Co-Chair agreeable by Nasheed, Commonwealth to be appointed to NEC

While criticizing the Commonwealth, President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik has revealed that an agreement has been reached to appoint a person as the deputy of the National Enquiry Commission who is mutually agreeable by former President Mohamed Nasheed. Speaking during the meeting with the foreign diplomats based in New Delhi, President said that an agreement had been reached with the Commonwealth Special Envoy to the Maldives Sir Donald McKinnon to revise the current composition of the Enquiry Commission which had been established to probe the events surrounding the transfer of power on February 7.

To that end, it has been agreed to appoint a person mutually agreeable by Nasheed as the Co-Chair of the Commission, President added.

“Hence the discussions are ongoing. I believe that the achievements of the Special Envoy would be announced today or tomorrow,” President said.

However, President Waheed had heavily criticized the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) that had been calling on the government to revise the structure of the Enquiry Commission and to hold early presidential elections.

In response to a question from a diplomat, President alleged that the Maldives had been placed in agenda of CMAG by the influence of certain individuals with close affiliations with former President Nasheed.

He also claimed that CMAG’s actions in relation to Maldives had been in total violation of its authority and mandate. President further added that certain protocols existed in placing a country on the agenda during the first phase of an assessment by CMAG.

“CMAG can only place a country on its agenda after considering four factors. First factor is the violation of the constitution, second is postponing a previously scheduled election, third is stymieing the Parliament and the fourth factor is the violation of constitutional rights such as freedom of expression,” President detailed.

“None of these factors have transpired in the Maldives. However, some very influential people had placed us on the agenda without even a second look at the real situation.”

President admitted that initially it had been difficult to deal with and move forward in the face of such political upheaval and stressed that by the time the political situation had settled, Maldives had been placed on CMAG’s agenda.

He expressed disappointment and detailed that it had been hard to move forward when the warning of stronger measures against the Maldives had been issued by CMAG if the composition of the Enquiry Commission is not revised within four weeks had been hanging overhead.

“We used to believe that the Commonwealth was the champion of the smaller nations that extended assistance in every way possible. But to the contrary we witnessed the grouping inclined towards Nasheed, head towards punishing us,” Waheed said while publicly criticizing Commonwealth and CMAG for the first time.

President reiterated his earlier statement that he would not back the notion to withdraw Maldives from the Commonwealth which had been suggested by some pro-government members.

On that note, he expressed confidence that the bill submitted to the Parliament to pull out from the Commonwealth would be brought back as soon as the Parliament reconvenes.

During the meeting Waheed claimed that the McKinnon had arrived in the Maldives on his request and assured that he would comply and facilitate the decisions made by the Special Envoy and the political parties.

President on a five day official visit to India would leave New Delhi and travel to Mumbai this evening. He is scheduled to hold a press conference with the foreign media prior to his departure from the Indian capital.

Tweet Bookmark Print Badge the Comments! Give badges to the best comments you see! You will get four badges a day 0 Comments To have full access to the interactive features available in Haveeru Online please register or sign in. or Post a Comment Loading comments... Please wait