President's Special Interview

This is the translation of an interview given to Sinan Ali, the CEO of Sun Media Group and editor of Sun Magazine, by President His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik a few days ago. The interview took place in Divehi, the local language.

Sinan: Did President Nasheed call you on the 7th of February, before he resigned?

President: President Nasheed did not share with me anything about a decision to resign, a plan to resign, or a request from someone else for him to resign. He did not even call me. If anyone had told me that (Nasheed) was going to resign due to any kind of compulsion, I would certainly have refused to take up the position of presidency. President Nasheed did not maintain that good a relationship with me. I think it is a duty of President Nasheed’s to call me and inform me of his decision to resign. I came to know, later, that he consulted with a number of other people, phoned and spoke with some, and conducted a cabinet meeting as well. I was not invited to that meeting either. I did not know about that meeting until I saw the members of the cabinet at the President’s Office, on television. It is very sad; I could have given any assistance to President Nasheed only if he spoke to me, if he informed me.”

Sinan: We have largely seen that you shared information about this after you assumed presidency. The crisis which led to President Nasheed’s resignation prolonged from about 10 o’clock on the 6th until afternoon the next day. During this time, did you attempt to contact President Nasheed?

President: I did not have any knowledge about how President Nasheed was handling and planning inside situation on that day. As such, I did not have any opportunities to ask him anything. We saw President Nasheed on that day when he came out into the Republican Square to meet the police officers there, and that we saw on television. He then entered (Maldives National Defence Force Headquarters) and we did not know what happened afterwards. I did not try to call President Nasheed himself, but I tried to contact Moosa Jaleel, then then Chief of Defence Force. However, he did not reply to my calls or my texts. As such, I could not discuss any of them about what was going on.

Sinan: Did you communicate with the Minister of Defence or the Commissioner of Police?

President: No! I did not call them.

Sinan: All-party peace talks have now come to a standstill after what happened inside the People’s Majlis (Parliament) Chamber when you went there to deliver the State of the Nation Address. Some of the major political parties have pulled themselves out of the talk-process. What is on your mind about the continuation of the talks?

President: It is my wish that the talks continue. I believe that there is no other path to resolution than through talks. As such, I initiated the talks, and appointed a Coordinator, and all the parties came to the pedestal of consultation. However, MDP (Maldivian Democratic Party) obstructed the Opening Session of the Majlis on the 1st of this month, and as a result, I believe that some two parties have now said that there is no need to go ahead with talks if (MDP) obstructs Majlis sessions. However, I hope that soon the Majlis would begin its sessions, and the talks would resume too. My hope is that discussions of this matter would be conducted in the Majlis. I hope that a resolution would be reached through the Majlis.

Sinan: Do you mean to say that talks would henceforth be conducted on the Majlis platform, rather than carrying that process as before through a process in which parties get together?

President: I think it is important to use both the platforms. While the issue is discussed inside the Majlis Chamber, it is also important for parties to sit together outside the Majlis and continue all-party talks. That is because I believe that the scope of deliberations should be as wide as possible. There are parties which do not have representation in the Majlis. They also must be given the opportunity to have their say in the efforts at resolving the conflicts. That is the way in which we can enable the whole nation to participate in this. If we let only parties which have representatives in the Majlis to make a decision, other parties would definitely have reason to be frustrated. As such, I believe that these two tracks must be followed simultaneously.

Sinan: A few nights before the incidents of 7th February, there was a meeting between you and the leaders of the Civil Alliance. News of that meeting hit the media, and speaking to the media after the meeting, Civil Alliance said that you were prepared to assume presidency. A few days after that, 7th February occurred. Some people have accused on the media that the whole thing was pre-planned and that you were at the root of that plan. Especially, we hear this accusation from MDP podiums. Is there any truth in this claim? Was there any connection between the meeting you held with Civil Alliance leaders and the events that led to Nasheed’s resignation? Did you receive any such proposals?

