president has pledged, of a national unity government," Nuland said.
A judge issued an arrest warrant Thursday for the ex-president, who says he was forced from office in a coup, as troops deployed to restore order after a night described by a presidential aide as "anarchy."
Source: http://www.ndtv.com/
Maldives Govt to TIMES NOW
The
Home Minister of Maldives spoke to TIMES NOW correspondent assuring
that the former President is safe. This after there was confusion over
his whereabouts. The first democratically elected president of the
Maldives resigned on February 7 and was replaced by his vice president
after the police and army clashed in the streets of the island nation
amid protests over the arrest of a top judge.
Source: http://www.timesnow.tv
Source: http://www.timesnow.tv
No sign of danger to Maldives’ tourists says EU envoy
Tourism and fishing are the Maldives’ major industries, but now there is trouble in paradise.
The EU’s representative in the region told euronews: “At this stage, given our information, we would not say that there has been any legal infringement of constitutional forms.”
Bernard Savage, Head of the EU Delegation to Sri Lanka and the Maldives said: “We are not taking sides but, as the High Representative Cathy Ashton has made clear, what we support is the constitutional order, the rule of law and the continuance of democracy, and we expect all parties to refrain from violent actions and inflammatory rhetoric in order to ensure that the democratic transition of the Maldives continues.”
Around one million visitors a year enjoy the Maldives luxury getaway resorts. What about their safety in the current climate?
From his office in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Savage said: “Most tourists arrive in the Maldives into Hulhule Island, which is a separate island opposite Male, and then go from there directly to the resorts.”
“Resorts in the Maldives are all in what are classified as ‘uninhabited’ islands; there are no Maldivian nationals living there.”
“There is no indication that there is any physical danger,” he added.
“The operations at Hulhule Island are going ahead as normal. The question of the publicity that this gives to the Maldives is something which we will see in time, but clearly political unrest is never a good advert for a country.”
Source: http://www.euronews.net
The EU’s representative in the region told euronews: “At this stage, given our information, we would not say that there has been any legal infringement of constitutional forms.”
Bernard Savage, Head of the EU Delegation to Sri Lanka and the Maldives said: “We are not taking sides but, as the High Representative Cathy Ashton has made clear, what we support is the constitutional order, the rule of law and the continuance of democracy, and we expect all parties to refrain from violent actions and inflammatory rhetoric in order to ensure that the democratic transition of the Maldives continues.”
Around one million visitors a year enjoy the Maldives luxury getaway resorts. What about their safety in the current climate?
From his office in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Savage said: “Most tourists arrive in the Maldives into Hulhule Island, which is a separate island opposite Male, and then go from there directly to the resorts.”
“Resorts in the Maldives are all in what are classified as ‘uninhabited’ islands; there are no Maldivian nationals living there.”
“There is no indication that there is any physical danger,” he added.
“The operations at Hulhule Island are going ahead as normal. The question of the publicity that this gives to the Maldives is something which we will see in time, but clearly political unrest is never a good advert for a country.”
Source: http://www.euronews.net
Maldives ex-president Mohamed Nasheed was 'forced out'
Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed has said that he was forced to resign "at gunpoint" by police and army officers in a coup.
He said the move was planned with the knowledge of Vice-President Mohammed Waheed Hassan Manik, who has replaced him. Mr Hassan denies the claims.
Dozens of demonstrators - including Mr Nasheed - were injured as riot police used tear gas and batons against protesters in Republic Square.
Mr Nasheed quit on Tuesday amid unrest.
He announced his resignation after police joined opposition-led protests over the detention of a top judge.
Several thousand Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) supporters, led by Mr Nasheed, marched through the streets of the capital earlier on Wednesday in protest at his ousting.
Acting police commissioner Abdulla Fairooz said "around 40" people have been arrested in the protests, including former MDP chairperson Mariya Ahmed Didi.
The BBC's Andrew North, in Male, says soldiers in riot gear and police with batons charged the crowd and fired tear gas. The main square is now blocked off by soldiers and police.
Those detained include one of the former president's senior officials, our correspondent says. Other reports say MDP supporters threw petrol bombs at police and demanded Mr Nasheed be reinstated.
The head of the youth wing for the former ruling MDP, Shauna Aminath, said she was part of a crowd of protesters near Republic Square when riot police charged at them.
"The police here are animals. It was peaceful.. and then the police came straight at us. So many people have been injured," she told the BBC.
Mohamed Afaal, managing director at ADK hospital in Male, told the BBC that 14 people had been treated for injuries sustained due to the protests, none critically. Others wounded in the demonstrations have been taken to the main IGMH hospital.
Military spokesman Ibrahim Azim confirmed Mr Nasheed had "received some small injuries because the crowds were huge and he has been taken to hospital". His family have said he is now safely at home.
Meanwhile, residents and a police official said MDP demonstrators had seized some police stations on small islands outside of the capital.
'Guns all around me'
Mr Nasheed's whereabouts over the past 24 hours have been unclear at times and his aides have alleged he was being held against his will.
But on Wednesday, the Maldives first democratically elected president met party supporters and told them he would fight to get his job back. He urged Mr Hassan to stand down and called for immediate elections.
"Yes, I was forced to resign at gunpoint," he told reporters after the meeting. "There were guns all around me and they told me they wouldn't hesitate to use them if I didn't resign."
He told the AFP news agency in a telephone interview that he had gone to military headquarters on Tuesday where he found about 18 "middle-ranking" police and army officers in control.
"I wanted to negotiate the lives of the people who were serving in my government."
He added that he feared Mr Hassan - formerly his vice-president - was "in on" their plans.
The new president in turn criticised Mr Nasheed for wrongfully arresting Justice Abdulla Mohamed last month.
He denies a coup took place or that there was a pre-arranged plan for him to stage a takeover. Mr Hassan said his aim now was to form a coalition to help build a stable and democratic country ahead of fresh presidential elections due next year.
"We will respect the rule of law, we will uphold the constitution, the executive will not interfere in legislation and we will make sure that democracy is consolidated," he told a news conference on Wednesday.
He also promised to protect Mr Nasheed from retribution, pointing out that he was free to leave the country.
However he said he would not interfere with any police or court action against Mr Nasheed.
The authorities are reported to be investigating the discovery of bottles of alcohol at Mr Nasheed's former residence. Consuming alcohol outside tourist resorts is a crime in the Muslim nation.
'Rogue elements'
Protests over the arrest of Justice Mohamed are widely seen has having hastened the downfall of Mr Nasheed, who critics say acted unconstitutionally.
The judge was released soon after Mr Hassan took power.
The judge was accused of being loyal to the opposition by ordering the release of a government critic he said had been illegally detained.
Hours before Mr Nasheed's resignation, there had been a mutiny in police ranks which saw a few dozen officers side with protesters and then clash with soldiers in the streets.
The mutinying officers took control of the state broadcaster in the capital, Male, and began playing out messages in support of former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, an autocrat who ruled for more than 30 years.
Mr Nasheed, a former political prisoner, defeated him in the country's first multi-party elections in 2008.
British, US and Australian diplomats have flown in from neighbouring Sri Lanka to provide consular assistance, if needed, to tourists holidaying in the Maldives.
Foreign governments are advising those visiting the islands to be careful. The archipelago receives nearly a million visitors a year - but most head straight to their resorts and never reach the capital.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk
He said the move was planned with the knowledge of Vice-President Mohammed Waheed Hassan Manik, who has replaced him. Mr Hassan denies the claims.
Dozens of demonstrators - including Mr Nasheed - were injured as riot police used tear gas and batons against protesters in Republic Square.
Mr Nasheed quit on Tuesday amid unrest.
He announced his resignation after police joined opposition-led protests over the detention of a top judge.
Several thousand Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) supporters, led by Mr Nasheed, marched through the streets of the capital earlier on Wednesday in protest at his ousting.
Acting police commissioner Abdulla Fairooz said "around 40" people have been arrested in the protests, including former MDP chairperson Mariya Ahmed Didi.
The BBC's Andrew North, in Male, says soldiers in riot gear and police with batons charged the crowd and fired tear gas. The main square is now blocked off by soldiers and police.
Those detained include one of the former president's senior officials, our correspondent says. Other reports say MDP supporters threw petrol bombs at police and demanded Mr Nasheed be reinstated.
The head of the youth wing for the former ruling MDP, Shauna Aminath, said she was part of a crowd of protesters near Republic Square when riot police charged at them.
"The police here are animals. It was peaceful.. and then the police came straight at us. So many people have been injured," she told the BBC.
Mohamed Afaal, managing director at ADK hospital in Male, told the BBC that 14 people had been treated for injuries sustained due to the protests, none critically. Others wounded in the demonstrations have been taken to the main IGMH hospital.
Military spokesman Ibrahim Azim confirmed Mr Nasheed had "received some small injuries because the crowds were huge and he has been taken to hospital". His family have said he is now safely at home.
Meanwhile, residents and a police official said MDP demonstrators had seized some police stations on small islands outside of the capital.
'Guns all around me'
Mr Nasheed's whereabouts over the past 24 hours have been unclear at times and his aides have alleged he was being held against his will.
But on Wednesday, the Maldives first democratically elected president met party supporters and told them he would fight to get his job back. He urged Mr Hassan to stand down and called for immediate elections.
"Yes, I was forced to resign at gunpoint," he told reporters after the meeting. "There were guns all around me and they told me they wouldn't hesitate to use them if I didn't resign."
He told the AFP news agency in a telephone interview that he had gone to military headquarters on Tuesday where he found about 18 "middle-ranking" police and army officers in control.
"I wanted to negotiate the lives of the people who were serving in my government."
He added that he feared Mr Hassan - formerly his vice-president - was "in on" their plans.
The new president in turn criticised Mr Nasheed for wrongfully arresting Justice Abdulla Mohamed last month.
He denies a coup took place or that there was a pre-arranged plan for him to stage a takeover. Mr Hassan said his aim now was to form a coalition to help build a stable and democratic country ahead of fresh presidential elections due next year.
"We will respect the rule of law, we will uphold the constitution, the executive will not interfere in legislation and we will make sure that democracy is consolidated," he told a news conference on Wednesday.
He also promised to protect Mr Nasheed from retribution, pointing out that he was free to leave the country.
However he said he would not interfere with any police or court action against Mr Nasheed.
The authorities are reported to be investigating the discovery of bottles of alcohol at Mr Nasheed's former residence. Consuming alcohol outside tourist resorts is a crime in the Muslim nation.
'Rogue elements'
Protests over the arrest of Justice Mohamed are widely seen has having hastened the downfall of Mr Nasheed, who critics say acted unconstitutionally.
The judge was released soon after Mr Hassan took power.
The judge was accused of being loyal to the opposition by ordering the release of a government critic he said had been illegally detained.
Hours before Mr Nasheed's resignation, there had been a mutiny in police ranks which saw a few dozen officers side with protesters and then clash with soldiers in the streets.
The mutinying officers took control of the state broadcaster in the capital, Male, and began playing out messages in support of former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, an autocrat who ruled for more than 30 years.
Mr Nasheed, a former political prisoner, defeated him in the country's first multi-party elections in 2008.
British, US and Australian diplomats have flown in from neighbouring Sri Lanka to provide consular assistance, if needed, to tourists holidaying in the Maldives.
Foreign governments are advising those visiting the islands to be careful. The archipelago receives nearly a million visitors a year - but most head straight to their resorts and never reach the capital.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Ex-president's allies riot in Maldives, seize police posts
Supporters of the Maldives former president rioted through the streets of the capital and seized some remote police stations Wednesday to demand his reinstatement, as the country's new leader appealed for an end to the political turmoil roiling this Indian Ocean island nation.
Allies said former leader Mohamed Nasheed and other top party officials were beaten by police in the street chaos. The nation's first democratically elected president, Nasheed resigned Tuesday after police joined months of street protests against his rule and soldiers defected.
Late Wednesday evening, Nasheed supporters took control of some small police stations but larger ones stayed under official control, police spokesman Ahmed Shyam said. Residents told local reporters that as many as 10 police stations on small islands may have been seized. The Maldives is made up of nearly 1,200 scattered islands, some of which have just a few hundred residents.
