US embassy cable - 04COLOMBO1568

C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 001568 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
 
STATE FOR SA/INS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/20/2014 
TAGS: OVIP, PREL, MV, Maldives 
SUBJECT: MALDIVIAN FOREIGN MINISTER REQUESTS MEETING WITH 
SECRETARY 
 
 
SIPDIS 
 
REF: A. COLOMBO 1516 
     B. COLOMBO 1549 
     C. STATE 191997 
 
Classified By: AMBASSADOR JEFFREY J. LUNSTEAD.  REASON:  1.4 (B,D). 
 
1.  (U)  On September 20 the Embassy received a diplomatic 
note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government 
of the Republic of Maldives (GORM) advising that Foreign 
Minister Fathulla Jameel requests a meeting with the 
Secretary on October 1 "on matters of mutual interest."  The 
 
SIPDIS 
Foreign Minister will be in Washington to attend IMF and 
World Bank Board meetings on October 2-3. 
 
2.  (C/NF)  The Secretary met Foreign Minister Jameel in 
Male' during a brief stop on July 1 during which time Jameel 
asked to see the Secretary in Washington.  (Jameel repeated 
this request in a brief September 20 meeting with DCM.)  The 
Deputy Secretary met Maldivian PermRep Ambassador Mohamad 
Latheef in Washington on September 1 (Ref C).  We recommend 
that Assistant Secretary for South Asian Affairs Christina 
Rocca and/or Deputy Assistant Secretary for South Asian 
Affairs Donald Camp meet the Foreign Minister, if possible. 
The Foreign Minister has a reputation as a hardliner and is 
widely believed to have played a leading role in the GORM's 
harsh reaction to demonstrations on August 12 and 13 and the 
continued detention of pro-reform activists, including at 
least 12 Members of the Special Majlis.  A September 16 
resolution by the European Parliament condemning the State of 
Emergency and the detentions (Ref B) has the GORM in full 
defensive mode.  We expect Jameel, who angrily rebuffed a 
demarche from a visiting delegation of EU Chiefs of Mission 
on September 6 (Ref A), will offer up the much-repeated 
official explanation that  continuation of the detentions and 
State of Emergency is necessary to investigate purported 
links between the reformists and anti-American 
fundamentalists.   A meeting with SA A/S Rocca and/or DAS 
Camp would provide an important opportunity to re-emphasize 
U.S. interest in progress toward democratic reform in 
Maldives, as well as the welfare of the detainees.  Suggested 
talking points follow below.  In addition, we should brief 
Jameel on whatever the status at that time is of Guantanamo 
detainee Fowzy. 
 
3.  (C) Suggested Talking Points: 
 
--The U.S. remains concerned that the events of August 12-13 
appear to have derailed the promising start toward greater 
democratic reform indicated in President Gayoom's speech of 
June 9. 
 
--What plans does GORM have to get this process back on 
track?  When will the Special Majlis meet again?  Do you plan 
to lift the State of Emergency? 
 
--We are concerned that over 70 people remain jailed without 
charge.  Ensuring due process is crucial to respect for human 
rights.  We urge the GORM to provide all detainees with 
access to legal counsel.  If the GORM has evidence that the 
detainees have committed criminal acts, we urge that charges 
be brought and the legal process begun as soon as possible. 
 
--We understand your government has decided to sign a 
Memorandum of Agreement with the ICRC allowing confidential 
visits to detainees.  We commend this decision and urge its 
expeditious conclusion. 
 
End suggested talking points. 
LUNSTEAD