President: The first thing that I would like to say is that what happened on the 7th of February was not planned. It happened because President Nasheed lost control of the situation as a result of his own way of doing things. I do not think that we have any individuals or groups who have the capacity to plan such a thing. (Nasheed’s resignation) was the result of circumstances in which many factors worked together. Until the very last minute, it was President Nasheed who gave all orders and managed everything. Hence, I think that when the attempt to control the situation failed, Nasheed must take responsibility for that, and I think it is very irresponsible to blame others for what happened. As you know very well, the people were disappointed with Nasheed’s way of doing things. Many people were frustrated about Nasheed’s actions, whether they be related to human rights, political issues, or religious issues, and those frustrated people had been conducting protests for three weeks. The parties that were leading the protests took their own initiatives to meet me twice. The first time, when they communicated that request to me, I immediately informed President Nasheed of that request. I requested representatives of the President’s Office to come and participate in the meeting. There was no response from the President. When the protesting parties requested to meet me the second time, it was a time when protests and gatherings that they conducted were prolonged very late into early morning. They requested to meet me at a very late hour, and I said it was alright, and they came to meet me. They told me that they were demanding President Nasheed to resign, that it was a possibility as things seemed back then, and they then asked me was whether I was prepared to fulfill my legal obligations if things took such a turn. I told them that I took my oath of office as Deputy President being fully ready to take up my constitutional obligations at any circumstances. I told them that it is the responsibility of the Deputy President to assume that responsibility if the law calls for that. This is what I told them. Now, if they, afterwards, expressed support for me, or expressed their wish to bring me to the forefront, it is not my call. I did not ask them to do that. As you know, my party is, in terms of membership, a very small party. In the ranks of the Civil Alliance, there are many parties, and even they do have their political and ideological differences among them. As such, it is not even possible for me to inject my way of thinking into all of them and bring them all under my wings. I would say that some people are trying to blame me in this, because they are out of all other explanations; because President Nasheed failed to take up his responsibilities. Nasheed resigned and went home after choosing to do so, and then some in his party pressured him, and then he is trying to come back. Nasheed has acted similarly even before. Look at the incident of his cabinet resigning! He told all cabinet members to resign, and I opposed that decision on that day. I asked him what he was trying to achieve by taking such a measure, and I told him he was giving the people a shock. You know very well what happened at that time. The whole nation was pushed down into a deep hole of predicament, and now, he is doing the same thing again. Every time, he does what he does without consulting me, and assumes that I would act in accordance with his plans as well. He probably thought that I would resign too with his resignation, and he did not consult with me even once. He thought about resigning even before, when there was a lot of pressure with regards to a mid-term presidential election (which Nasheed had promised before he came to power). Even then, he did not discuss with me. He would keep on saying that “others were asking about what Waheed would do”. At that time, we all sat together in a meeting with the English High Commissioner, and he told the High Commissioner three or four times that he was prepared to resign, and that he did not know what I would do. Not once did he ask me to resign with him. He probably assumed that I would always a similar step after his; that we would both resign and go for an early election and then come back again. He knows best his own mind.

Sinan: You have noted that Nasheed might probably have made assumptions on how you would react. I ask myself what reasons Nasheed could have to claim that he had to resign at gunpoint, not even 24 hours after resignation.

President: Most of the people voted (when Nasheed was voted into presidency in 2008) for the Coalition. That same vote elected him President and me Deputy President. Each vote that he received, I received too. We came to this point as a team. However, as things turned out, only members of MDP could have jobs; only they could be awarded with government projects, and several others (of Nasheed’s close associates) gained such (unfair and corrupt) advantages. And then, (when the time for resignation came) he did not think about those people; he suddenly resigned, and I wonder whether he thought about how hard that decision would hit those people. Nasheed’s resignation was a humiliation for those who stood behind him too. Resigning so lightly is not something that anyone should do. Why couldn’t he say that he was resigning under compulsion? He did not say that. He did not say that anyone was forcing him. He resigned live on television, and his cabinet members were there with him. Those cabinet members were the same ones who now shout out. Why couldn’t any of them shout out at that moment, that nobody could force Nasheed to resign? None of them did so! The MDP leaders that we know would not give up their power so lightly, unless that was the personal choice of their leader who was the President. We have to think about this. Now, think about the pressure that would result when Nasheed committed such a big mistake. How could he do that to his close friends and followers? He should have know that all the people to whom his government had awarded government projects and senior political positions would come back at him. What is happening now is the natural result of what Nasheed, as a head of a major political party that was in power, did. Members of MDP should think whether Nasheed was being responsible enough with the trust and leadership that they deposited in him.

Sinan: You have highlighted on the situation of 7th February. Do you believe that there was in fact a situation in which Nasheed had to resign?

President: I do not think so. If he gave up his stubbornness that day, and spoke to the people, he would have gotten it all under control. He had to deliver two or three messages. First of all, he had to say that he would no longer impose illegal orders, that he would henceforth work in accordance with the law, and that he would not issue illegal orders on the Police and Armed Forces. I think that this much would have softened the people and saved the day for Nasheed. However, he chose to be stubborn, and the result is what we see now.

Sinan: Given the gravity of the situation, do you think that Nasheed would have turned the tables if he met with the Police and the Armed Forces and the people there (at the Republican Square on the 7th of February) and communicated that message?