Police said they detained 49 people after the riot.
Nasheed said Wednesday he was forced to resign at gunpoint and he promised to fight to return to office.
"We will come to power again," Nasheed said. "We will never step back. I will not accept this coup and will bring justice to the Maldivians."
Nasheed's party insisted his ouster was engineered by rogue elements of the police and supporters of the country's former autocratic leader, whom Nasheed defeated in the Maldives' first multiparty elections in 2008. Others blamed Islamic extremists in the Muslim country where some have demanded more conservative government policies.
New President Mohammed Waheed Hassan denied claims there was a coup or a plot to oust Nasheed. The former vice president, he said he had not prepared to take over the country and called for a unity coalition to be formed to help it recover.
"Together, I am confident, we'll be able to build a stable and democratic country," he said, adding that his government intended to respect the rule of law.
Later in the day, he appeared to be consolidating his power by appointing a new military chief and police commissioner. He later swore in defense and home ministers, the first members of his new Cabinet.
Nasheed insisted he was pushed from power by the armed forces.
"I was forced to resign with guns all around me. They told me, if I don't resign, they won't hesitate to use arms," he said.
The military denied that it forced Nasheed to resign at gunpoint. "There is no officer in the military that would point a gun towards the president," said Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Didi.
"The military did not call for his resignation, he resigned voluntarily," Didi said, adding that the military is trying to bring peace to troubled areas quickly.
Police official Abdul Mannan Yousuf promised investigations into complaints of excessive use of force by police.
Speaking to about 2,000 wildly cheering members of his Maldivian Democratic Party in the capital, Male, Nasheed called for Hassan's immediate resignation and demanded the nation's top judge investigate those he said were responsible for his ouster.
Nasheed then led an anti-government demonstration. Police responded by firing tear gas.
"If the police are going to confront us we are going to face them," Nasheed told the rally. "We have to overcome our fear and we have to get strength."
Nasheed's supporters began rioting, throwing fire bombs and vandalizing a private TV station that had been critical of Nasheed's government.
Reeko Moosa Manik, a lawmaker and chairman of the party, was beaten unconscious by police and hospitalized, said his son Mudrikath Moosa. Nasheed and other lawmakers were beaten as well, he said.
Hassan, who had promised to protect Nasheed from retribution, said his predecessor was not under any restriction and was free to leave the country. However, he said he would not interfere with any police or court action against Nasheed.
Police were investigating the discovery of at least 100 bottles of alcohol inside a truck removing garbage Tuesday from the presidential residence as Nasheed prepared to relinquish power, said Shyam, the spokesman. Consuming alcohol outside tourist resorts is a crime. If charged and convicted of possession of alcohol, Nasheed could be sent to jail for three years, banished to a distant island, placed under house arrest or fined.
Nasheed's resignation marked a stunning fall for the former human rights campaigner who had been jailed for his activism. He is also an environmental celebrity for urging global action against climate change, warning that rising sea levels would inundate his archipelago nation.
Over the past year, Nasheed was battered by protests over soaring prices and demands for more religiously conservative policies. Last month, Nasheed's government arrested the nation's top criminal court judge for freeing a government critic and refused to release him as protests grew.
Nasheed defended his government.
"I did not want wealth or to continue in the presidency, but I wanted to bring good governance," he said.
The dueling leaders ran as a ticket in the 2008 elections after Nasheed's MDP formed a coalition with Hassan's Gaumee Itthihaad Party, or National Unity Party.
In a news conference Wednesday, Hassan sought to tamp down fears that Islamists were gaining power.
"They are part of the society; you can't ignore them," he said. "But there are wide range of people with different views, philosophies and ideas about politics. I am planning to create a plural multiparty government."
He also worked to reassure the vital tourism industry that the country, known for its stunning beaches and lavish resorts, remained a peaceful place to visit.
A U.N. team is expected in the country later this week.
Source: AP
Allies said former leader Mohamed Nasheed and other top party officials were beaten by police in the street chaos. The nation's first democratically elected president, Nasheed resigned Tuesday after police joined months of street protests against his rule and soldiers defected.
Late Wednesday evening, Nasheed supporters took control of some small police stations but larger ones stayed under official control, police spokesman Ahmed Shyam said. Residents told local reporters that as many as 10 police stations on small islands may have been seized. The Maldives is made up of nearly 1,200 scattered islands, some of which have just a few hundred residents.
Police said they detained 49 people after the riot.
Nasheed said Wednesday he was forced to resign at gunpoint and he promised to fight to return to office.
"We will come to power again," Nasheed said. "We will never step back. I will not accept this coup and will bring justice to the Maldivians."
Nasheed's party insisted his ouster was engineered by rogue elements of the police and supporters of the country's former autocratic leader, whom Nasheed defeated in the Maldives' first multiparty elections in 2008. Others blamed Islamic extremists in the Muslim country where some have demanded more conservative government policies.
New President Mohammed Waheed Hassan denied claims there was a coup or a plot to oust Nasheed. The former vice president, he said he had not prepared to take over the country and called for a unity coalition to be formed to help it recover.
"Together, I am confident, we'll be able to build a stable and democratic country," he said, adding that his government intended to respect the rule of law.
Later in the day, he appeared to be consolidating his power by appointing a new military chief and police commissioner. He later swore in defense and home ministers, the first members of his new Cabinet.
Nasheed insisted he was pushed from power by the armed forces.
"I was forced to resign with guns all around me. They told me, if I don't resign, they won't hesitate to use arms," he said.
The military denied that it forced Nasheed to resign at gunpoint. "There is no officer in the military that would point a gun towards the president," said Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Didi.
"The military did not call for his resignation, he resigned voluntarily," Didi said, adding that the military is trying to bring peace to troubled areas quickly.
Police official Abdul Mannan Yousuf promised investigations into complaints of excessive use of force by police.
Speaking to about 2,000 wildly cheering members of his Maldivian Democratic Party in the capital, Male, Nasheed called for Hassan's immediate resignation and demanded the nation's top judge investigate those he said were responsible for his ouster.
Nasheed then led an anti-government demonstration. Police responded by firing tear gas.
"If the police are going to confront us we are going to face them," Nasheed told the rally. "We have to overcome our fear and we have to get strength."
Nasheed's supporters began rioting, throwing fire bombs and vandalizing a private TV station that had been critical of Nasheed's government.
Reeko Moosa Manik, a lawmaker and chairman of the party, was beaten unconscious by police and hospitalized, said his son Mudrikath Moosa. Nasheed and other lawmakers were beaten as well, he said.
Hassan, who had promised to protect Nasheed from retribution, said his predecessor was not under any restriction and was free to leave the country. However, he said he would not interfere with any police or court action against Nasheed.
Police were investigating the discovery of at least 100 bottles of alcohol inside a truck removing garbage Tuesday from the presidential residence as Nasheed prepared to relinquish power, said Shyam, the spokesman. Consuming alcohol outside tourist resorts is a crime. If charged and convicted of possession of alcohol, Nasheed could be sent to jail for three years, banished to a distant island, placed under house arrest or fined.
Nasheed's resignation marked a stunning fall for the former human rights campaigner who had been jailed for his activism. He is also an environmental celebrity for urging global action against climate change, warning that rising sea levels would inundate his archipelago nation.
Over the past year, Nasheed was battered by protests over soaring prices and demands for more religiously conservative policies. Last month, Nasheed's government arrested the nation's top criminal court judge for freeing a government critic and refused to release him as protests grew.
Nasheed defended his government.
"I did not want wealth or to continue in the presidency, but I wanted to bring good governance," he said.
The dueling leaders ran as a ticket in the 2008 elections after Nasheed's MDP formed a coalition with Hassan's Gaumee Itthihaad Party, or National Unity Party.
In a news conference Wednesday, Hassan sought to tamp down fears that Islamists were gaining power.
"They are part of the society; you can't ignore them," he said. "But there are wide range of people with different views, philosophies and ideas about politics. I am planning to create a plural multiparty government."
He also worked to reassure the vital tourism industry that the country, known for its stunning beaches and lavish resorts, remained a peaceful place to visit.
A U.N. team is expected in the country later this week.
Source: AP
Maldives president asks for unity while rioting rages on
Supporters of the Maldives former president rioted through the streets Wednesday demanding he be reinstated as the country's new leader appealed for unity to end the months of political turmoil roiling this Indian Ocean island nation.
Mohamed Nasheed, the nation's first democratically elected president, said he had been forced to resign at gunpoint Tuesday in what he termed a coup. He demanded his successor resign and he promised to fight to return to office.
"We will come to power again," Nasheed said. "We will never step back. I will not accept this coup and will bring justice to the Maldivians."
President Mohammed Waheed Hassan, the former vice president, took office Tuesday when Nasheed resigned after police joined relentless street protests against his government.
Addressing a news conference Wednesday, Hassan denied claims there was a coup or a plot to oust Nasheed. He said he had not prepared to take over the country and he called for the creation of a unity coalition to help it recover.
"Together, I am confident, we'll be able to build a stable and democratic country," he said, adding that his government intended to respect the rule of law.
Later in the day, he appeared to be consolidating his power by appointing a new military chief and police commissioner.
Nasheed insisted he was pushed from power by the armed forces.
"I was forced to resign with guns all around me. They told me, if I don't resign, they won't hesitate to use arms," he said.
Speaking to about 2,000 wildly cheering members of his Maldivian Democratic Party in the capital, Male, he called for Hassan's immediate resignation and demanded the nation's top judge investigate those he said were responsible for his ouster.
Nasheed then led an anti-government demonstration. Police responded by firing tear gas and arresting two parliamentarians from Nasheed's party.
"If the police are going to confront us we are going to face them," Nasheed told the rally. "We have to overcome our fear and we have to get strength."
Nasheed's supporters began rioting, throwing fire bombs and vandalizing a private TV station that had been critical of Nasheed's government.
Hassan, who had promised to protect Nasheed from retribution, said his predecessor was not under any restriction and was free to leave the country. However, he said he would not interfere with any police or court action against Nasheed.
Police were investigating the discovery of at least 100 bottles of alcohol inside a truck removing garbage Tuesday from the presidential residence as Nasheed prepared to relinquish power, said police spokesman Ahmed Shyam. Consuming alcohol outside tourist resorts is a crime in this Muslim nation. If charged and convicted of possession of alcohol, Nasheed could be sent to jail for three years, banished to a distant island, placed under house arrest or fined.
Amnesty International's Asia-Pacific director Sam Zarifi called on the new government not to seek retribution against Nasheed.
Nasheed presented his resignation in a nationally televised address Tuesday afternoon after police joined demonstrators who had spent weeks protesting his decision to arrest a top judge and then clashed with soldiers in the streets. Some of the soldiers then defected to the police side.
Nasheed's party insisted his ouster was engineered by rogue elements of the police and supporters of the country's former autocratic leader. Others blamed Islamic extremists.
Nasheed defended his government.
"I did not want wealth or to continue in the presidency, but I wanted to bring good governance," he said.
The dueling leaders ran as a ticket in the nation's first multiparty elections in 2008 after Nasheed's MDP formed a coalition with Hassan's Gaumee Itthihaad Party, or National Unity Party.
In a news conference Wednesday, Hassan sought to tamp down fears that Islamists were gaining power.
"They are part of the society; you can't ignore them," he said. "But there are wide range of people with different views, philosophies and ideas about politics. I am planning to create a plural multiparty government."
He also worked to reassure the vital tourism industry that the country, known for its stunning beaches and lavish resorts, remained a peaceful place to visit.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement he hoped Nasheed's resignation would lead to a peaceful resolution of the political crisis.
U.N. Assistant Secretary-General Oscar Fernandez-Taranco is scheduled to lead a U.N. team to the country later this week to help the Maldives resolve its political tensions.
Nasheed's resignation marked a stunning fall for the former human rights campaigner who defeated the nation's longtime ruler, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, in the country's first multiparty elections in 2008. Nasheed was also an environmental celebrity calling for global action to combat the climate change that could raise sea levels and inundate his archipelago nation.
