Report: Soodh
Both the Government and the opposition MDP are genuine in their intent to complete constitutional reform by the end of November, United States Ambassador to the Maldives Robert Blake has said. Blake said this, replying to a question posed in an unofficial meeting held yesterday at Hulhule' Island hotel for the Editor level staff of daily newspapers of Maldives.
The US Ambassador who resides in Sri Lanka, arrived in Maldives last Monday on an official visit said that he has met with President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and MDP leadership. He said that the completion of constitutional reform by 30 November was discussed in both the meetings.
"I got the opportunity to meet MDP leadership within two to three hours after I met President Maumoon. Opinion of both the parties was very good" Blake said.
The US Ambassador said hopes are high that the upcoming Presidential elections will be held under the new constitution. He said that the current problems experienced in elections are not expected to repeat once the Elections Commissioner becomes an independent body and the executive branch and judiciary etc of the nation becomes separate powers.
US Ambassador said that there were 4 main objectives of his visit to Maldives this time and that includes revealing the level of US participation Maldives' Trade fair, further strengthening the friendly relations between the US and the Maldives, inaugurating the water plants in Lhaviyani Naifaru and Hinnavaru with assistance from US Aid and also to clarify how recent referendum was conducted to choose the system of government.
The US Ambassador said that he hopes to open a branch of his office in Maldives. He said that this office would not be an embassy, but the US Ambassodor's office in Sri Lanka will over see the work done at this office.
Tuesday night, Robert Blake launched a Virtual Presence Post in the Maldives, which is a 24 hour online service dedicated to Maldivians who want to get information about trade, visa, education and other matters about the United States.News: Velidhoo Coomunity
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