President: I have little doubt that if Nasheed acted so, the situation would have been brought under control. Our Police and Armed Forces are not obstinate. They obey their leaders and respect them. However, they would definitely and understandably resist when they are humiliated, provoked, dishonored and deprived of their weapons, and when courts were undermined.

Sinan: The day (7th February) wore on, and President Nasheed resigned. Until then, we did not hear anything about you. What were you doing?

President: I was watching television, just like others.

Sinan: You were the Deputy President. Why didn’t you think about going there, trying to bring peace and change the situation?

President: The President of the Republic was discharging his obligations. He did not call me, and did not request me for anything. How can I intrude there? Even though I was the Deputy President, President Nasheed kept me uninvolved, in handling significant political affairs of the country. He did it because I was not a member of MDP. He showed me “how terrible he could be to people belonging to other parties” (a reference to a statement that Nasheed had publicly made during his presidency) as I too was from another party.

Sinan: We believe that several people would have called you on that day, as President Nasheed would not have been in a situation to answer phone calls.

President: I did not answer phone calls that day. If President Nasheed wanted to call me, that was always possible. I was under the protection of MNDF, and here (at my residence) there were officers of various ranks, and they could contact me any time. If someone from the MNDF wished to call me, it could be instantly done. Only Abdullah Shahid (Speaker of the People’s Majlis) called me. Shahid called me twice that day. First time, he said that Presiden Nasheed was considering resigning and that he would call me when the matter was decided. Second time, Shahid called and said that Nasheed had resigned, and then he requested me to be present there (at the President’s Office) at a specified time.

We saw a number of retired, or dismissed officers of the Maldives Police Service and the Maldives National Defence Force that day on the scene. One of them is now the Commissioner of Police and one the Minister of Defence. How did Nazim come to be appointed the Minister of Defence and Riyaz as Commissioner of Police?

President: From the first moment itself, I decided that I would form a government of national unity in which all parties would participate. Hence, as soon as I took oath of office, on that day itself, I met the leaders of all political parties and consulted with them. They told me that these two posts needed to be manned as soon as possible, even though other appointment of other Cabinet posts could be delayed a while. The reason was that establishing and maintaining law and order was of prime importance. I discussed with them about the best candidates for those positions, and I was advised that the two men you mentioned were the ones.

Sinan: In your first press conference, after you took the oath of office, you said that one of your foremost priorities would be to establish rule of law. Many believe that what happened inside the Majlis Chamber on the 1st of March was a huge set back in the establishment of the rule of law. As ensuring rule of law is one of your main concerns, do you think that Abdullah Shahid (Speaker of the People’s Majlis) took the right decision that day?

On the 1st of March, we waited at the Majlis for a long time. I was there by 10 o’clock in the morning, in order to discharge my legal obligations. That obligation could only be fulfilled when the Majlis Session begins. However, there is nothing much that I can do in order to get the Session going. As you said, it is something that the Speaker of the Majlis must do, and he tried several times to start the session. However, he was obstructed at the entrance into the Chamber. It was his decision not to go ahead with the session with the use of force. As for me, I do not want to take things to the level of violence and bloodshed either. Granted, I could not deliver the State of the Nation Address on that day. That can, I believe, be done later, and I do not think violence and bloodshed should be carried out in order to do that. We have to think about national interests, and I believe that the Speaker took the most appropriate decision as per his judgment.

Sinan: I would like to know your own opinion on that decision, as we all know that the Speaker took the decision that he subjectively thought was best. I asked this question, bearing in mind that we have seen, in recent history, the Majlis go into heated confrontations and armed forces being called in to forcibly evict many MPs out of the Chamber in order to carry on sessions.

President: I believe that there was a chance of that happening on the 1st of March. I say this because the Chamber became calm when two members were evicted. At that moment, I thought we could go ahead with the session and the Address. However, I believe a delay cost us that opportunity.

Sinan: Do you mean to say the session could have been conducted, if it was begun at that moment?

President: Yes!

Sinan: We are hearing rumours that the Ministry of Fisheries would be entrusted to Dr. Ibrahim Didi (President of MDP)? Is there any truth in this?

President: I would not say that I discussed with anyone to hand over a Cabinet position to a particular individual. However, we are still hoping that some MDP members would participate in our cabinet. We have waited for many days, and we are hard pressed to go ahead with taking the necessary steps to run the government machinery. Even now, if Dr. Didi is willing, we would seriously think about that.

Sinan: Is the current delay solely due to MDP’s silence or, are there other reasons as well? I mean, 20 days have already passed after you assumed presidency. At this time, the cabinet being fully established and functioning is very important for the country, especially ministries such as Foreign Affairs (after the interview was given, the President has now appointed Dr. Abdul Samad as his Minister of Foreign Affairs). Even though there is an Acting Minister, foreign relations seem to be somewhat weak. What is really causing the delay in appointing cabinet members for some ministries?