Over the past year, Nasheed was battered by protests over soaring prices and demands for more religiously conservative policies.
Source: http://www.csmonitor.com
Mohamed Nasheed, the nation's first democratically elected president, said he had been forced to resign at gunpoint Tuesday in what he termed a coup. He demanded his successor resign and he promised to fight to return to office.
"We will come to power again," Nasheed said. "We will never step back. I will not accept this coup and will bring justice to the Maldivians."
President Mohammed Waheed Hassan, the former vice president, took office Tuesday when Nasheed resigned after police joined relentless street protests against his government.
Addressing a news conference Wednesday, Hassan denied claims there was a coup or a plot to oust Nasheed. He said he had not prepared to take over the country and he called for the creation of a unity coalition to help it recover.
"Together, I am confident, we'll be able to build a stable and democratic country," he said, adding that his government intended to respect the rule of law.
Later in the day, he appeared to be consolidating his power by appointing a new military chief and police commissioner.
Nasheed insisted he was pushed from power by the armed forces.
"I was forced to resign with guns all around me. They told me, if I don't resign, they won't hesitate to use arms," he said.
Speaking to about 2,000 wildly cheering members of his Maldivian Democratic Party in the capital, Male, he called for Hassan's immediate resignation and demanded the nation's top judge investigate those he said were responsible for his ouster.
Nasheed then led an anti-government demonstration. Police responded by firing tear gas and arresting two parliamentarians from Nasheed's party.
"If the police are going to confront us we are going to face them," Nasheed told the rally. "We have to overcome our fear and we have to get strength."
Nasheed's supporters began rioting, throwing fire bombs and vandalizing a private TV station that had been critical of Nasheed's government.
Hassan, who had promised to protect Nasheed from retribution, said his predecessor was not under any restriction and was free to leave the country. However, he said he would not interfere with any police or court action against Nasheed.
Police were investigating the discovery of at least 100 bottles of alcohol inside a truck removing garbage Tuesday from the presidential residence as Nasheed prepared to relinquish power, said police spokesman Ahmed Shyam. Consuming alcohol outside tourist resorts is a crime in this Muslim nation. If charged and convicted of possession of alcohol, Nasheed could be sent to jail for three years, banished to a distant island, placed under house arrest or fined.
Amnesty International's Asia-Pacific director Sam Zarifi called on the new government not to seek retribution against Nasheed.
Nasheed presented his resignation in a nationally televised address Tuesday afternoon after police joined demonstrators who had spent weeks protesting his decision to arrest a top judge and then clashed with soldiers in the streets. Some of the soldiers then defected to the police side.
Nasheed's party insisted his ouster was engineered by rogue elements of the police and supporters of the country's former autocratic leader. Others blamed Islamic extremists.
Nasheed defended his government.
"I did not want wealth or to continue in the presidency, but I wanted to bring good governance," he said.
The dueling leaders ran as a ticket in the nation's first multiparty elections in 2008 after Nasheed's MDP formed a coalition with Hassan's Gaumee Itthihaad Party, or National Unity Party.
In a news conference Wednesday, Hassan sought to tamp down fears that Islamists were gaining power.
"They are part of the society; you can't ignore them," he said. "But there are wide range of people with different views, philosophies and ideas about politics. I am planning to create a plural multiparty government."
He also worked to reassure the vital tourism industry that the country, known for its stunning beaches and lavish resorts, remained a peaceful place to visit.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement he hoped Nasheed's resignation would lead to a peaceful resolution of the political crisis.
U.N. Assistant Secretary-General Oscar Fernandez-Taranco is scheduled to lead a U.N. team to the country later this week to help the Maldives resolve its political tensions.
Nasheed's resignation marked a stunning fall for the former human rights campaigner who defeated the nation's longtime ruler, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, in the country's first multiparty elections in 2008. Nasheed was also an environmental celebrity calling for global action to combat the climate change that could raise sea levels and inundate his archipelago nation.
Over the past year, Nasheed was battered by protests over soaring prices and demands for more religiously conservative policies.
Source: http://www.csmonitor.com
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Maldives unrest: FCO warns holidaymakers as holiday hotspot is rocked by 'coup d'etat'
It is hailed as a dreamy enclave of luxury resorts and woozy, sun-kissed appeal.
But travellers planning to visit the Maldives for a spot of winter relaxation have been advised to take care, with political demonstrations causing unrest – to the extent that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has updated its advice on visits to the capital Malé.
Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/
But travellers planning to visit the Maldives for a spot of winter relaxation have been advised to take care, with political demonstrations causing unrest – to the extent that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has updated its advice on visits to the capital Malé.
Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/
Former Maldives president beaten, his party says
Police attacked the former Maldives president Wednesday, beating him up a day after he stepped down, the Maldivian Democratic Party said.
"We strongly condemned the violent attack by the Maldivian Police Service on President (Mohamed) Nasheed and senior officials of the MDP," the party said in a written statement. "President Nasheed is being beaten up as of now in an ongoing peaceful protest."
Four members of Parliament were abducted as violence gripped the nation's capital, Male, lawmaker Eva Abdulla said, and the head of the party was hospitalized in critical condition.
Police sprayed tear gas and beat demonstrators with batons, she said, and the brutal violence left some protesters bleeding in the streets.
"It's absolute lack of order at the moment," she said. "Nobody seems to be in charge."
Police could not be immediately reached for comment.
Earlier Wednesday, Nasheed had called for his successor to leave office, saying he was forced to resign in a coup.
Nasheed resigned Tuesday after a revolt by police officers. Vice President Mohammed Waheed Hassan was sworn in as president shortly after Nasheed resigned.
Nasheed was the first democratically elected president of the Indian Ocean nation in three decades.
In a nationally televised address, he said he was stepping down because he didn't feel he was able to maintain security and peace in the country, which attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year.
Strategically located in the Indian Ocean but extremely poor, the country is threatened by rising sea levels.
Nasheed once held a Cabinet meeting underwater, with ministers wearing scuba gear, to highlight the problem.
Source: http://edition.cnn.com
New Maldives president calls for calm after clash
The Maldives' new president promised to protect his predecessor from
retribution after he stepped down amid protests and clashes between the
army and police over his decision to arrest a top judge.
President Mohammed Waheed Hassan, who was sworn in Tuesday, called for chaos on the streets to stop and for citizens of this Indian Ocean island nation to work together after months of political turmoil.
"I urge everyone to make this a peaceful country," he said.
Former President Mohamed Nasheed's Maldivian Democratic Party insisted his ouster was a "coup" engineered by rogue elements of the police and supporters of the country's former autocratic leader.
However, a Nasheed adviser denied the resignation came under duress from the military. The adviser, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation, said Nasheed was left with two choices: order a bloody military crackdown on the police dissidents or resign.
Hassan's office also denied the military pressured Nasheed to quit in the wake of Tuesday's street clashes.
"It was not a coup at all. It was the wish of the people," said Ahmed Thoufeeg, Hassan's secretary.
Authorities denied Nasheed was under house arrest Wednesday, but said the police and army troops were protecting him at an undisclosed location.
"Mr. Nasheed is protected by the current government because there might be some people wanting to harm him," said police spokesman Ahmed Shyam. "He's in a safe place now, but any other action will be decided by the government."
Nasheed's resignation marked a stunning fall for the former human rights campaigner who defeated the nation's longtime ruler to become its first democratically elected president. Nasheed was also an environmental celebrity, traveling the world to persuade governments to combat the climate change that could raise sea levels and inundate his archipelago nation.
Nasheed presented his resignation in a nationally televised address after police joined the protesters and then clashed with soldiers in the streets. Some of the soldiers then defected to the police side.
"I don't want to hurt any Maldivian. I feel my staying on in power will only increase the problems, and it will hurt our citizens," Nasheed said. "So the best option available to me is to step down."
Maldivians waving flags poured into the streets to celebrate Nasheed's resignation. Some playfully threw water at each other. Soon after, the judge was released.
U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said that Hassan had informed the U.S. that the security situation in the Maldives was now under control and generally peaceful.
In a phone call with U.S. officials, Hassan expressed his strong commitment to a peaceful transition of power and the preservation of democracy. According to Nuland, the new Maldivian leader expressed his intent to form a national unity government with opposition participation in the lead-up to a presidential election scheduled for November 2013.
Hassan Saeed, a former attorney general and Nasheed ally, hoped that Nasheed's resignation ends political bickering that has become a hallmark since the country became a multiparty democracy in 2008.
"I am happy that the rule of law and justice prevailed," he said.
Amnesty International called for an investigation into the events of recent weeks and insisted that Nasheed not suffer retribution.
The latest protests in this Indian Ocean nation known for its lavish beach resorts erupted after Nasheed ordered the military to arrest Abdulla Mohamed, the chief judge of the Criminal Court. The judge had ordered the release of a government critic he said had been illegally detained.
The critic, opposition leader Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, had been arrested for allegedly defaming the government during a television interview in which he accused Nasheed's government of working against the state religion, Islam, with the support of Christians and Jews. Religious debates have gained prominence in this Sunni Muslim nation of 300,000 people where practicing any other faith is forbidden.
Hassan — then the vice president — the Supreme Court, Human Rights Commission, Judicial Services Commission and the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights had all called for the judge to be released.
Nasheed's government accused the judge of political bias and corruption, said the country's judicial system had failed and called for U.N help to solve the crisis.
The crisis came to a head Tuesday when hundreds of police demonstrated in the capital, Male, after officials ordered them to withdraw protection for government and opposition supporters protesting close to each other. The withdrawal resulted in a clash that injured at least three people.
Later, troops fired rubber bullets and clashed with the police. When Nasheed visited the police and urged them to end the protest, they refused and instead chanted for his resignation. Mohamed was released after Hassan took power.
Nasheed began his term with great hopes, ending Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's 30-year-reign by winning the country's first democratic elections in 2008. Supporters danced and cheered in the streets at the victory of the charismatic pro-democracy activist, who had been repeatedly jailed by Gayoom's regime.
But over the past year, Nasheed was battered by protests. Maldivians demonstrated against soaring prices they blamed on economic reforms he said were needed to bridge the budget deficit. Islamic activists also protested in demand of more religiously conservative policies.
As the protests grew, there were disturbing signs the one-time rights activist was changing.
Police routinely cracked down on opposition protests, while letting government supporters gather freely. For many, the judge's arrest three weeks ago was the final straw.
Source: AP
President Mohammed Waheed Hassan, who was sworn in Tuesday, called for chaos on the streets to stop and for citizens of this Indian Ocean island nation to work together after months of political turmoil.
"I urge everyone to make this a peaceful country," he said.
Former President Mohamed Nasheed's Maldivian Democratic Party insisted his ouster was a "coup" engineered by rogue elements of the police and supporters of the country's former autocratic leader.
However, a Nasheed adviser denied the resignation came under duress from the military. The adviser, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation, said Nasheed was left with two choices: order a bloody military crackdown on the police dissidents or resign.
Hassan's office also denied the military pressured Nasheed to quit in the wake of Tuesday's street clashes.
"It was not a coup at all. It was the wish of the people," said Ahmed Thoufeeg, Hassan's secretary.
Authorities denied Nasheed was under house arrest Wednesday, but said the police and army troops were protecting him at an undisclosed location.
"Mr. Nasheed is protected by the current government because there might be some people wanting to harm him," said police spokesman Ahmed Shyam. "He's in a safe place now, but any other action will be decided by the government."
Nasheed's resignation marked a stunning fall for the former human rights campaigner who defeated the nation's longtime ruler to become its first democratically elected president. Nasheed was also an environmental celebrity, traveling the world to persuade governments to combat the climate change that could raise sea levels and inundate his archipelago nation.
Nasheed presented his resignation in a nationally televised address after police joined the protesters and then clashed with soldiers in the streets. Some of the soldiers then defected to the police side.
"I don't want to hurt any Maldivian. I feel my staying on in power will only increase the problems, and it will hurt our citizens," Nasheed said. "So the best option available to me is to step down."
