Foreign Minister begins tour of European capitals

20 September 2007
Report: Soodh

Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid, has begun a four-day tour of key European capitals during which he is expected to meet senior officials from the Commonwealth, the UK Government, the Belgian Government, the European Union, the United Nations Human Rights Council, and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Minister Shahid is expected to use the meetings to raise a range of issues with European stakeholders including democratic reform, human rights, climate change, and development assistance.

The visit began yesterday in London when the Minister met with Mr. Donald McKinnon, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, and later with representatives of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and Members of Parliament from the Maldives All Party Group.

Mr. Shahid today traveled to Brussels where he will meet with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, Mr. Karel De Gucht; the senior officials from the Council of the European Union, the European Commission and the South Asia Delegation of the European Parliament. Concluding the Brussels leg, the Foreign Minister will meet with the European Commissioner for External Relations, Ms. Benita Ferrero-Waldner. During these meetings, the Minister is expected to discuss issues including climate change, environmental rights, the Reform Agenda and EU development assistance to the Maldives.

In a final stop before flying to New York for the UN General Assembly, the Foreign Minister will visit Geneva to attend the 6th Session of the Human Rights Council. During the Session he will give a Statement raising the issue of climate change and highlighting its impact on the human rights of people in the Maldives. Minister Shahid will also meet with the Secretary-General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Mr. Anders B. Johnsson; the President of the Human Rights Council, Ambassador Doru Costea; and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Louise Arbour.

VELIDHOO COMMUNITY
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Ministry expects price reduction next week

20 September 2007
Report: Soodh

Ministry of Economic Development and Trade has reported that the Ministry is expecting a price reduction of major consumer goods for the month of Ramazan, early next week. Director General Usman Shakir said that the Ministry expects the prices to go down since measures are underway to solve the problem.

He said that the Ministry is identifying the causes for the escalating prices in the market and that measures would be taken to solve those. He said that there are two major issues that need to be addressed at present. Mr. Shakir said that there are some delays in unloading goods from ships.

He said that discussions were held with Maldives Ports Authority and other relevant officials and that it has been agreed to give priority to unload the goods that are necessary for Ramazan. If there are difficulties within the harbour to unload goods, then arrangements have been made to utilize the services in Thilafushi and Hulhumale’.

The second cause for escalating prices was that the suppliers bringing little quantities of goods. He said that there are orders in place that would reach the country next week and it would help to reduce the prices.

In addition, it is also expected that State Trading Organization would bring some of the goods next week. He also noted that discussions were held with major importers to find a solution to escalating prices of goods during Ramazan.

Earlier, Maldives Ports Authority, MPA has rebuffed the claims by some traders that delay in unloading goods in the ports of Male’ as a reason for escalating prices of goods in the market.

VELIDHOO COMMUNITY
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Minister addresses 19th Meeting of Montreal Protocol Parties

20 September 2007
Report: Soodh

Minister of Environment, Energy and Water Ahmed Abdullah has addressed the 19th Meeting of Montreal Protocol Parties held in Montreal, Canada.

Speaking at the meeting, Minister Abdullah noted that Maldives is party to Vienna Convention as well as Montreal Protocols to protect damages caused to ozone layer from various poisonous gases.

He said that lots of awareness campaigns took place in the country to create awareness among public members on substantial reduction of substances that deplete the ozone layer in the stratosphere, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons, being released into the environment.

He also noted the message given by President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and his efforts to bring the climate change and environmental issues to the attention of the world. He said that Maldives is directly affected by the consequences of climate change.

He said that by working together with all stakeholders, it is possible to achieve positive outcomes. He also urged and called to take protective measures to solve the problems.

The Montreal Protocol was signed in Montreal in 1987 and currently has 191 Parties. It is one of the most successful international environmental treaties and has resulted so far in the global phase-out of the production and consumption of over 95 percent of ozone-depleting substances world wide. Scientists have determined that the rate of decline in ozone has been reduced, and that ozone levels are no longer declining over mid-latitude areas, including southern Canada. Clear evidence of the start of a recovery of the ozone layer is anticipated within the next decade.

