It’s only been two weeks since President’s special envoy Zaki talked about inviting Aung San Suu Kyi to the swearing-in ceremony of President Nasheed. Just yesterday our newspapers carried an article that said our government wants to democratize the Great Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriyya under the ‘Brother Leader’ of the Great Al- Fatah Revolution!
President Nasheed, in his first interview to the international media after assuming office, said his government is planning to establish an investment fund with earnings from tourism, to buy land from another country, should rising sea levels threaten the existence of our country.
President Nasheed, in his first interview to the international media after assuming office, said his government is planning to establish an investment fund with earnings from tourism, to buy land from another country, should rising sea levels threaten the existence of our country.
I’m not against promoting democracy, but to me, this rather neo-Reaganite championing of democracy seems a far too grandiose proclamation for a country of our size and resources. I wonder why our mighty neighbor India, in spite of being the world’s largest democracy, with its vast arsenal of hard power and formidable base of soft power, hasn’t dared to venture into such foreign policy adventures even at a regional level. I know it’s a little too early to be commenting on the policies of the new government. But if the above developments offer any clue to how our foreign policy is going to be shaped under our new government, it looks like Dr. Ahmed Shaheed and his team should be prepared for one hell of a crusade.
7 comments:
I thought so, too. I mean "democratising" Libya with Qaddafi in power? That must be a joke! If a powerful superpower like US couldn't do it, what makes us think that a tiny nation like Maldives "can"?
And did you notice that the media is awfully silent why the new government is pursuing on "mis-adventures."
First they cut down number of ministries but appoint more state ministers, nullifying everything in the process.
Then Anni appoints Presidential MPs but fails to ask them not to attend Majlis sessions because he himself said that even the constitutional requirement of Presidential MPs was not moral because the executive can influence Parliament according to his wishes.
When the new government is taking these measures against the spirit of the constitution, nobody is saying a word. There seems to be a popular nation-wide psyche which seems to be saying "don't criticise too much, just give time to this new government."
But I would say that if we don't correct the mistakes at this early stage, these mistakes will become a burden in the future both for the government and the people.
I say we follow David Letterman's stand when he broke the mold and woke up American media after it went into a silent and lenient mode following the Sept 11 attacks. That "silent period" was enough to give Bush the power to launch his insane "war on terror" policy across the world.
dude....zaki just said..maldives offer whatever "help" in libya in its ride to democracy.
im fuckin tired of blogger and commenters making a big story out of small things just for the sake of a blog.
yes, Hilath, looks like our fourth estate just went into hybernation. I think u r very right in pointing out the fact that if you media guys dont bring out the mistakes of government to the public, the mistakes r bound to become a burden soon. I think thats exactly what happened to Gayoom. As Go-go Latheef once said, when asked about his opinion on Gayoom, "he was essentially a good man, corrupted by 25 years of absolute power". It a job you guys need to do to make sure no one assumes absolute power in this country, agian.
anonymous 1:35AM - I'm sorry, but I don't think I've said anything in relation to a statement from Zaki about our 'help' to Libya in its ride to democracy.
Firstly, we don't even have a democracy long enough to preach it to others!
Secondly, Aung San Suu Kyi was held under house arrest from 1989-1995, and again from 2000-2002. She has been under house arrest till date since May 2003. I was in Myanmar few months back and wasn't even alowed to go close enough to take a picture of her house! I have no idea how she could have ever been allowed to attend a function in the Maldives.
Maybe it isn't the bloggers who blow things out of proportion?
Yes we are starting off on the wrong foot. But really I don't think what the president said with talks with Libyan special envoy was out of proportion. It was said in mutual understanding. Libya invited Maldives on sharing democratic reform experiences.
I don't think that asknaim even read the article.
Inviting Aung San Suu Kyi whats wrong with that even though she is under house arrest extending an invitation is a sign of recognizing her efforts to bring about democracy and freedom. Further it will put the military dictatorship of Burma under pressure. OK we are a small country and does not have a strong international influence but still we are a nation with a voice. That was a great move.
Instead of just blurting out mindless rhetoric lets engage in some constructive criticism. Issues like reducing government executive expenditure. And yes the issue of executive influence on the parliament with appointed members.The issue of incompetency in the cabinet postings.
Thanks, Island-chic and Rhetoric Thought, for your comments.
1. Rhetoric Thought, I don’t think there would be many people around the world overly keen on the idea of approaching the ‘brother leader’ of the Al-Fatah revolution to give him lessons on democracy. Maybe whatever president said regarding the issue was misquoted and blown out of proportion by the media and then I had this irresistible urge to make this rather frivolous comment on the issue.
2. I also know that an invitation to Aung San Suu Kyi would have been a symbolic gesture, in earnest, to recognize her efforts and the works of all the others relentlessly working around the world for the cause of democracy. What I’m not too sure regarding this is whether this would have been appropriate for us to invite her, given the fact that even Myanmar’s neighbours in ASEAN and our neighbour India, the largest democracy in the world have so far generally frowned upon taking any action to pressure Than Shwe and his junta, lest they inadvertently incense China. Considering our close relationship with China and her geopolitical influence in the region, I believe, it would have been nothing short of at least a diplomatic faux pas on our part to invite Aung San Suu Kyi. Anyway, my friend, you are entitled to your view ;-)
wtf is wrong with u bloggers. president just got elected, man
Post a Comment