Maldivians waving flags poured into the streets to celebrate Nasheed's resignation. Some playfully threw water at each other. Soon after, the judge was released.
U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said that Hassan had informed the U.S. that the security situation in the Maldives was now under control and generally peaceful.
In a phone call with U.S. officials, Hassan expressed his strong commitment to a peaceful transition of power and the preservation of democracy. According to Nuland, the new Maldivian leader expressed his intent to form a national unity government with opposition participation in the lead-up to a presidential election scheduled for November 2013.
Hassan Saeed, a former attorney general and Nasheed ally, hoped that Nasheed's resignation ends political bickering that has become a hallmark since the country became a multiparty democracy in 2008.
"I am happy that the rule of law and justice prevailed," he said.
Amnesty International called for an investigation into the events of recent weeks and insisted that Nasheed not suffer retribution.
The latest protests in this Indian Ocean nation known for its lavish beach resorts erupted after Nasheed ordered the military to arrest Abdulla Mohamed, the chief judge of the Criminal Court. The judge had ordered the release of a government critic he said had been illegally detained.
The critic, opposition leader Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, had been arrested for allegedly defaming the government during a television interview in which he accused Nasheed's government of working against the state religion, Islam, with the support of Christians and Jews. Religious debates have gained prominence in this Sunni Muslim nation of 300,000 people where practicing any other faith is forbidden.
Hassan — then the vice president — the Supreme Court, Human Rights Commission, Judicial Services Commission and the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights had all called for the judge to be released.
Nasheed's government accused the judge of political bias and corruption, said the country's judicial system had failed and called for U.N help to solve the crisis.
The crisis came to a head Tuesday when hundreds of police demonstrated in the capital, Male, after officials ordered them to withdraw protection for government and opposition supporters protesting close to each other. The withdrawal resulted in a clash that injured at least three people.
Later, troops fired rubber bullets and clashed with the police. When Nasheed visited the police and urged them to end the protest, they refused and instead chanted for his resignation. Mohamed was released after Hassan took power.
Nasheed began his term with great hopes, ending Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's 30-year-reign by winning the country's first democratic elections in 2008. Supporters danced and cheered in the streets at the victory of the charismatic pro-democracy activist, who had been repeatedly jailed by Gayoom's regime.
But over the past year, Nasheed was battered by protests. Maldivians demonstrated against soaring prices they blamed on economic reforms he said were needed to bridge the budget deficit. Islamic activists also protested in demand of more religiously conservative policies.
As the protests grew, there were disturbing signs the one-time rights activist was changing.
Police routinely cracked down on opposition protests, while letting government supporters gather freely. For many, the judge's arrest three weeks ago was the final straw.
Source: AP
In the Maldives, a resignation that keeps democracy afloat
Nasheed's short tenure, when compared to the long innings of his
predecessor, will be remembered for not only heralding a democratic era
but also avoidable constitutional and political deadlocks.
Rather than allowing events to drift towards a political
or even military showdown, Maldivian President Mohammed “Anni” Nasheed
has shown great fidelity to democratic principles in a country where
none existed before him by stepping down from office with grace and
poise. The alternative to his sudden and yet unsurprising resignation —
when pushed by circumstances, often of his making or that of his aides
and followers — could have been political instability at best, and
possible street violence at worst.
Under the U.S.
executive presidency model, Nasheed has been succeeded by Vice-President
Mohammed Waheed Hassan Manik, Maldives' first PhD-holder and an
international civil servant in U.N. agencies across the world. Again, as
in the U.S. model, Dr. Manik, who was the running-mate of President
Nasheed, will complete the five-year term for which he was elected,
ensuring that there would be no instability of any kind at the top. That
democracy has taken deep-roots in the Indian Ocean archipelago was
proved even in the hours immediately following President Nasheed's
resignation, when the People's Majlis, or Parliament, met to pass the necessary resolutions to declare the succession.
Road ahead
The
speculation about the new President ordering fresh elections is thus
ill-informed. If anything, there could be fresh elections to the Majlis.
This is also unlikely. Under the prevailing circumstances, no party or
group is certain of winning an absolute majority, and therefore, will
not push for elections. Instead, as President, Dr. Waheed may consider
the feasibility of constituting a national government, where all
parties, including President Nasheed's Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)
and the two rival parties founded successively by his predecessor,
President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, have a substantial and meaningful role
and responsibility in nation-building, a task that has suffered over the
past couple of years for a variety of reasons.
Nasheed's legacy
There
are other parties and groups that are now in the Opposition but had
sided with the MDP, particularly during the second round run-off
elections to the presidency in which Nasheed was elected in October
2008. Included in the list are Islamic fundamentalist groups, who were a
part of the informal arrangement of the “December 23 Coalition,” named
after the day on which they all together staged a protest to “protect
Islam” in 2011. At the end of the day, President Nasheed's short tenure,
particularly compared to the long innings of his predecessor, will be
remembered for the institutionalisation of democracy in the country.
However, it will also be simultaneously remembered for the avoidable,
and at times acrimonious, constitutional and political deadlocks. The
Nasheed camp blamed the various crises that came in its way on the
well-entrenched administrative set-up that the young President had
inherited. The new government did not learn, or learn fast enough, to
live and work with the old guard. Instead, from day one and until the
end, the Nasheed government worked against the system. Unfortunately,
that did not yield much in terms of positive results or a positive image
for the young inheritors of troubled times.
As
President, Nasheed began well. With much help and cooperation from his
predecessor, he could ensure a smooth transition when much trouble was
feared. Likewise, at his exit, he stepped down without unease and
discomfort, rather than indulge in brinkmanship that could have put the
young democracy in difficulties. A street-fighter to the core, it
remains to be seen how he will shape up in the Opposition — before this,
when he and his yet-to-be recognised party were fighting for democracy
under President Gayoom, he had no formal role in the political system.
Declared a “prisoner of conscience” by Amnesty International, Nasheed
spent much of his political career either in Gayoom's prisons, or
overseas — he was much influenced by the British Conservatives and by
the U.S.' views on global issues. Yet, he also displayed an element of
sagacity, in accepting India as a natural ally, as in the past.
The complaints
Today,
along with President Gayoom, with whom he did not share much in common,
President Nasheed has a substantial role to play in nation-building
efforts, both learning as much from their faults as from the other
person's strengths while in office. This can be both a cementing and
calming effect on the polity and society, which has felt elated at the
birth of democracy and a change of leadership, from the old to the young
— and yet could not adjust itself to the changing realities,
particularly on the economic front, overnight. Included in the long list
of complaints against the Nasheed leadership is the steep increase in
the price of daily needs, all of which have to be necessarily imported,
the problem further accentuated by the International Monetary Fund
(IMF)-induced decision at a “managed float of the rufiyaa,” the
Maldivian currency — a devaluation in other words.
Likewise,
the IMF-directed slash on salaries and staff-strength in the government
also had critics in a country where 10 per cent of the population is
employed in the government. Yet, the March 2011 local council elections
did go the MDP way mostly, but then that alone has not been enough in
this case. From Parliament to the judiciary, and now at the level of the
police, the leadership lacked the capacity to handling crisis
situations that eventually became its undoing.
Contributory role
The
new President and his two predecessors can play a concurrent and
contributory role to make a Maldives of their collective dreams — Dr.
Waheed, heading the relatively minor Gaumee Iththihaad Party does not
have any parliamentary representation, and must depend on Gayoom and
Nasheed, as well as the Dhivehi Rayathunge Party (DRP), the parent party
of Gayoom's more recent Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), among
others, to get government business through the legislature. Dr. Waheed
can be expected to take the lead in this matter.
After President resigns in Maldives, Ban voices hope crisis will end
Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon voiced hope today that the resignation of the President of
the Maldives and the appointment of his deputy as the new leader will
help to peacefully end the ongoing political crisis in the Indian Ocean
country.
Mohamed Nasheed announced his resignation earlier today and will be
succeeded by Vice-President Mohammed Waheed Hassan. The move followed
recent street protests and mounting tensions between parts of the
Government and the military.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban expressed “his strong hope that this handover of power, which has been announced as a constitutional step to avoid further violence and instability, will lead to the peaceful resolution of the political crisis that has polarized the country in recent months.”
Mr. Ban called on all Maldivians to “refrain from violence and engage constructively” in tackling the challenges facing the country, adding that he hoped the Maldives will be able to build on “the important gains” it has recently made in establishing democracy and the rule of law.
“The Secretary-General acknowledges the important contributions of President Nasheed, the country’s first democratically-elected president, to the establishment of democracy in the Maldives and his role in raising international awareness of the dangers of climate change and rising seas.”
Later this week Assistant Secretary-General Oscar Fernandez-Taranco will lead a United Nations political mission to the Maldives to help the country deal with its recent tensions. Mr. Fernandez-Taranco is slated to meet with Government officials, opposition leaders and civil society representatives.
Source: http://www.un.org/apps/newsIn a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban expressed “his strong hope that this handover of power, which has been announced as a constitutional step to avoid further violence and instability, will lead to the peaceful resolution of the political crisis that has polarized the country in recent months.”
Mr. Ban called on all Maldivians to “refrain from violence and engage constructively” in tackling the challenges facing the country, adding that he hoped the Maldives will be able to build on “the important gains” it has recently made in establishing democracy and the rule of law.
“The Secretary-General acknowledges the important contributions of President Nasheed, the country’s first democratically-elected president, to the establishment of democracy in the Maldives and his role in raising international awareness of the dangers of climate change and rising seas.”
Later this week Assistant Secretary-General Oscar Fernandez-Taranco will lead a United Nations political mission to the Maldives to help the country deal with its recent tensions. Mr. Fernandez-Taranco is slated to meet with Government officials, opposition leaders and civil society representatives.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Maldives President Quits After Weeks of Protest
The president of the island nation of Maldives, who became the country's first democratically elected leader in three decades, resigned Tuesday following weeks of sometimes violent public protests over his controversial order to arrest a senior judge.
President Mohamed Nasheed presented his resignation in a nationally televised address Tuesday afternoon after police joined the protesters and then clashed with soldiers in the streets.
"I don't want to hurt any Maldivian. I feel my staying on in power will only increase the problems, and it will hurt our citizens," Nasheed said. "So the best option available to me is to step down."
Nasheed was expected to hand over power to Vice President Mohammed Waheed Hassan.
The resignation came after weeks of protests in this Indian Ocean nation known more for its lavish beach resorts than political turmoil.
It marked a stunning crash for Nasheed, a former human rights campaigner who defeated the nation's longtime ruler in the country's first multiparty election. Nasheed was also an environmental celebrity, traveling the world to persuade government's to combat the climate change that could send sea levels rising and inundate his archipelago nation.
Nasheed fell out of public favor after he ordered the military to arrest Abdulla Mohamed, the chief judge of the Criminal Court.
The arrest came after the judge ordered the release of a government critic, calling his arrest illegal.
The vice president, Supreme Court, Human Rights Commission, Judicial Services Commission and the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights have all called for Mohamed to be released.
The government accused the judge of political bias and corruption. It said that the country's judicial system had failed and called on the U.N to help solve the crisis.
After weeks of protests, the crisis came to a head Tuesday when hundreds of police started demonstrating in the capital, Male, after officials ordered them to withdraw protection for government and opposition supporters protesting close to each other. The withdrawal resulted in a clash that injured at least three people.
Later, troops fired rubber bullets and clashed with the police. When Nasheed visited the police and urged them to end the protest, they refused and instead chanted for his resignation.
The Maldives, an archipelago nation of 300,000 people, is a fresh democracy, with 30 years of autocratic rule ending when Nasheed was elected in 2008. Nasheed is a former pro-democracy political prisoner.
Hassan, the vice president, has previously worked for the United Nations, including as the head of its children's fund in Afghanistan.
Source: http://abcnews.go.com
President Mohamed Nasheed presented his resignation in a nationally televised address Tuesday afternoon after police joined the protesters and then clashed with soldiers in the streets.
