updated by: Ramiz

I am deeply troubled by misrepresentation of comments I had recently made in India, while speaking about the rapidly deteriorating security situation in the Maldives and the international law obligations of regional partners.

The comments I made were directly related to long-standing security cooperation between India and the Maldives, and the common interest of both countries in ensuring peace, stability, law and order in the Maldives, and the emerging international law obligation of Responsibility to Protect. They respond directly to the growing political violence in the Maldives with clear international dimensions.

It is ludicrous to suggest that either I would propose or that India will receive from me a request that violates the sovereignty of the Maldives or the Charter of the United Nations. My comments in India were completely within the framework of the United Nations resolution 44/51 on Protection and Security of Small States, which the Maldives proposed to the UN in 1989 and of which I am the author. They were fully consistent with the principles set out in UN resolution 2625 and with the regional and the bilateral agreements in force between the two countries.

It is also noteworthy that during the recent three year tenure of President Mohamed Nasheed, corporate India had invested more than 800 million US dollars on development projects in the Maldives. These are clear testimonies and marks of confidence for the democratic system being ushered in with the policies of the Maldivian Democratic Party.

To suggest that a call for proactive regional security cooperation was tantamount to treason only reflects the international outlook of those currently governing the Maldives; and I strongly disassociate myself from any such imputation.

Respectfully

Ibrahim Hussain Zaki
Special Envoy
Office of the Special Envoy of President Mohamed Nasheed

(ނޢއވ( އިބްރާހީމް ހުސައިން ޒަކީގެ ނޫސް ބަޔާން