US embassy cable - 05COLOMBO1469

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 001469 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/18/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, MV, Maldives 
SUBJECT: DEMOCRACY IN MALDIVES: ARE WE THERE YET? 
 
REF: A. COLOMBO 997 
     B. COLOMBO 1295 
     C. COLOMBO 1420 
     D. COLOMBO 1449 
 
Classified By: CHARGE' D'AFFAIRES JAMES F. ENTWISTLE FOR REASONS 1.4(b) 
 and (d) 
 
1. (SBU) Summary:  August 12-17 poloff visited Male' and met 
with government officials, members of the opposition party, 
and civil society groups to discuss the reform process in 
Maldives.  Most contacts said that while the Maldives has 
seen some democratic progress, much work remains to be done 
to ensure greater rights.  End summary. 
 
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DEMOCRACY (IN)ACTION 
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2. (SBU) In the wake of pro-reform demonstrations in Male' 
(Reftels C and D), many interlocutors noted that the crowds 
consisted primarily of curious on-lookers, not 
politically-minded protesters.  (Note: We have had no reports 
of demonstrations or violence in Male' after August 14. 
Sources in Male' tell us the streets have remained calm.  End 
note.)  Numerous people told poloff that most Maldivians lack 
general political awareness.  The Minister of Education 
pointed out that history, government, and civics are not/not 
offered as classes at secondary schools.  In addition, 
cabinet ministers, members of the Human Rights Commission, 
and civil society representatives all told poloff that 
multi-party democracy remains an alien concept for 
Maldivians. 
 
3. (U) Nevertheless, four political parties have been 
registered since June (Reftel A).  In chronological order of 
official recognition, they are: the opposition Maldives 
Democratic Party (MDP), the government's DRP (the local 
language name roughly translates as 'Maldivian People's 
Party'), the Islamic Democratic Party (IDP), and the Adalath, 
or Justice Party.  Despite the existence of four parties, all 
interlocutors spoke only in terms of "the government" and 
"the opposition." 
 
4. (C) Poloff spoke to several Maldivians who disagreed with 
current government policies but were unwilling to commit to 
any party.  A proprietor of a small business criticized both 
the government and the MDP, saying each side had a personal 
agenda that might not support the interests of average 
Maldivians.  However, he did say, "Last year I wasn't even 
allowed to say as much as (the first syllable in the 
President's name), and now I can say 'I don't like President 
Maumoon Abdul Gayoom,' and that's the result of somebody's 
sacrifice, and I appreciate that."  An employee at the Human 
Rights Commission also said she was not affiliated with any 
party, but added, "It's a united front against the current 
government." 
 
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REFORMERS: MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE 
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5. (SBU) In addition to the recognition of political parties, 
the July 14 Cabinet re-shuffle has been one sign of 
democratic progress (Reftel B).  On August 18 President 
Gayoom appointed Gasim Ibrahim, a wealthy businessman who had 
been among the detainees kept in solitary confinement after 
the previous year's demonstrations, as Finance Minister. 
(Note:  The MDP had considered Gasim one of their own, but 
the resort owner had been keeping a low profile politically 
since his release from detention late last year.  End note.) 
The majority of the new cabinet ministers are young 
technocrats with broad experience with issues in their 
portfolios.  The Minister of Education spent almost twenty 
years as a curriculum developer and teacher trainer, the 
Minister of Gender and Family worked at UNICEF for six years, 
and the Minister of Justice is a newly minted lawyer educated 
in England.  In meetings with poloff, these Ministers 
discussed unique challenges within their fields and their 
intent to work with other Ministries and government actors to 
press for necessary changes.  For example, the Gender and 
Family Minister seeks to found community centers for 
children, the Education Minister discussed having 
Parent-Teacher Associations provide an adult to accompany 
children from their community to schools far from their local 
islands, and the Justice Minister said he will urge the 
President to appoint more female judges. 
 
6. (SBU) Some MDP members in Male', however, contended that 
the changes to the cabinet were merely cosmetic.  They 
conceded that there are some sincere efforts at reform on the 
part of a few government officials, but expressed great 
frustration that more has not been done.  As one speaker put 
it, "It's always a small step forward and then a big step 
backward."  MDP members were gravely concerned about alleged 
arbitrary arrests and physical abuse by police and National 
Security Service forces during the August 12-14 
demonstrations (Reftels C and D) as well as the lack of press 
freedom in Maldives.  They cited numerous grievances with the 
current regime, but when poloff asked them to outline their 
alternate political vision, they were unable to provide 
specifics.  Instead, they reiterated general platitudes about 
the need for greater freedom and respect for human rights. 
7. (SBU) Members of the MDP were not alone in their call for 
continued reform.  In fact, even members of the government's 
DRP supported that view.  One DRP speaker told poloff that 
the birth of the party system has given people a greater 
voice in government.  He explained that he was drawn to the 
DRP because he wants to institute change from within the 
system.  He cited examples of cabinet changes and tax reforms 
as evidence that progressives have the President's attention, 
and he said he wanted to use that position to press for 
greater freedom. 
 
8. (C) Another DRP member addressed MDP complaints of unfair 
arrests: "I am 34 years old, I have a wife and kid, I've 
lived on Male' for 27 years, and I've never been arrested." 
Yet he went on to add that of his six brothers, two are in 
jail after the August 12-14 demonstrations.  In a separate 
meeting, the Minister of Gender and Family said that there 
are political divisions within families and among close 
friends, and in the small Maldivian community, many are 
deeply saddened by the strife surrounding the reform process. 
 Yet she ended on a hopeful note: "As a minister, I see in my 
colleagues a willingness to reform and change." 
 
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COMMENT 
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9. (C) Government officials and MDP members alike claimed 
that most Maldivians are comparatively ignorant about 
politics.  Nevertheless, poloff met a number of individuals 
unaffiliated with any party, all of whom seemed very 
politically engaged.  One waiter spoke eloquently about the 
lack of labor laws and the slow constitutional reform process 
as compared to the quick progress in Iraq.  It seems that the 
reason many people have yet to join a political party is not 
a lack of political awareness, but rather the fact that no 
party has outlined a clear platform or philosophy of 
governance.  Regardless of political affiliation, however, 
Maldivians seem united in their desire to see greater freedom 
and democratic reforms.  Many of them, including government 
officials, are seeking guidance on how best to move forward. 
The Defense Minister made a candid, self-deprecating comment, 
perhaps summarizing the view of many Maldivians: "What do I 
know about democratization?  I've been here all my life." 
The U.S. should assist Maldivians by supporting the progress 
they have made so far and by encouraging further peaceful 
reforms. 
 
 
ENTWISTLE