13 August 2007
President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's decision to stand election for a sixth term of office in 2008 is not for continuing his reform agenda, prominent lawyer and information minister Mohamed Nasheed has said so in his blog answering a weekend question whether Nasheed would agree the President shouldn't run to office for another term on the basis of continuing his reform agenda.
President Gayoom's Influential attorney General Dr. Hassan Saeed joined by Justice Minister Mohamed Jameel have suddenly resigned from their cabinet posts on 5 August accusing President's reform agenda has failed and President Gayoom has no reason to stand election in 2008.
Replying the question Nasheed said, “No. I do not agree. Continuing his reform agenda is in fact not the reason for the President's decision to stand election in 2008. That is what Hassan said in the press conference." Nasheed went on to say that "Hassan did not advise the President to stand election in a cabinet meeting. There are smaller committees and groupings of cabinet ministers with different combinations with whom the President discusses selected issues or seek guidance or opinion. I happened to be there in that special ad hoc committee that day along with Hassan. The President was sharing some concerns he has regarding the internal rivalry among cabinet or party colleagues. He was narrating how few cabinet ministers or DRP seniors having lost sight of reform and putting up a united front for the public, have gotten too involved with political ambitions and taken their differences to the public and created an unhealthy rivalry among colleagues. Hassan in proposing a solution asked the President to publicly declare his candidacy to ensure that all internal pressures are subdued for the time being. From what he said to the President I definitely knew that Hassan had even on several previous occasions asked the President to do that but the President had parked the issue. Two weeks later, the President mentioned his candidacy in a DRP rally in Laamu atoll."
Answering a question about what triggered Dr. Saeed and Jameel to resign, Nasheed replied he knew what happened and the exact reasons but he declined to speak on Hassan's behalf publicly. But Nasheed explained that Hassan had frustrating experiences work wise; there have been New Maldives issues, there have been other political issues, there have been issues about parliament, there have been issues about the breakaway faction of DRP, there was anger about Nasheed not having left the stage with Jameel. He said all of it culminated into a dangerous moment during the hours immediately following the debate. Nasheed also said there were people who encouraged him to get out of all this, he was bought into it and Nasheed declined to say more than that.
When Nasheed was asked whether he would prefer the Attorney General's office, he said he would have preferred being the AG sometime back and he has always been a lawyer and involved with the legal reforms, bills, advice, opinion and all that, but said it is impossible. "I could have been AG easily. But being at information for two years, I have fallen in love with my work there. I have earned the respect of the sector and I have a dedicated team I love to work with. There is much more I can do by being there at information. If Hassan had been in cabinet, and if we are talking of a shuffle on pleasant terms, I could have considered that and things have been different. But now, it is impossible for anyone to convince me to go there. I just cannot do that. I hope the President does not even consider my name. It will be like marrying the ex-wife of my best friend. That is so impossible."
President Gayoom has responded to Dr. Saeed's statements on 6 August at world environment day meeting in Mahibadhoo that the reform aganda has not failed and much of it has already been achieved. President also said that Dr. Saeed has advised him to stand election in 2008. President Gayoom has announced in a DRP meeting at Laamu Fonadhoo on 28 June that he will stand for re-election in 2008 presidential election. Chief Government Spokesman last week has told media that President Gayoom wants to serve another full term to complete his reform agenda.
No comments:
Post a Comment