VELIDHOO COMMUNITY
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HIH introduces Indian & Arabic Food Festival for Ramazan

19 September 2007
Report: Soodh

Hulhule’ Island Hotel has introduced their Ramazan food promotion “Indian & Arabic Food Festival” at Faru Coffee house courtyard. According to officials from the hotel, this special food promotion organized during the month of Ramazan will feature an elaborated buffet consisting of specialties from Indian and Arabic cuisine.

A special section for the Maldivian delicacies would remain as an integral part of their buffet arrangement on a daily basis.

To generate the ambience the organizing officials have also decorated the buffet and courtyard using Indian and Arabic decorative items while their staffs are wearing costumes to suit the environment and classical Indian and Arabic music will enhance the diners to enjoy the evening to its fullest.

Reports say that the buffet will be opened from 1730 in the evening and will continue till 1900 hrs. The buffet is priced at Rufiyaa 199 per adult, Rufiyaa 129 per children 7-12 years of age and children below six-years will have complimentary when accompanied by a paying adult.

Adult paying guests are also entitled for Lucky Draws which includes of Airline tickets and Dinner vouchers. Lucky Draw will be held on 17 October at HIH Ras Maalan Ballroom. Emirate, Dhiraagu and Indian Airlines have sponsored the food promotion.

All their monthly food promotions have been a great success all year through to entice and meet guest’s satisfaction.

VELIDHOO COMMUNITY
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11-member ad hoc committee gets 10-days extension

19 September 2007
Report: Soodh


People’s Special Majlis on its sitting last night have decided to give 10-days extension for the 11-member Referendum ad hoc Committee to complete and submit the report.

11-member committee failed to meet the deadline to submit the report. Speaker Gasim Ibrahim at the 173rd session of the meeting said that the chairman of the 11-committee Vaavu Atoll MP Moosa Nizar has signed the report of the Elections Commissioner without receiving the majority of the committee.

The main agenda item considered at last night’s session was the consideration of the issue on the failure of the 11-member ad hoc committee to submit the report of the public referendum held on 18 August 2007, due to lack of quorum at the committee meetings.

The committee was elected to monitor the public referendum held to decide the system of government and has to submit the report within 14 days after the referendum. Two motions were moved and seconded at the sitting. However, none of the motions received the required majority to pass the motion.

Hence, the Speaker exercised his right under Article 99 of the Special Majlis Rules to give an extension for the committee to complete and submit the report so that the final result of the referendum could be endorsed by the Majlis.

Opposition MDP claims that the vote was rigged and has filed cases to Civil Court against Elections Commissioner, Minster of Atolls Development and Chief Judge of the Civil Court.

The historic referendum saw an overwhelming 62 percent backing for a presidential system of government over a parliamentary system.

VELIDHOO COMMUNITY
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Fishermen to receive free software packages

19 September 2007
Report: Jaxlee


Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources has reported that the GOI Fisheries Information Services software used to locate best fishing zones via satellite will be implemented from next week. The Ministry says that under this project fishermen will receive software and related packages free of charge.

Reports from the Ministry say that consultants visited the Maldives during August and have provided all necessary technical inputs and the process is at its final stages.

Fisheries Ministry reports that the introduction of this new technology would enable the fishermen to work more effectively and efficiently in the future.

Maizaan Electronics private limited earlier had introduced the special software to locate best fishing zones via satellite and had presented it to the Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources.

Under the first phase of the project, information would be provided through radio, television and internet. A special hotline would also be established to provide information through wireless devices.

Fishing is the second major industry and this technology would further enhance the industry, according to reports.

VELIDHOO COMMUNITY
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Mundhu still Chief Spokesman - Aamir

19 September 2007
Report: Soodh


Executive Director of President’s Office Hussain Aamir has rejected the rumors that Chief government spokesman Mohamed Hussain Shareef (Mundhu) has been changed from his post.

Mr. Aamir said that he has no idea where such news came from and said that it was totally untrue and that Mundhu was in office even yesterday.

He said that Mundhu still is the Chief Spokesman and there is no official change to his post as yet.

VELIDHOO COMMUNITY
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MDP calls to remove Elections Commissioner

19 September 2007
Report: Soodh

Maldivian Democratic Party, MDP has called on President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom to consider removing Commissioner of Elections K.D. Ahmed Manik from his post. MDP accused the Commissioner for rigging of votes and says that the report submitted by the Commissioner was fraudulent.