"I don't want to hurt any Maldivian. I feel my staying on in power will only increase the problems, and it will hurt our citizens," Nasheed said. "So the best option available to me is to step down."
Nasheed was expected to hand over power to Vice President Mohammed Waheed Hassan.
The resignation came after weeks of protests in this Indian Ocean nation known more for its lavish beach resorts than political turmoil.
It marked a stunning crash for Nasheed, a former human rights campaigner who defeated the nation's longtime ruler in the country's first multiparty election. Nasheed was also an environmental celebrity, traveling the world to persuade government's to combat the climate change that could send sea levels rising and inundate his archipelago nation.
Nasheed fell out of public favor after he ordered the military to arrest Abdulla Mohamed, the chief judge of the Criminal Court.
The arrest came after the judge ordered the release of a government critic, calling his arrest illegal.
The vice president, Supreme Court, Human Rights Commission, Judicial Services Commission and the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights have all called for Mohamed to be released.
The government accused the judge of political bias and corruption. It said that the country's judicial system had failed and called on the U.N to help solve the crisis.
After weeks of protests, the crisis came to a head Tuesday when hundreds of police started demonstrating in the capital, Male, after officials ordered them to withdraw protection for government and opposition supporters protesting close to each other. The withdrawal resulted in a clash that injured at least three people.
Later, troops fired rubber bullets and clashed with the police. When Nasheed visited the police and urged them to end the protest, they refused and instead chanted for his resignation.
The Maldives, an archipelago nation of 300,000 people, is a fresh democracy, with 30 years of autocratic rule ending when Nasheed was elected in 2008. Nasheed is a former pro-democracy political prisoner.
Hassan, the vice president, has previously worked for the United Nations, including as the head of its children's fund in Afghanistan.
Source: http://abcnews.go.com
The President of the Maldives has resigned amid unrest on the islands. Weeks of protests came to a head when mutinying police officers took over the state broadcaster. Anger flared over President Mohamed Nasheed’s controversial decision to arrest a senior judge, accused of links to his rival, the Maldives’ ex-leader. President Nasheed announced he was stepping down in a televised news conference, saying that continuing would mean having to use force against his people. He has handed power to his Vice President. The tension has been largely invisible to visitors to the paradise holiday getaway in the Indian Ocean. But rebel police defied orders to break up opposition protests today. President Nasheed, widely credited with ushering in full democracy, has been in a power struggle with ex-President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, whose decades-long rule was widely seen as autocratic.
The President of the Maldives has resigned amid unrest on the islands. Weeks of protests came to a head when mutinying police officers took over the state broadcaster.
Anger flared over President Mohamed Nasheed’s controversial decision to arrest a senior judge, accused of links to his rival, the Maldives’ ex-leader.
President Nasheed announced he was stepping down in a televised news conference, saying that continuing would mean having to use force against his people. He has handed power to his Vice President.
The tension has been largely invisible to visitors to the paradise holiday getaway in the Indian Ocean.
But rebel police defied orders to break up opposition protests today.
President Nasheed, widely credited with ushering in full democracy, has been in a power struggle with ex-President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, whose decades-long rule was widely seen as autocratic.
Source: http://www.euronews.net
Anger flared over President Mohamed Nasheed’s controversial decision to arrest a senior judge, accused of links to his rival, the Maldives’ ex-leader.
President Nasheed announced he was stepping down in a televised news conference, saying that continuing would mean having to use force against his people. He has handed power to his Vice President.
The tension has been largely invisible to visitors to the paradise holiday getaway in the Indian Ocean.
But rebel police defied orders to break up opposition protests today.
President Nasheed, widely credited with ushering in full democracy, has been in a power struggle with ex-President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, whose decades-long rule was widely seen as autocratic.
Source: http://www.euronews.net
Police 'mutiny' in the Maldives: President's office
A group of policemen in the Maldives disobeyed orders and joined anti-government protesters today in what the president's office described as a "mutiny".
Spokesman Ibrahim Zaki said President Mohamed Nasheed, who has faced demonstrations over the last three weeks, was in control of the situation.
"There was a mutiny this morning by a small group of policemen. They disobeyed orders and tried to support the demonstrators. We are in the process of arresting them," Zaki said.
"The president is in control of the situation." The opposition Dhivehi Qaumee Party leader Hassan Saeed said Nasheed "had lost control" and should step down in the face of three weeks of protests against his rule.
Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news
Spokesman Ibrahim Zaki said President Mohamed Nasheed, who has faced demonstrations over the last three weeks, was in control of the situation.
"There was a mutiny this morning by a small group of policemen. They disobeyed orders and tried to support the demonstrators. We are in the process of arresting them," Zaki said.
"The president is in control of the situation." The opposition Dhivehi Qaumee Party leader Hassan Saeed said Nasheed "had lost control" and should step down in the face of three weeks of protests against his rule.
Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news
Maldives unrest: President Nasheed resigns amid protests
Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed resigned today following weeks of
public protests over his controversial order to arrest a senior judge.
The country's Vice-President Mohammed Waheed Hassan is set to take over
in what is seen as a political settlement, reportedly negotiated by the
Army.
Sources said Mr Waheed will be sworn in this afternoon as the head of an all-party government called the National Government of Maldives. Mr Waheed emerged as a consensus candidate as protests in the country escalated, sources said. They came to a head today when hundreds of policemen started demonstrating in the capital, Male, after officials ordered them to withdraw protection for opposition supporters who were protesting. The mutinous police took over the state television broadcasting station, joining opposition protesters calling for President Mohamed Nasheed to step down.
A little later, Mr Nasheed used an address to the nation on state television to announce that he was stepping down and was immediately whisked away amid high security to the Presidential palace. He has been described as being under "military protection". Senior Army officer Brigadier Ahmed Shiyam earlier told reporters that Mr Nasheed had agreed to step down and hand over the presidency to his Vice-President. The military stepped in after the police rebelled.
The new government, sources said, can continue at least till 2013, when elections are due.
Mr Nasheed's resignation comes after days of protests in this Indian Ocean country of lavish beach resorts. He fell out of public favor after he ordered the military to arrest Abdulla Mohamed, the chief judge of the Criminal Court. The arrest came after the judge ordered the release of a government critic, calling his arrest illegal. The vice president, Supreme Court, Human Rights Commission, Judicial Services Commission and the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights have all called for Mr Mohamed to be released. The judge is still in custody.
This marks a stunning crash for Mr Nasheed, a former human rights campaigner and former political prisoner, who was elected in 2008 when the Maldives staged its first democratic presidential election, unseating the long-serving autocratic regime of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. He is also an environmental celebrity, travelling the world to persuade governments to combat the climate change that could send sea levels rising and inundate his archipelago nation.
The Maldives, a country of 1,192 Indian Ocean islands scattered across the equator, is famous for its upmarket holiday resorts and hotels that cater for honeymooning couples and high-end travellers.
Source: http://www.ndtv.com/article/world
Sources said Mr Waheed will be sworn in this afternoon as the head of an all-party government called the National Government of Maldives. Mr Waheed emerged as a consensus candidate as protests in the country escalated, sources said. They came to a head today when hundreds of policemen started demonstrating in the capital, Male, after officials ordered them to withdraw protection for opposition supporters who were protesting. The mutinous police took over the state television broadcasting station, joining opposition protesters calling for President Mohamed Nasheed to step down.
A little later, Mr Nasheed used an address to the nation on state television to announce that he was stepping down and was immediately whisked away amid high security to the Presidential palace. He has been described as being under "military protection". Senior Army officer Brigadier Ahmed Shiyam earlier told reporters that Mr Nasheed had agreed to step down and hand over the presidency to his Vice-President. The military stepped in after the police rebelled.
The new government, sources said, can continue at least till 2013, when elections are due.
Mr Nasheed's resignation comes after days of protests in this Indian Ocean country of lavish beach resorts. He fell out of public favor after he ordered the military to arrest Abdulla Mohamed, the chief judge of the Criminal Court. The arrest came after the judge ordered the release of a government critic, calling his arrest illegal. The vice president, Supreme Court, Human Rights Commission, Judicial Services Commission and the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights have all called for Mr Mohamed to be released. The judge is still in custody.
This marks a stunning crash for Mr Nasheed, a former human rights campaigner and former political prisoner, who was elected in 2008 when the Maldives staged its first democratic presidential election, unseating the long-serving autocratic regime of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. He is also an environmental celebrity, travelling the world to persuade governments to combat the climate change that could send sea levels rising and inundate his archipelago nation.
The Maldives, a country of 1,192 Indian Ocean islands scattered across the equator, is famous for its upmarket holiday resorts and hotels that cater for honeymooning couples and high-end travellers.
Source: http://www.ndtv.com/article/world
Maldives President Resigns After Coup
Maldives' President Mohamed Nasheed resigned Tuesday after what government officials described as a coup by some police officers and opposition figures linked to a former president.
"I don't want to hurt any Maldivian. I feel my staying on in power will only increase the problems, and it will hurt our citizens," Mr. Nasheed said in a televised address. "So the best option available to me is to step down."
On Tuesday morning, some 300 to 400 opposition demonstrators, including renegade police officers, took to the streets in Male, the capital of the Indian Ocean state, to call for the resignation of Mr. Nasheed, who came to power in 2008 after the country's first-ever democratic elections, the official said.
Some of those demonstrators later broke into the offices of the state television, which they continue to hold as of Tuesday afternoon, the person said. The rebels used control of the TV station to broadcast messages calling for a broader rebellion against Mr. Nasheed's government.
At first presidential aides attempted to play down the threats to Mr. Nasheed's administration and said he would stay on in power. But after some defections in the army as well as the police, Mr. Nasheed realized he had no option but to resign, said a senior official in the president's office.
"The other choice is a brutal crackdown," the official said. "We've lost control of the police…and there have been some army defections."
The official said loyal army units had fired tear-gas canisters at protesters earlier in the day but denied the use of rubber bullets.
Mr. Nasheed came to power in 2008, ending 30 years of government under former president, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. Before coming to power, Mr Nasheed was a pro-democracy activist. He spent time in jail as a political prisoner under Mr. Gayoom's administration after claiming irregularities in elections.
The protests Tuesday were led by people close to Mr. Gayoom, said the official in the president's office. Local reports said Mr. Gayoom was traveling in Malaysia. Immediate attempts to contact him were not successful.
The spark of the current troubles appears to be a recent attempt by Mr. Nasheed's administration to remove a senior judge who the government believes is an ally of Mr. Gayoom.
The government, since coming to power in 2008, has investigated Mr. Gayoom on allegations of corruption while he was in office but has not charged him. Mr. Gayoom denies wrongdoing.
Three weeks ago, Mr. Nasheed ordered the army to arrest the judge, Abdulla Mohamed. Mr. Mohamed, a senior criminal court judge, had refused to step down following a ruling of gross misconduct by a constitutional body that oversees the judiciary.
Source: http://online.wsj.com/article
"I don't want to hurt any Maldivian. I feel my staying on in power will only increase the problems, and it will hurt our citizens," Mr. Nasheed said in a televised address. "So the best option available to me is to step down."
On Tuesday morning, some 300 to 400 opposition demonstrators, including renegade police officers, took to the streets in Male, the capital of the Indian Ocean state, to call for the resignation of Mr. Nasheed, who came to power in 2008 after the country's first-ever democratic elections, the official said.
Some of those demonstrators later broke into the offices of the state television, which they continue to hold as of Tuesday afternoon, the person said. The rebels used control of the TV station to broadcast messages calling for a broader rebellion against Mr. Nasheed's government.
At first presidential aides attempted to play down the threats to Mr. Nasheed's administration and said he would stay on in power. But after some defections in the army as well as the police, Mr. Nasheed realized he had no option but to resign, said a senior official in the president's office.
"The other choice is a brutal crackdown," the official said. "We've lost control of the police…and there have been some army defections."
The official said loyal army units had fired tear-gas canisters at protesters earlier in the day but denied the use of rubber bullets.
