Category: News in Brief

Foreign Ministry reports leaked documents to Police

Foreign Minister, Dr Ahmed Shaheed, has filed a case at the police regarding leaked documents concerning the Guantánamo Bay detainees issue, reports Miadhu.

Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) MP Ahmed Nihan told Minivan News last week “some papers between the President’s Office and some ministries were leaked.” State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Naseem, confirmed documents between his ministry and the President’s Office had been leaked.

The documents include a copy of a letter from the Foreign Ministry to the Attorney General, seeking advice on the legalities of the transfer. A note from the US Embassy outlining the legal framework of the transfer was also included.

Dr Shaheed said the documents were forged to some extend, according to Miadhu, making the public worry about the issue.

The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has also asked the government to release accurate information on the issue.

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Ambassador of Philippines says farewell to the Maldives

Ambassador of the Philippines to the Maldives, Zenaida Tacordo Rabago, paid her farewell call to President Mohamed Nasheed today at the President’s Office.

President Nasheed thanked Tacordo Rabago for her contribution in strengthening the ties between both countries.

They discussed enhancing bilateral relations further, especially on mutually concerning issues such as climate change.

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President returns from Malaysia

Last Friday President Mohamed Nasheed returned from his official visit to Malaysia for the 6th World Islamic Economic Forum.

Before his return, the president visited the Maldives High Commission in Malaysia. He urged the staff to set an example for Maldivians living in Malaysia, and to participate in Malaysian cultural events.

President Nasheed also met with a delegation of Malay business people, where he spoke of the importance of broadening economic relations between the two countries.

He said Maldives is now open for business, and invited them to invest in the country. Senior officials from State Trading Organisation (STO) and Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) were present at the meeting.

The president also met with a group of Maldivian students in Malaysia. He advised them to pursue their higher education and asked if they were having any “difficulties that needed attention.”

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Communications officers have completed training programme

A training programme for communications officers from government offices, state-owned companies and independent institutions concluded last week.

Economic Advisor to the president, Ali Shiyam, presented the certificates to all participants after the two-day course.

He said it was important to note the role of communications officers in presenting accurate information on government policies and projects.

The programme was organised by the President’s Office, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, and the Maldives College of Higher Education.

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Next SAARC summit to be held in South Province: President

President Mohamed Nasheed said the 17th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) meeting will be held in the South Province.

The president said the summit could take place in both Addu and Fuahmulah Atolls during his weekly radio address last Friday on the Voice of Maldives.

President Nasheed acknowledged it would take a lot of work and preparation to hold the summit in Maldives, but said he was “confident a successful summit could be held in the South Province.”

The president noted this would be the first SAARC summit to be held in the southern hemisphere.

The 16th SAARC Summit was held last month in Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu.

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President Nasheed sends condolences to Indian president

President Mohamed Nasheed has sent his condolences to President of India, Pratibha Patil, after the plane crash in Mangalore Saturday morning.

The Air India flight from Dubai to Mangalore crashed early morning while trying to land.

Eight people survived the crash, but 158 did not.

President Nasheed expressed his sympathy for the families who lost loved ones in the accident.

This is the third plane crash in the region within a week, after a plane crash in Libya and another in Afghanistan.

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Fuah Mulah airport could be finished by mid-2011

Fuah Mulah airport would be operational by June 2011 if all goes to plan, reports Miadhu.

The company in charge of the airport’s development, Platinum Capital Holdings, said it has subcontracted Leem Company Pvt. Ltd. to clear the area for construction.

Once the area has been cleared, the company has said, the main contractor, Aima Construction, will begin the construction.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation said Dash-8 planes, which can accommodate 38 passenger, will be able to land in the new airport.

The journey from Fuah Mulah to Malé will be shorter and easier, as the closest airport to Fulah Mulah is Gan.

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Zakir Naik to give lecture in Colombo

Islamic speaker, Zakir Naik, will address Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo, reports Miadhu.

Organisers said they expect around 50,000 people, adding many Maldivians living in Colombo will attend.

Naik, a medical doctor trained in Mumbai, will be transported in a helicopter and his lecture will be opened by Governor of the Western Province, Alawi Wauluana.

Organisers said the Colombo lecture will run for about four hours and the Sri Lankan government is providing security in the stadium and surrounding areas.

Naik has been invited to speak in the Maldives, but his original lecture was postponed. Naik is now scheduled to appear at the end of the month.

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Kosovo thanks Maldives for recognising its independence

President Mohamed Nasheed met Kosovan President Dr Fatmir Sejdui yesterday in Kuala Lumpur, as part of his official visit to Malaysia for the 6th World Islamic Economic Forum.

Dr Sejdui thanked the government of the Maldives for being one of the first countries to recognise Kosovo’s independence.

Maldives extended full diplomatic recognition to the Republic of Kosovo in February 2009.

The country declared its independence in February 2008.

The two presidents also discussed the strengthening of bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of trade and culture.

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