US embassy cable - 04COLOMBO1012

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 COLOMBO 001012 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR SA, SA/INS; NSC FOR E. MILLARD 
 
E.O. 12958:    DECL:  06-17-14 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, PREL, MV, Maldives 
SUBJECT:  In a well-received public speech, Maldivian 
President proposes sweeping constitutional reforms 
 
Refs:  (A) Colombo-SA/INS 06-17-04 unclass email 
-      (B) Colombo 842, and previous 
 
(U) Classified by Ambassador Jeffrey J. Lunstead. 
Reasons 1.5 (b,d). 
 
1.  (C) SUMMARY:  In a June 9 landmark public speech, 
Maldivian President Gayoom recommended a series of 
constitutional reforms to be considered by a special 
parliamentary session.  Gayoom's proposals would mark a 
great step forward in building democracy in Maldives. 
They have been well-received as Maldivians feel he has 
recognized the larger public debate on increased 
political openness that has begun across the nation. 
Members for the Special Majlis have been selected, 
representing a cross section of political views, and are 
set to begin work on the proposed reforms in July.  Some 
powerful members of Gayoom's cabinet oppose the proposed 
reforms.  We believe that Gayoom's efforts to steer 
change in a positive direction are laudatory and should 
be supported by the international community.  We suggest 
a letter of encouragement and support be sent to him 
from the Secretary.  See Action Request in Para 10.  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
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Gayoom publicly outlines reforms 
-------------------------------- 
 
2.  (C) On June 9, President Abdul Maumoon Gayoom hosted 
a first-of-its-kind town hall meeting at the Islamic 
Center on Male' to outline suggested constitutional 
reforms (Ref A).  Contacts have said that close to one 
thousand people came to hear the President speak and 
even members of the Majlis (Parliament) were not able to 
find seats.  Characterized as "historic and far- 
reaching" by the government-owned press, HAVEERU, the 
reforms will be considered by the Special Majlis (see 
more below), when it convenes in July. 
 
3.  (C) Along with suggested changes to the judiciary 
and the procedure for constitutional amendments, 
highlights of Gayoom's constitutional reform proposals 
follow: 
 
Presidency: 
-- change the manner in which the president is elected 
including possible direct election 
-- set term limits for the office 
-- allow women to run for the office 
-- create a prime minister position to take over some of 
the powers of the president. 
 
Legislature: 
-- abolish the category of appointed members in the 
Majlis 
-- elect members by proportional representation. 
 
Fundamental Rights: 
-- legalize political parties 
-- give a constitutional mandate to the Human Rights 
Commission. 
 
4.  (C) During the speech, Gayoom made clear that he was 
speaking for himself only, and not on behalf of his 
Cabinet.  Minh Pham, UNDP Resident Representative for 
Maldives, told the Ambassador that one of Gayoom's 
greatest challenges to achieving his reforms would be 
opposition from his closest political colleagues, 
including the powerful Foreign Minister and Minister of 
Defense and National Security.  Pham felt, however, that 
there was growing support for the impending reforms and 
many Maldivians were reacting positively to the 
President's suggestions.  The challenge would be to keep 
the process orderly so that those opposed to change 
would not over-react.  In the worst case, Pham thought, 
the military (controlled by the National Security 
Minister) might be tempted to step in. 
 
5.  (C) Separately, in a June 10 press statement, the 
anti-Gayoom Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which is 
currently prohibited in Maldives, also welcomed the 
constitutional reforms proposed by the President. 
Mohamed Latheef, MDP co-founder, said that he was 
optimistic about Gayoom's speech and the possibility 
that the reforms would be substantive.  While MDP 
members will push for full recognition of political 
parties in Maldives, he cautioned that the government 
needed to uphold what was already mandated, claiming the 
constitution currently allowed political parties. 
 
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Additional calls for change 
--------------------------- 
 
6.  (C) The reforms that President Gayoom presented on 
June 9 are not the only changes facing the country.  The 
government-owned news website HAVEERU has reported on 
several other calls for increased governmental openness. 
(The government was stunned in September 2003 when riots 
rocked the capital, Male', in response to the abuse and 
death of a prisoner on a nearby prison island and many 
of the changes in Maldives were prompted by this event.) 
For example, the Attorney General has proposed an 
amendment to increase freedom of speech in the press, as 
well as drafted a Freedom of Information Act bill for 
the regular Majlis to consider in its next session. 
Separately, HAVEERU reported on a public debate to 
privatize some of the local Maldivian television 
channels. 
 
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Special Majlis ready to begin work 
---------------------------------- 
 
7.  (C) Preparations for the 100-member Special Majlis 
to address the issues of constitutional reform are 
proceeding.  President Gayoom called for the special 
session in February.  Forty-two members were elected on 
May 28 and 8 members were appointed by the President on 
June 11 to augment the 50 regular Majlis members. 
Gayoom swore in the new members of the Special Majlis on 
June 15, with plans for the group to begin meeting in 
mid-July.  Government interlocutors have said they 
expect the special session to last at least several 
months.  Noting that Gayoom had publicly asked all 
citizens to submit suggestions for constitutional 
changes, one GoRM official thought that the Special 
Majlis could last for close to one year, depending on 
the number of suggested reforms it received. 
 
8.  (C) In discussions about the composition of the 
Special Majlis, Minh Pham said the 100-member group was 
politically diverse with almost an equal number of 
members favoring far-reaching reform as those wishing to 
minimize it.  This diversity is in contrast to the 
makeup of the regular Majlis, which Pham characterized 
as 80 percent anti-reform.  Reinforcing Pham's analysis 
of the Special Majlis members, a June newsletter from 
the MDP also claimed victory in the Special Majlis 
elections, stating "many prominent members" of the party 
had won seats. 
 
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Comment 
------- 
 
9.  (C) After 25 years of autocratic rule, President 
Gayoom seems to be aware of, and responding to, the 
growing cadence of voices calling for more political 
openness in the island nation.  During A/S Rocca's call 
on Gayoom on May 17 (Ref B), she recognized the economic 
progress he had brought to Maldives and urged him to 
leave a legacy of political progress.  Gayoom seems to 
be doing that and to be willing to confront many of his 
own supporters while doing so.  We believe we should 
support Gayoom in these efforts.  If Gayoom succeeds, 
Maldives could serve as an example to the world of a 
truly democratic and prosperous Muslim nation.  We 
suggest a letter of encouragement and support from the 
Secretary (see suggested text below).  END COMMENT. 
 
SIPDIS 
 
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Action Request 
-------------- 
10.  (C) Suggested text of a letter from the Secretary 
to President Gayoom: 
 
Begin Text: 
Complimentary Opening. 
 
I would like to compliment you on your significant 
efforts towards strengthening democracy and human rights 
in Maldives.  I read with great interest your June 9 
public speech proposing substantial changes which would 
increase the political rights of all Maldivian citizens. 
 
We witness every day the struggle of people all over the 
world to strengthen democracy.  It is very encouraging 
that you and your fellow Maldivians are working to 
strengthen democracy in a peaceful and orderly manner. 
 
I admire your leadership and encourage you and all 
Maldivians to persevere with your reform efforts, which 
can set an example for the world. 
 
Complimentary Closing. 
End Text. 
END ACTION REQUEST. 
 
11.  (U) Minimize considered. 
 
LUNSTEAD