Mr. Nasheed came to power in 2008, ending 30 years of government under former president, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. Before coming to power, Mr Nasheed was a pro-democracy activist. He spent time in jail as a political prisoner under Mr. Gayoom's administration after claiming irregularities in elections.
The protests Tuesday were led by people close to Mr. Gayoom, said the official in the president's office. Local reports said Mr. Gayoom was traveling in Malaysia. Immediate attempts to contact him were not successful.
The spark of the current troubles appears to be a recent attempt by Mr. Nasheed's administration to remove a senior judge who the government believes is an ally of Mr. Gayoom.
The government, since coming to power in 2008, has investigated Mr. Gayoom on allegations of corruption while he was in office but has not charged him. Mr. Gayoom denies wrongdoing.
Three weeks ago, Mr. Nasheed ordered the army to arrest the judge, Abdulla Mohamed. Mr. Mohamed, a senior criminal court judge, had refused to step down following a ruling of gross misconduct by a constitutional body that oversees the judiciary.
Source: http://online.wsj.com/article
Maldives president resigns after police mutiny
President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives resigned on Tuesday after weeks of protests erupted into a police mutiny, leaving the man widely credited with bringing democracy to the paradise islands accused of being as dictatorial as his predecessor.
Nasheed handed power over the Indian Ocean archipelago to Vice-President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik, saying continuing in power would result in his having to use force against his people.
"I resign because I am not a person who wishes to rule with the use of power," he said in a televised address. "I believe that if the government were to remain in power it would require the use of force which would harm many citizens."
In the morning, soldiers fired tear gas at police and demonstrators who besieged the Maldives National Defence Force headquarters in Republic Square.
Later in the day, scores of demonstrators stood outside the nearby president's office chanting "Gayoom! Gayoom!", referring to his predecessor, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.
Nasheed swept to victory in 2008, pledging to bring full democracy to the luxury holiday resort nation, but drew opposition fire for his arrest of a judge he accused of being in the pocket of Gayoom, who ruled for 30 years.
Protests at the arrest set off a constitutional crisis that had Nasheed in the unaccustomed position of defending himself against accusations of acting like a dictator.
Overnight, vandals attacked the lobby of the opposition-linked VTV TV station, witnesses said, while mutinying police attacked and burnt the main rallying point of Nasheed's Maldives Democratic Party before later taking over the state broadcaster MNBC and renaming it TV Maldives.
SCRAMBLE FOR POSITION
Gayoom's opposition Progressive Party of the Maldives accused the military of firing rubber bullets at protesters and a party spokesman, Mohamed Hussain "Mundhu" Shareef, said "loads of people" were injured. He gave no specifics.
An official close to the president denied the government had used rubber bullets, but confirmed that about three dozen police officers defied orders overnight and smashed up the main rallying point of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party.
"This follows Gayoom's party calling for the overthrow of the Maldives' first democratically elected government and for citizens to launch jihad against the president," said the official who declined to be identified.
The protests, and the scramble for position ahead of next year's presidential election, have seen parties adopting hardline Islamist rhetoric and accusing Nasheed of being anti-Islamic.
The trouble has also shown the longstanding rivalry between Gayoom and Nasheed, who was jailed for a combined six years after being arrested 27 times by Gayoom's government while agitating for democracy.
The trouble has been largely invisible to the 900,000 or so well-heeled tourists who come every year to visit desert islands swathed in aquamarine seas, ringed by white-sand beaches.
Most tourists are whisked straight to their island hideaway by seaplane or speedboat, where they are free to drink alcohol and get luxurious spa treatments, insulated from the everyday Maldives, a fully Islamic state where alcohol is outlawed and skimpy beachwear frowned upon.
Twitter user Alexander Brown said he was in the Maldives enjoying life.
"Maldives government overthrowing (sic) and im watching a Vogue photo shoot infront of me on Four Seasons ... very strange world".
Source: http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews
Nasheed handed power over the Indian Ocean archipelago to Vice-President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik, saying continuing in power would result in his having to use force against his people.
"I resign because I am not a person who wishes to rule with the use of power," he said in a televised address. "I believe that if the government were to remain in power it would require the use of force which would harm many citizens."
In the morning, soldiers fired tear gas at police and demonstrators who besieged the Maldives National Defence Force headquarters in Republic Square.
Later in the day, scores of demonstrators stood outside the nearby president's office chanting "Gayoom! Gayoom!", referring to his predecessor, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.
Nasheed swept to victory in 2008, pledging to bring full democracy to the luxury holiday resort nation, but drew opposition fire for his arrest of a judge he accused of being in the pocket of Gayoom, who ruled for 30 years.
Protests at the arrest set off a constitutional crisis that had Nasheed in the unaccustomed position of defending himself against accusations of acting like a dictator.
Overnight, vandals attacked the lobby of the opposition-linked VTV TV station, witnesses said, while mutinying police attacked and burnt the main rallying point of Nasheed's Maldives Democratic Party before later taking over the state broadcaster MNBC and renaming it TV Maldives.
SCRAMBLE FOR POSITION
Gayoom's opposition Progressive Party of the Maldives accused the military of firing rubber bullets at protesters and a party spokesman, Mohamed Hussain "Mundhu" Shareef, said "loads of people" were injured. He gave no specifics.
An official close to the president denied the government had used rubber bullets, but confirmed that about three dozen police officers defied orders overnight and smashed up the main rallying point of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party.
"This follows Gayoom's party calling for the overthrow of the Maldives' first democratically elected government and for citizens to launch jihad against the president," said the official who declined to be identified.
The protests, and the scramble for position ahead of next year's presidential election, have seen parties adopting hardline Islamist rhetoric and accusing Nasheed of being anti-Islamic.
The trouble has also shown the longstanding rivalry between Gayoom and Nasheed, who was jailed for a combined six years after being arrested 27 times by Gayoom's government while agitating for democracy.
The trouble has been largely invisible to the 900,000 or so well-heeled tourists who come every year to visit desert islands swathed in aquamarine seas, ringed by white-sand beaches.
Most tourists are whisked straight to their island hideaway by seaplane or speedboat, where they are free to drink alcohol and get luxurious spa treatments, insulated from the everyday Maldives, a fully Islamic state where alcohol is outlawed and skimpy beachwear frowned upon.
Twitter user Alexander Brown said he was in the Maldives enjoying life.
"Maldives government overthrowing (sic) and im watching a Vogue photo shoot infront of me on Four Seasons ... very strange world".
Source: http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews
Maldives President Resigns Following Police Mutiny, Protests
Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed has resigned following weeks of
opposition protests over his controversial decision to arrest a senior
judge.
Mr. Nasheed's resignation Tuesday came after mutinous police took over state television headquarters in the capital, Male, and broadcasted calls for him to step down. Earlier, a group of police had joined an opposition protest and attacked a nearby demonstration led by members of the ruling party, prompting soldiers to use tear gas.
Mr. Nasheed said his resignation was in the best interest of the country, and that he had no desire to use force to maintain his rule. He is expected to hand power over to Vice President Mohammed Waheed Hassan.
The government had faced three weeks of mounting protests after Mr. Nasheed ordered the arrest of a senior judge on charges of misconduct and favoring opposition figures.
The vice president, the Supreme Court and the United Nations Human Rights Commission have all called for the judge to be released. A U.N. delegation had been set to arrive in the country on Thursday to broker a solution to the crisis.
Mr. Nasheed became the Maldives' first democratically elected president in 2008, replacing Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who held office for 30 years under a one-party system.
The Republic of Maldives is a Muslim-majority nation made up of about 1,200 islands scattered in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka. It is famous for its beach resorts and hotels that cater to honeymooning couples and high-end travellers.
Source: http://blogs.voanews.com/breaking-newsMr. Nasheed's resignation Tuesday came after mutinous police took over state television headquarters in the capital, Male, and broadcasted calls for him to step down. Earlier, a group of police had joined an opposition protest and attacked a nearby demonstration led by members of the ruling party, prompting soldiers to use tear gas.
Mr. Nasheed said his resignation was in the best interest of the country, and that he had no desire to use force to maintain his rule. He is expected to hand power over to Vice President Mohammed Waheed Hassan.
The government had faced three weeks of mounting protests after Mr. Nasheed ordered the arrest of a senior judge on charges of misconduct and favoring opposition figures.
The vice president, the Supreme Court and the United Nations Human Rights Commission have all called for the judge to be released. A U.N. delegation had been set to arrive in the country on Thursday to broker a solution to the crisis.
Mr. Nasheed became the Maldives' first democratically elected president in 2008, replacing Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who held office for 30 years under a one-party system.
The Republic of Maldives is a Muslim-majority nation made up of about 1,200 islands scattered in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka. It is famous for its beach resorts and hotels that cater to honeymooning couples and high-end travellers.
Maldives president quits amid protest
Nasheed presented his resignation in a
nationally televised address Tuesday afternoon after police joined the
protesters and then clashed with soldiers in the streets.
"I
don't want to hurt any Maldivian. I feel my staying on in power will
only increase the problems, and it will hurt our citizens," Nasheed
said. "So the best option available to me is to step down."
Nasheed was expected to hand over power to Vice President Mohammed Waheed Hassan.
The resignation came after weeks of protests in this Indian Ocean island nation known more for its lavish beach resorts than political turmoil.
It
marked a stunning crash for Nasheed, a former human rights campaigner
who defeated the nation's longtime ruler in the country's first
multiparty election. Nasheed was also an environmental celebrity,
traveling the world to persuade government's to combat the climate
change that could send sea levels rising and inundate his archipelago
nation.
Nasheed fell out of public favor after he ordered the military to arrest Abdulla Mohamed, the chief judge of the Criminal Court.
The arrest came after the judge ordered the release of a government critic, calling his arrest illegal.
The vice president, Supreme Court, Human Rights Commission, Judicial Services Commission and the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights have all called for Mohamed to be released.
The
government accused the judge of political bias and corruption. It said
that the country's judicial system had failed and called on the U.N to
help solve the crisis.
After weeks of
protests, the crisis came to a head Tuesday when hundreds of police
started demonstrating in the capital, Male, after officials ordered them
to withdraw protection for government and opposition supporters
protesting close to each other. The withdrawal resulted in a clash that
injured at least three people.
Later, troops
fired rubber bullets and clashed with the police. When Nasheed visited
the police and urged them to end the protest, they refused and instead
chanted for his resignation.
The Maldives, an
archipelago nation of 300,000 people, is a fresh democracy, with 30
years of autocratic rule ending when Nasheed was elected in 2008.
Nasheed is a former pro-democracy political prisoner.
Hassan,
the vice president, has previously worked for the United Nations,
including as the head of its children's fund in Afghanistan.
Maldives President resigns amid protests
President of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed, who became the country’s first
democratically elected leader in three decades, resigned on Tuesday
following weeks of sometimes violent public protests over his
controversial order to arrest a senior judge.
President Nasheed presented his resignation in a nationally televised
address on Tuesday afternoon after police joined the protesters and then
clashed with soldiers in the streets. Mr. Nasheed was expected to hand
over power to Vice-President Mohammed Waheed Hassan.
“I don’t want to hurt any Maldivian. I feel my staying on in power will
only increase the problems, and it will hurt our citizens,” Mr. Nasheed
said. “So the best option available to me is to step down.” he added.
The resignation marks a stunning reversal for Mr. Nasheed, a former
human rights campaigner who defeated the nation’s longtime ruler Maumoon
Abdul Gayoom in 2008 in the country’s first multiparty elections. Mr.
Nasheed is also an environmental celebrity, travelling the world to
persuade governments to combat climate change that could send sea levels
rising and inundate his archipelago nation.
Mr. Nasheed fell out of public favour after he ordered the military to
arrest Mr Abdulla Mohamed, the chief judge of the Criminal Court. The
arrest came after the judge ordered the release of a government critic,
calling latter's arrest illegal.
The Vice-President, Supreme Court, Human Rights Commission, Judicial
Services Commission and the office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights have all called for Mr Mohamed to be
released.
The government accused the judge of political bias and corruption. It
said that the country’s judicial system had failed and called on the
U.N. to help solve the crisis.
