The US delegation who visited the Maldives last week gave no “definitive answer” to political issues raised by former President Mohamed Nasheed, the party has said.
The delegation, consisting of Deputy Assistant Secretary of State James Moore, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Vikram Singh and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Jane Zimmerman, met with the former president on Thursday (January 31).
According to local media, Nasheed informed the delegates that the present government had failed to act upon the recommendations made in the Commission of National Inquiry (CoNI) report, claiming there had been a “lack of effort” to reform the judiciary.
However, MDP Spokesman Hamid Abdul Ghafoor said the US delegation were unable to answer the issues raised by Nasheed, and that their interest was focused on the implementation of free and fair elections later this year.
“The issue was a difficult question for them and we could not get a straight answer. Their purpose was to highlight the importance of implementing free and fair elections over here, but we wanted to find out how aligned they were with other issues,” Ghafoor added.
According to local media, the US delegation was set to meet various political parties and senior government officials to discuss the current political situation in the Maldives.
Issues including labour laws and the protection of worker’s rights were also a topic of discussion between Nasheed and the delegates, local media reported.
James R Moore is a Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs since September 2010, and previously the Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy in Colombo from 2006 to 2009.
Jane B Zimmerman is a Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, responsible for South and Central Asia, the Western Hemisphere, and International Religious Freedom.
Vikram J Singh is Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for South and Southeast Asia within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defence for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs.
Singh also serves as the principal adviser to senior leadership within the Department of Defence for all policy matters pertaining to development and implementation of defence strategies and plans for the region.
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The US was glad to see the back of Nasheed despite his human rights and democratic credentials. It was a big failure by the Nasheed administration not to improve ties with the US during his presidency, and this I'm afraid is the result of it. The Americans could not care less who's in power, as long as their interests in the region are met. I read about the recent maritime surveillance system being put into operation in the Maldives, and I suspect there are other security/defence related projects down the line.
During Nasheed's time, he pursued an aggressive agenda on climate change, blamed and criticized the US, China etc on their positions. He then closed the Maldives Embassy in Washington DC and empowered the Islamists back at home.
After 7 Feb, he was very critical of US response to the change of government, and this intensified after they accepted the CoNI report. Even now, they refuse to buy into Nasheed's version of events on 7 Feb, and would much rather concentrate on the Maldives getting through an election. Once again, they could'nt care less whether its a Nasheed, Waheed, Yameen or Gayoom who's in power. Being the superpower they are, they'll still do business as long as we're no Commies!!
So, theres definitely no love lost between the US Government and the MDP and a lack of a 'definitive answer' from the US delegation to MDP inquiries are not entirely new, and not unexpected.
Nasheed is expecting very one to lick his ass? Who is he now and he no body today.
Nasheed had failed big times to manage the country and that is why he had loss the presidency.
Nasheed, you lost your job due to your arrogance and dictatorial attitude.
Ha ha ha!! This is not surprising what can US do they are simply not interested. How could they answer? Top tanking officials (MNDF/Police) confirmed that it was a coup. And talking about an early election ha ha ha ha ha ..... 12 months passed!!!
'No definitive answer?'
Read between the lines. That means 'We Don't Care!'
The US can make decision instantly if they want to, especially towards a fly speck in the middle of the ocean.
They are saying it nicely now. 'Carry on, with your politics. Leave us out!!!'
US: you have oil?
Mordiss: NOP
US: FUCK OFF then..
...or trillions worth untapped minerals as in Afganistan's case.
Right on the button, gundolhi