In a press release, MDP has stated that Commissioner has deliberately rigged the result of the votes and that action must be taken against him. MDP claims that the vote was rigged and has filed cases to Civil Court against Elections Commissioner, Minster of Atolls Development and Chief Judge of the Civil Court.

MDP says that the Commissioner has confessed that there were discrepancies in the eligible voters and the official result and also has said that the list which includes some of the deceased was received from vital statistics authorities.

It also noted that there were three different figures announced at three different stages regarding the number of eligible voters.

The historic referendum saw an overwhelming 62 percent backing for a presidential system of government over a parliamentary system. MDP says that they will attempt to overturn the results of the referendum provided that the court cases are proven.

VELIDHOO COMMUNITY
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18 September 2007
Report: Soodh & Amindi

ނާސިރާއި މައުމޫނަށް ރައީސް ކަމަށް ކުރިމަތި ނުލެއްވޭ ގޮތަށް ޑްރާފްޓިން ކޮމެޓީން ފާސްކޮށްފި

ު

ކުރީގެ ރައީސް އިބްރާހީމް ނާސިރާއި މިހާރުގެ ރައީސް އަލްއުސްތާޛް މައުމޫން އަބުދުލް ގައްޔޫމަށް, ރައީސުލްޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާ ކަމުގެ މަގާމަށް ކުރިމަތިނުލެއްވޭގޮތަށް ގާނޫނު އަސާސީގެ ޑްރާފްޓުކުރާ ކޮމެޓީން ފާސްކޮށްފި އެވެ

އެ ދެބޭފުޅުންނަށް ރައީސް ކަމަށް ކުރިމަތިނުލެއްވޭގޮތަށް ޑްރާފްޓުކުރާ ކޮމެޓީން ފާސްކުރެއްވީ ރައީސުލްޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާގެ ކަމުގެ މަގާމު ދެ ދައުރު ފުރިހަމަކޮށްފައިވާ މީހަކަށް އަލުން ރައީސުލްޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާ ކަމަށް ކުރިމަތިނުލެއްވޭ ގޮތަށް ގާނޫނު އަސާސީގެ ރައީސުލްޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާއާ ބެހޭ ބާބުގެ (ހ) ގައި ހިމަނާފައި އޮތުމުން ނެވެ

ރައީސުލްޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާ ކަމުގެ މަގާމަށް މިހާރުގެ ރައީސް އާއި ކުރީގެ ރައީސް އަށް ކުރިމަތިނުލެއްވޭގޮތަށް އެ ކޮމެޓީން ފާސްކުރީ އިސްލާހުކުރަމުންގެންދާ ގާނޫނު އަސާސީ އެކުލަވާލުމުގެ ތެރޭގައި ރައީސުލްޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާގެ ބާބުގެ ފުރަތަމަ ހަތަރު މާއްދާ އިއްޔެ ފާސްކުރުމުގެ ތެރޭގައި ކަމަށް ކޮމެޓީގެ މެމްބަރަކު ވިދާޅުވި އެވެ

މިހާރު އަމަލުކުރަމުންދާ ގާނޫނު އަސާސީ އަށް އިސްލާހު ގެނައުމުގެ ގޮތުން, އެކުލަވާލަމުން ގެންދަވާ ރައީސުލްޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާގެ ބާބުން އިއްޔެ ފާސްކުރި ދެ ވަނަ މާއްދާގެ ހ.ގައި ބުނެފައި ވަނީ ”ރައީސުލްޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާ ކަމުގެ ދައުރަކީ ފަސް އަހަރު ދުވަހެވެ. އަދި އެއްވެސް މީހަކަށް ވިދިވިދިގެން ނުވަތަ އެ ނޫން ވެސް ގޮތަކަށް ވެސް ދެ ދައުރަށް ވުރެ ގިނަ ދުވަހު ރައީސުލްޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާ ކަމުގެ މަގާމެއް ނުފުރޭނެ“ ކަމުގަ އެވެ. އަދި އެ މާއްދާގެ ށ. ގައި ބުނެފައި ވަނީ ”ރައީސުލްޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާ ކަމުގެ ދެ ދައުރު ފުރިހަމަކޮށްފައިވާ މީހަކަށް އަލުން އެ މަގާމަށް ކުރިމައްޗެއް ނުލެވޭނެ އެވެ

