US embassy cable - 05COLOMBO935

UNCLAS COLOMBO 000935 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR SA/INS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OPDC, PREL, MV, Maldives 
SUBJECT: MALDIVES:  LETTER TO SECRETARY FROM FOREIGN 
MINISTER 
 
 
1.  On May 20 the Embassy received by fax a diplomatic note 
from the Government of Republic of Maldives conveying the 
text of a letter from Foreign Minister Fathulla Jameel to the 
Secretary.  The text of the note follows below: 
 
SIPDIS 
 
2.  Begin text: 
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives 
presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States 
of America for the Republic of Maldives and has the honor to 
quote below a message from Honorable Fathulla Jameel, 
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives, to 
Her Excellency Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State of the 
United States of America. 
 
Quote: 
 
Excellency, 
 
It was with deep concern that the Government of Maldives 
heard news reports last week that interrogators at Guantanamo 
Bay had desecrated the Holy Quran. 
 
However, we were pleased that the Government of the United 
States had taken a very positive stance on the matter.  Your 
own statement before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee 
on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs on 12 May 
2005, and that of State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher 
on 11 May 2005 at the daily press briefing re-affirmed the US 
Government's uncompromising belief in religious tolerance and 
its commitment to upholding the rights of individuals to 
worship freely and without harassment. 
 
We do appreciate your assurance that the matter would be 
investigated at the appropriate levels and that anyone found 
responsible for the act would be made accountable. 
 
Please accept, Excellency, the assurance of my highest 
consideration. 
 
Unquote. 
 
End text. 
LUNSTEAD