After weeks of protests, the crisis came to a head on Tuesday when
hundreds of police started demonstrating in the capital, Male, after
officials ordered them to withdraw protection for government and
opposition supporters protesting close to each other. The withdrawal
resulted in a clash that injured at least three people.
Later, troops fired rubber bullets and clashed with the police. When Mr.
Nasheed visited the police and urged them to end the protest, they
refused and instead chanted for his resignation.
The Maldives, an archipelago nation of 300,000 people, is a nascent
democracy, with 30 years of autocratic rule ending when Mr. Nasheed was
elected in 2008. Mr. Nasheed is a former pro-democracy political
prisoner.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Nasheed co-opts Supreme Court in his fight against radicals
In a clever move aimed at forcing the Maldivian Supreme Court to decide
if spas in the up-scale resorts went against Islamic principles, the
government on Wednesday lifted the nationwide ban on spas and massage
parlours, revoking a circular sent by the Tourism Ministry last week
which ordered spas to cease operations.
The President Mohamed Nasheed chose the country’s first resort Kurumba
Maldives resort, which began operations in 1972, to make the
announcement: He said that the government has requested the Supreme
Court to advise whether spas are legal under the Maldives constitution.
In effect, the President has made a strategic retreat from his earlier
position and lifted the ban on spas. Earlier, the government imposed the
ban after an opposition rally in Male’ on December 23, claiming to
"defend Islam," ridiculed the government for being soft on issues banned
by the religion. Some speakers wanted an ‘Islamic state’ and that the
State to be guided by Sharia laws.
Spas, for instance, a few speakers claimed, were cover for prostitution.
The government chose to selectively act on this demand, and ordered the
country’s spas closed. It made sense for the government since leaders
of some of the opposition parties owned resorts.
The government claimed that soon after the ban the resort owners
“quickly changed their positions and stated they do not support a ban on
spas nor wish to damage the tourism industry.”
The President reasserted his view that the vast majority of Maldivians
reject religious extremism and want to continue the moderate form of
Islam the Maldives has followed for the past 800 years. “We wanted to
impress upon everyone where the opposition’s demands were ultimately
going to end,” the President explained on Wednesday, according to a
release.
The President said the government’s ultimatum “woke the nation from its
slumber and sparked a healthy national debate about the future direction
of the country.”
“The extremist demonstration on 23 December attracted a sizeable crowd.
But their radical demands awoke the silent majority who categorically
reject extremism,” the President said.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
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A full day service by the pool or the beach includes the services of a professional Sun Spa Esthederm therapist who will start by preparing the skin for the sun and then apply and reapply sun cream every hour or two and after swimming according to the guest's skin type and programme. At the end of the day, guests will enjoy an after sun treatment to sooth their skin and prolong their tan. For example, the Adaptasun Normal Skin programme is designed for normal skin that rarely burns. Those who wish to tan quickly and safely in the most extreme sun conditions will get a more natural and deeper tan that will last longer. Full day body treatments start at USD200*
Surrounded by crystal blue ocean, this superb all-villa resort offers the ultimate holiday experience to those seeking the pinnacle of tropical luxury. Set amid six kilometers of white sand coves and turquoise bays, One&Only Reethi Rah is located on one of the largest islands in North Male' Atoll: nowhere else in the Maldives is there a resort with this much space and exclusivity. Sleek and spectacular, Reethi Rah offers intimate accommodation in the world’s largest luxury resort villas, including luxurious beach and water villas, all with spectacular ocean views.
Inspiring extraordinary journeys for the soul, The One&Only ESPA spa is set in beautiful gardens, offering healing therapies in eight luxurious treatment villas, with swirling vitality pools, crystal steam rooms, saunas and ice fountains. Foodies can enjoy a choice of cuisine from three restaurants or in the privacy of their own villa and the Rah Bar is ideal for after-dinner cocktails.
Source:
The Maldives are Buying Land in Australia as Preparation for Mass Migration
The Maldives Archipelago is one of the most idyllic destinations on
the planet; beautiful tropical islands in the Indian Ocean surrounded by
coral reefs abundant with sea life. It is also one of the lowest
nations on the planet. About 80% of the 1,200 islands are less than
three feet above sea level, so if sea levels rise by 23 inches over the
next century, as predicted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change, the Maldives will disappear beneath the waves. 14 islands have
already been abandoned, and the Maldivian population will eventually
have to evacuate their country, becoming the first refugee victims of
global warming.
Unfortunately, on their own the Maldives can do nothing to combat climate change and prevent rises in sea level, and as a result they must face the reality that they will lose their land. The Maldivian President, Mohamed Nasheed, says that his people obviously want to remain on the islands, but “moving was an eventuality his government had to plan for.” In the Search for a new home for his countries 350,000 citizens he looked at India and Sri Lanka (due to cultural similarities) but has eventually settled on Australia. Nasheed set up a sovereign savings account, funded by revenue from tourism, with which he has been buying land on high ground because “he did not want his people living in tents for years, or decades, as refugees.”
The island nations of Tuvalu and Kiribati are also facing similar problems and have approached the Australian government to discuss the possibility of immigration assistance, hoping that they could move their entire nations to Australia, but thanks to their president the Maldives are one step ahead in as much as they will already own their own land and will therefore not require the bureaucratic generosity of other nations.
Source: By. James Burgess of Oilprice.com
Unfortunately, on their own the Maldives can do nothing to combat climate change and prevent rises in sea level, and as a result they must face the reality that they will lose their land. The Maldivian President, Mohamed Nasheed, says that his people obviously want to remain on the islands, but “moving was an eventuality his government had to plan for.” In the Search for a new home for his countries 350,000 citizens he looked at India and Sri Lanka (due to cultural similarities) but has eventually settled on Australia. Nasheed set up a sovereign savings account, funded by revenue from tourism, with which he has been buying land on high ground because “he did not want his people living in tents for years, or decades, as refugees.”
The island nations of Tuvalu and Kiribati are also facing similar problems and have approached the Australian government to discuss the possibility of immigration assistance, hoping that they could move their entire nations to Australia, but thanks to their president the Maldives are one step ahead in as much as they will already own their own land and will therefore not require the bureaucratic generosity of other nations.
Source: By. James Burgess of Oilprice.com
Maldives Islands: Meeting the Nation Builder
The FINANCIAL -- Before I fly to Male, the tiny capital of Maldives Islands, I am invited to meet with Ali Umar Manikku, the man who, over a 50 year period, took a tiny nation of islanders from total obscurity to a well-to-do country which, just a few days ago, created the record of having pulled in one million tourists for 2011.
Maldives per capita tourist influx is phenomenal. The ratio of 350,000 population to the tourist population of one million is staggering. Maldives does not necessarily cater to cheap tourism. Some resort accommodation sell at $10,000 to 15,000 a night while downward cascading prices for accommodation do not fall below $250 a night in 3-star resorts.
I meet Ali Umar Manikku in Singapore, in a quiet office at International Plaza in Anson Road. I have met him on and off for some 20 years, mainly during President Gayoom’s time. He has turned 72 now, somewhat feeble, but his memory, and his grasp of the global trends, global economy and what it means to smaller nations is formidable. What is more, he is still interested in taking Maldives Islands to a next level of growth, trying to find innovative ways of increasing its wealth generating capacity and in ensuring still better standards of living for his people. He remains a committed nationalist and a nation builder.
Maniku, serving as Vice President and as Presidential Advisor under two Presidents – Ibrahim Naseer and Gayoom – has been the chief architect of Maldives development and has played a key role in developing the capital Male which currently has some 120,000 people living there, the tourism infrastructure of resorts, Airport s, sea planes, fast boats; he developed the strategy for the Maldivian National Shipping Corporation which not only linked Maldives to the rest of world but became a key income generator for Maldives, the Maldivian National Trading Corporation as well as the fishing industry which now is one of the lifelines of Maldives. From the first day electricity dawned in Maldives or the first kilometre of road was carpeted in the capital, Manikku’s footprint is to be seen everywhere.
He gave me his book titled “ My Log Book : 1947-2008”, autographed it and said “ this was not written to say what I did, but where do we go from here”. The 50 years of enriched experience of dealing with the British over their exit from Maldives and from the Royal Airforce base in Gan Islands, of steering 30 years of President Naseer’s regime and that of President Gayoom’s tenure over 20 years focussed on developing a nation without water, without stones or any building materials, without educated people and without any real international support to a country whose water levels are constantly rising must have been a real challenge. In his book, he describes his frustration when the world’s first woman prime minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike of Sri Lanka thwarted his plans to import large quantities of dried fish from Maldives to Sri Lanka – the only lifeline his people had of making any money at that time. Maldives has come a long way from that time.
After my meeting with Manikku, I was in Maldives, talking to senior government officers including the chief of staff of the President’s Office, and the Minister of Tourism, a lady in a Muslim country with a doctorate in law from Australia and a very key portfolio in the country. I find that the present generation of Maldivians are highly intelligent, well educated, totally focussed, very nationalistic and above all, they display a passion for building their tiny nation of hundreds of inhabited and uninhabited islands into a “ Singapore on the Water”. They are all betting on developing their large number of islands into more and more affordable resorts for avid travellers seeking sun, sea and sand, building retirement homes for the wealthy and the ordinary men and women who may not be well cared for in their own countries, of information technology parks, fishing industry which can provide much of the fish to the world. Despite all the odds of not having any resource except the islands without rocks,r wood or river sand for mixing with concrete, the Maldivians, educated and disciplined are upbeat. They are planning to raise their national GDP to over $50 billion per annum within years. In simple terms, they are looking at over a $100,000 in per capita income which will be the highest in the world. Goals are being set.
Manikku served two Presidents who were deemed autocratic, although Manikku argues that without a certain level of autocracy, nothing much can be achieved in poor and emerging nations. But concedes that autocracy, like the early days of Lee Kwan Yew’s Singapore, need to be on the basis of having people’s development as utmost priority. Today, under the new government of President Nasheed, a UK-educated dissident who was in an out of jail under former President Gayoom, there is greater democracy, more freedom of expression and room for dissent and protests ranging from calls for the abolition of massage parlours in the capital to demanding work for everyone. There is also a measurable shift toward traditional Islamic practices in a country which had comparatively more liberal attitudes.
Maldives tourism has captured the world’s imagination. It is perhaps the ultimate tourist paradise and Maldives hopes of building the nation up the ladder are still based on income from tourism. Any attempt by radical thinking to snuff tourism will undoubtedly be the road back to the subsistence economy of fish and coconut as well as economic and cultural isolation in the middle of the Indian Ocean.
During the last days of my visit to Maldives, I discussed Georgia as a destination for Maldives investments. I told them that there is plenty of land, plenty of water, plenty of rocks and indeed plenty of people to work. Very few have heard of Georgia and its wonderful resources, but they are all extremely interested in checking it out. I am keen to see smaller emerging nations working powerfully together in sharing their expertise and their financial and other resources to build their economies.
Source: http://finchannel.com/Main_News/Op-Ed
Maldives per capita tourist influx is phenomenal. The ratio of 350,000 population to the tourist population of one million is staggering. Maldives does not necessarily cater to cheap tourism. Some resort accommodation sell at $10,000 to 15,000 a night while downward cascading prices for accommodation do not fall below $250 a night in 3-star resorts.
I meet Ali Umar Manikku in Singapore, in a quiet office at International Plaza in Anson Road. I have met him on and off for some 20 years, mainly during President Gayoom’s time. He has turned 72 now, somewhat feeble, but his memory, and his grasp of the global trends, global economy and what it means to smaller nations is formidable. What is more, he is still interested in taking Maldives Islands to a next level of growth, trying to find innovative ways of increasing its wealth generating capacity and in ensuring still better standards of living for his people. He remains a committed nationalist and a nation builder.