މި މާއްދާގައި މިވާ ގޮތަށް ރައްޔިތުންގެ ހާއްސަ މަޖިލީހުން ފާސްކޮށްފި ނަމަ, ނާސިރަށާއި މައުމޫނަށް ރައީސްކަމަށް ކުރިމަތިލެއްވުމުގެ ފުރުސަތު ގެއްލިގެންދާނެ އެވެ. ނަމަވެސް މައުމޫނު ވަނީ އަންނަ އަހަރު އޮންނަ ރިޔާސީ އިންތިހާބުގައި ވާދަކުރައްވާނެ ކަމަށް ވިދާޅުވެފަ އެވެ. އަދި ރައްޔިތުންގެ އިންތިހާބަކުން ރައީސް ކަމަށް ހޮވިގެން އެއް ދައުރުގައި ވެރިކަން ކުރައްވަން ބޭނުންވާކަމަށް ވެސް މައުމޫނު ވަނީ ވިދާޅުވެފަ އެވެ

ޑްރާފްޓުކުރާ ކޮމެޓީން އިއްޔެ ބޭއްވި ބައްދަލުވުމުގައި ވަނީ ރައްޔިތުންގެ މަޖިލީހާ ބެހޭ ބާބު ވެސް ފާސްކޮށް ނިންމާފަ އެވެ

N.VELIDHOO COMMUNITY

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Local produce’s prices skyrocket

18 September 2007
Report: Soodh

MALE, September 18, 2007 (N. Velidhoo Community, News Service) -- As the fasting month of Ramadan begins counting its days, local produce’s prices have skyrocketed.

At a stall at the new Local Market in the capital Male, Abdul Hakeem from Fuvahmulah has been selling produce for the past 15 years brought and bought from his native island.

“It’s common for prices to go up every Ramadan,” says Hakeem. “In fact, I have encountered no year when prices remained at what anyone will perceive as normal prices.”

“It’s difficult to collect and purchase produce, and recently, prices in Fuvahmulah have also gone up. But this is something that the customer does not know,” he said.

Some of the kind of produce whose prices have gone up are watermelon, coconut, cabbage and chilli. Their prices are now ‘double’ what was pre-Ramadan.

A bunch of bananas now fetch Rf500; a banana being available for Rf3.

Another vender says that for some reason this Ramadan, locally produced bananas are available in short supply this time.

“Even those brought here are taken to resorts,” he said.

The price of a watermelon was between Rf6 to Rf8 per kg earlier but the price has now gone up to Rf10 per kg.

While many islands, other than the traditionally famous North Ari atoll Thoddoo have started cultivating watermelons on a longterm basis, it still cannot meet the local demand.

“Therefore, the price of watermelons remains high because we have failed to import the needed watermelons from abroad,” says Naseer Mohamed, who runs a convenience store in Male. “Last year, watermelons were imported in great numbers bringing the overall price of the fruit down.”

A visitor to the local market, however, expressed bafflement at what he called the “sudden fluctuation of prices at different times of the day.”

“On Thursday morning, I bought a cabbage leaf for the price of Rf3 but in the afternoon the price had gone up to seven Rufiya!” said Ahmed Rasheed.

People speculate as to why prices of local produce -- and even imported ones -- have skyrocketed these days. Some suspect selfish traders stocking up on goods unnecessarily to create a black market price for products. This belief stems mainly from the fact that the Maldives Ports Authority has recently gone to many lengths to publicise in the media its claim that enough food stocks have been imported to meet the required demands for Ramadan.

A local analyst however also blamed on “rural businessmen deliberately raising the price of their produce for Ramadan.”

“Then towards the end of the Ramadan, when the festival of Fitr Eid approaches, they will lower the prices like a clearance sale so that they can sell their whole stocks and make way home in time for Eid festivities,” commented a local economic analyst.

But a rural trader told Velidhoo Community a different story. “Most of our produce had been damaged during the freak storms we experienced at different times of this year. Our cucumber and chilli farms were particularly hard hit. And in some islands, the banana plantations were damaged,” he said.

Some local economic analysts say that the reason why local traders can still pitch local produce at high rates is because there is a perception among local customers that local produce will be fresh and healthy -- and perhaps because of a certain sense of patriotism.

VELIDHOO COMMUNITY
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