Dear Editor,
I would like to refer to the article titled “Former Hill & Knowlton employee now working for government” by Laura Restrepo Ortega dated 23 March 2010.
One of the objectives of the MDP manifesto on Foreign Policy is to “Replace foreign nationals appointed to diplomatic posts in all Maldivian missions abroad by local carrier Foreign Service Officials.”
It is very ironic and inconsistent that when the foreign policy is clearly stated in black and white in the MDP manifesto, just recently their contracts have been renewed to two ex-H&K persons based in Geneva and Brussels.
Well, none should be surprised by this move by Dr Shaheed, as first of all they have been appointed by Dr Shaheed as Foreign Minister in Gayoom’s regime. Now their contracts have been renewed by Dr Shaeed as Foreign Minister in MDP’s government.
One could say only Dr Shaheed’s colour may have changed, but not his policies and his cronies.
When Dr Shaheed says that these ex-H&K persons were being paid “competitive rates, comparable to that of an ambassador”, one could question the capacity and the roles of Maldivian Ambassadors based in Geneva and Brussels paid with competitive and comparable rates as ex-H&K officials.
Moreover, employing these foreign ex-H&K persons in the Maldivian missions’ abroad one could question the sovereignty of the state, and state secrecy.
Best regards,
Ibrahim
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