Maniku, serving as Vice President and as Presidential Advisor under two Presidents – Ibrahim Naseer and Gayoom – has been the chief architect of Maldives development and has played a key role in developing the capital Male which currently has some 120,000 people living there, the tourism infrastructure of resorts, Airport s, sea planes, fast boats; he developed the strategy for the Maldivian National Shipping Corporation which not only linked Maldives to the rest of world but became a key income generator for Maldives, the Maldivian National Trading Corporation as well as the fishing industry which now is one of the lifelines of Maldives. From the first day electricity dawned in Maldives or the first kilometre of road was carpeted in the capital, Manikku’s footprint is to be seen everywhere.
He gave me his book titled “ My Log Book : 1947-2008”, autographed it and said “ this was not written to say what I did, but where do we go from here”. The 50 years of enriched experience of dealing with the British over their exit from Maldives and from the Royal Airforce base in Gan Islands, of steering 30 years of President Naseer’s regime and that of President Gayoom’s tenure over 20 years focussed on developing a nation without water, without stones or any building materials, without educated people and without any real international support to a country whose water levels are constantly rising must have been a real challenge. In his book, he describes his frustration when the world’s first woman prime minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike of Sri Lanka thwarted his plans to import large quantities of dried fish from Maldives to Sri Lanka – the only lifeline his people had of making any money at that time. Maldives has come a long way from that time.
After my meeting with Manikku, I was in Maldives, talking to senior government officers including the chief of staff of the President’s Office, and the Minister of Tourism, a lady in a Muslim country with a doctorate in law from Australia and a very key portfolio in the country. I find that the present generation of Maldivians are highly intelligent, well educated, totally focussed, very nationalistic and above all, they display a passion for building their tiny nation of hundreds of inhabited and uninhabited islands into a “ Singapore on the Water”. They are all betting on developing their large number of islands into more and more affordable resorts for avid travellers seeking sun, sea and sand, building retirement homes for the wealthy and the ordinary men and women who may not be well cared for in their own countries, of information technology parks, fishing industry which can provide much of the fish to the world. Despite all the odds of not having any resource except the islands without rocks,r wood or river sand for mixing with concrete, the Maldivians, educated and disciplined are upbeat. They are planning to raise their national GDP to over $50 billion per annum within years. In simple terms, they are looking at over a $100,000 in per capita income which will be the highest in the world. Goals are being set.
Manikku served two Presidents who were deemed autocratic, although Manikku argues that without a certain level of autocracy, nothing much can be achieved in poor and emerging nations. But concedes that autocracy, like the early days of Lee Kwan Yew’s Singapore, need to be on the basis of having people’s development as utmost priority. Today, under the new government of President Nasheed, a UK-educated dissident who was in an out of jail under former President Gayoom, there is greater democracy, more freedom of expression and room for dissent and protests ranging from calls for the abolition of massage parlours in the capital to demanding work for everyone. There is also a measurable shift toward traditional Islamic practices in a country which had comparatively more liberal attitudes.
Maldives tourism has captured the world’s imagination. It is perhaps the ultimate tourist paradise and Maldives hopes of building the nation up the ladder are still based on income from tourism. Any attempt by radical thinking to snuff tourism will undoubtedly be the road back to the subsistence economy of fish and coconut as well as economic and cultural isolation in the middle of the Indian Ocean.
During the last days of my visit to Maldives, I discussed Georgia as a destination for Maldives investments. I told them that there is plenty of land, plenty of water, plenty of rocks and indeed plenty of people to work. Very few have heard of Georgia and its wonderful resources, but they are all extremely interested in checking it out. I am keen to see smaller emerging nations working powerfully together in sharing their expertise and their financial and other resources to build their economies.
Source: http://finchannel.com/Main_News/Op-Ed
Expect Rs 900 cr loss from Delhi Airport in CY12: GMR Infra
A newspaper report said GMR Infra will be allowed to collect airport development fee from Maldives Airport. Last month, a local court had banned the company from collecting it.
Speaking to CNBC-TV18, Sidharath Kapur, CFO-Airports at GMR Group says, "New tariff hike has not yet been finalised by the regulators. The company expects requisite approvals to come in by March."
Below is the edited transcript of Kapur's interview with CNBC-TV18's Latha Venkatesh and Reema Tendulkar. Also watch the accompanying video.
Q1: If you could confirm for us what exactly is the tariff that GMR will be getting for the Delhi airport?
A: At this stage regulator has not approved the tariff; they have put a proposed tariff into consultation. We had asked for a certain tariff increase and they have put an increase of 334% on the existing aeronautical tariffs into a consultation process. This process will run through the next three-four weeks, stakeholders will be invited for discussions and after that the regulator will take a final call on what kind of increases they want to approve.
Q2: How does this compare with what you wanted?
A: We had asked for a 770% increase in tariff. I will list out 2-3 key differences between our demand and actual tariff rates. A 774% increase in tariff looks daunting but if one keeps the background in mind. For the last ten years the aeronautical charges in India were based upon what airport authority was charging and Delhi airport continued to charge at same rates when they took over the airport. These charges have not increased in the last 10 years. If you factor in an inflationary growth the charges should be twice of what the currently prices are right now.
The infrastructure and the operating cost at Delhi airport have changed dramatically. A world class infrastructure worth USD 2.8 billion and commensurate operating cost, the total area of build-up in the T3 terminal is 7 times what it was 3 years back when the infrastructure was taken over.
Keeping all these factors in mind the growth in tariffs was bound to happen. In the current scenario, the revenues are ten years old but the development costs are most recent. So there is a complete mismatch between the revenues and the costs. The tariffs which we are currently demanding have been benchmarked against global airports and suppose to be the lowest in the world. The project cost has been benchmarked by Delhi airport through independent consultants.
Q3: If tariff hike of 334% is approved then what kind of impact do you think it would have on your own revenue stream and in terms of a timeline when do you think this proposal may come through?
A: The revenue approval to come in by March and effective 1st April is what we expect the new tariffs to kick in. In terms of impact on revenues, our current revenues are about Rs 600 crore on aeronautical tariffs so a 334% increase on aeronautical tariffs if proposed will take our aeronautical tariffs to about Rs 2,400 crore plus if you take non-aeronautical tariffs we are looking at about Rs 3,000-3,500 crore as our total revenue for this year.
Q4: At 330% increase in tariffs, when will you breakeven on Delhi airport?
A: For the last two years we have been making losses. Last year, we made loss of 450 crore, this year we expect to make a loss of about 900 crore. So our total networth of Rs 2,400 crore has been wiped off by more than 50% as of today. But with this tariff proposal which has been split into two parts; 148% increase next year and another 148% increase the year after that we would continue to make losses in 2013 and we will breakeven in the year after that.
Q5: Any indication of a compensation that you guys would be given in this period for the delay in the implementation of the tariffs in the proposal?
A: The way the Operation Management and Development Agreement (OMDA) works we have filled our tariff proposals strictly in line with the OMDA and we are eligible for a tariff increase 2009 onwards. So there was a delay in receiving the approvals which are beyond our control. At the same time there were certain areas that we have gone strictly by OMDA, may be 10% which are grey areas as per the OMDA and those grey areas are ones which have become issues of differences and opinion between the regulator and us. These 3-4 areas have caused that difference of 774% versus 334% and all those areas we have backed it by independent consultants based upon independent studies and reports.
Source: http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business
Speaking to CNBC-TV18, Sidharath Kapur, CFO-Airports at GMR Group says, "New tariff hike has not yet been finalised by the regulators. The company expects requisite approvals to come in by March."
Below is the edited transcript of Kapur's interview with CNBC-TV18's Latha Venkatesh and Reema Tendulkar. Also watch the accompanying video.
Q1: If you could confirm for us what exactly is the tariff that GMR will be getting for the Delhi airport?
A: At this stage regulator has not approved the tariff; they have put a proposed tariff into consultation. We had asked for a certain tariff increase and they have put an increase of 334% on the existing aeronautical tariffs into a consultation process. This process will run through the next three-four weeks, stakeholders will be invited for discussions and after that the regulator will take a final call on what kind of increases they want to approve.
Q2: How does this compare with what you wanted?
A: We had asked for a 770% increase in tariff. I will list out 2-3 key differences between our demand and actual tariff rates. A 774% increase in tariff looks daunting but if one keeps the background in mind. For the last ten years the aeronautical charges in India were based upon what airport authority was charging and Delhi airport continued to charge at same rates when they took over the airport. These charges have not increased in the last 10 years. If you factor in an inflationary growth the charges should be twice of what the currently prices are right now.
The infrastructure and the operating cost at Delhi airport have changed dramatically. A world class infrastructure worth USD 2.8 billion and commensurate operating cost, the total area of build-up in the T3 terminal is 7 times what it was 3 years back when the infrastructure was taken over.
Keeping all these factors in mind the growth in tariffs was bound to happen. In the current scenario, the revenues are ten years old but the development costs are most recent. So there is a complete mismatch between the revenues and the costs. The tariffs which we are currently demanding have been benchmarked against global airports and suppose to be the lowest in the world. The project cost has been benchmarked by Delhi airport through independent consultants.
Q3: If tariff hike of 334% is approved then what kind of impact do you think it would have on your own revenue stream and in terms of a timeline when do you think this proposal may come through?
A: The revenue approval to come in by March and effective 1st April is what we expect the new tariffs to kick in. In terms of impact on revenues, our current revenues are about Rs 600 crore on aeronautical tariffs so a 334% increase on aeronautical tariffs if proposed will take our aeronautical tariffs to about Rs 2,400 crore plus if you take non-aeronautical tariffs we are looking at about Rs 3,000-3,500 crore as our total revenue for this year.
Q4: At 330% increase in tariffs, when will you breakeven on Delhi airport?
A: For the last two years we have been making losses. Last year, we made loss of 450 crore, this year we expect to make a loss of about 900 crore. So our total networth of Rs 2,400 crore has been wiped off by more than 50% as of today. But with this tariff proposal which has been split into two parts; 148% increase next year and another 148% increase the year after that we would continue to make losses in 2013 and we will breakeven in the year after that.
Q5: Any indication of a compensation that you guys would be given in this period for the delay in the implementation of the tariffs in the proposal?
A: The way the Operation Management and Development Agreement (OMDA) works we have filled our tariff proposals strictly in line with the OMDA and we are eligible for a tariff increase 2009 onwards. So there was a delay in receiving the approvals which are beyond our control. At the same time there were certain areas that we have gone strictly by OMDA, may be 10% which are grey areas as per the OMDA and those grey areas are ones which have become issues of differences and opinion between the regulator and us. These 3-4 areas have caused that difference of 774% versus 334% and all those areas we have backed it by independent consultants based upon independent studies and reports.
Source: http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business
Maldives faces tides of change
MOHAMED Nasheed carries the air of a man without much time. ''How did
it go? Did we win?'' he asks an aide as he sweeps, almost at a run,
down the marbled corridors of the presidential office. Told yes, the
vote on the reappointment of his Minister of Islamic Affairs succeeded
in his country's fractious parliament, he is pleased: ''That's good, our
minister keeps his job. Now, what's next?''
The West Wing Bartlet-esque manner is no mere affection. Mohamed Nasheed is a man running out of time. As President of the Maldives, the string of paradisiacal Indian Ocean islands that could become the first nation ever lost to climate change, there are not too many minutes to waste for Nasheed.
''We've already lost it in so many senses,'' he tells The Saturday Age during a rare moment of peace in a meeting room. His country is losing three inhabited islands a year, swallowed by the ocean, he says. ''People are saying, 'we can't live there any more'. For us, it is difficult not to be worried about the climate.''
Source: http://www.smh.com.au/world
The West Wing Bartlet-esque manner is no mere affection. Mohamed Nasheed is a man running out of time. As President of the Maldives, the string of paradisiacal Indian Ocean islands that could become the first nation ever lost to climate change, there are not too many minutes to waste for Nasheed.
''We've already lost it in so many senses,'' he tells The Saturday Age during a rare moment of peace in a meeting room. His country is losing three inhabited islands a year, swallowed by the ocean, he says. ''People are saying, 'we can't live there any more'. For us, it is difficult not to be worried about the climate.''
Source: http://www.smh.com.au/world
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