President: It won’t be delayed much longer. I hope that we will see some important cabinet positions settled during the coming week.

Sinan: Some parties have pulled away from all-party talks. Do you think that it is the best course of action for now?

President: I wish to continue the talks. I do not want any party to draw back from talks. I believe that we should not stand in a position where we cannot talk to others. In all situations, there must be the willingness and possibility for dialogue, and if there is no such willingness and possibility, it would be very dangerous. As such, I still wish all parties to participate in the talks.

Sinan: We have seen you in the media as well as other platforms as someone who gives very diplomatic answers. Some people say that you are somewhat “too soft” to be able to lead a Civil Alliance government. What do you have to say about this?

President: Different people have different opinions. I think that a coalition government would need diplomatic skills on the part of the one who leads it. It cannot be done with obstinacy. Obstinacy there would cause the whole thing to fail, and all those involved in the government would be angered into leaving, and ultimately, the government would have no path to follow forward. I think that someone who is patient, and has the skills to hold all the participants together must lead the (coalition) government. I do not think that the Maldivian political environment is conducive to the rule by one party. I always think that the leader should be someone who has the skills necessary for keeping everybody committed to a union, and going forward patiently. Stubbornness and the attitude of thinking that oneself is the only one who knows how to run things are characteristics that would prove unsuccessful in the democratic Maldives of today.

Sinan: Did you happen to talk to Nasheed after his resignation.

President: Not directly, but indirectly, yes, to some extent.

Sinan: Could you tell us anything about the subject of communication between you two?

President: Nasheed’s only demand is to hold early (presidential) elections. I do not think that he has another thing in his mind right now.

Sinan: What medium was used in your communication?

President: You know, some individuals, some of our own, and some foreign diplomats.

Sinan: You have told us that there was no communication between you and President Nasheed on 7th February. When was the last time you spoke to him before his resignation?

President: The last cabinet meeting before resignation was the last time we spoke before that day.

Sinan: How is your relationship with President Maumoon?

President: Good. President Maumoon is someone I respect. We have a history. Some of my family members too had to undergo some undesirable things during the presidency of Maumoon. Even I had to leave the country. However, we have to always remember that he ruled our country for a very long time, and we must acknowledge that his leadership brought progress to this country. If we think without bias and prejudice, we must accept this fact. For instance, the opportunities of education became nationwide, modern schools were established in all the islands of the country, the national literacy rate reached this high, the Maldives surpassed most of the other nations of the world in achieving the international millennium goals in areas such as education and health and so on, under Maumoon’s leadership. Also, he developed our economy much; many resorts were established, which increased the national income, and also, the country graduated from the category of least-developed countries. All these things, we must acknowledge. That is the reality. During the last phase of his rule, a new constitution was written, and the Maldivian transition to a democratic polity began. The first multi-party democratic elections in the history of this country took place under his presidency as well. He accepted his defeat in the elections and stepped back. Now, we ought to respect someone like him, the whole country must respect him. We have to make ourselves know that these are people who have served our nation, and as such, I respect him very much. I would always think of him as a dignified man who has done a lot for this country, as the former President of the Maldives. I will make sure that he gets all the respect and esteem that he deserves.

Sinan: Your party is very small, and does not have a representation in the Majlis. Have you received any invitation from another party? Do you have any inclination to join another party?

I always receive invitations from MDP. However, I became Nasheed’s running-mate and the Deputy President as a member of another party, and I could not change that position. (Nasheed) tried to make me realize that I could discharge my legal obligations (as Deputy President) only if I became a member of MDP. That I could not accept. When someone tries to make me believe that I could fulfill my responsibilities which the people, by their votes, handed over to me only if I subjugated myself to the demands of MDP and become its member, I cannot accept that. That is not because I hate MDP or do not love members of MDP. Many of my family members are in MDP. And, I was also involved in founding MDP. When I left my job at the United Nations and came back, MDP was on the process of formation, and back then, there were just 29 branches of the party. I ran for party Presidency, and at that time, President Nasheed was under house arrest. I worked with the others in founding the party, and when we reached the first Party Congress, we had 300 branches of the party. Certainly, some people had to work to achieve that. I was a president of one of the branches in Malé. Moreover, at the Party’s presidential elections, I was voted second. I worked at the Shadow Cabinet as well. Even then, Nasheed had the habit of not letting anyone other than himself to have a say in party affairs. At that time, Ibrahim Ismail was the President of the Party, and Nasheed did not let him do his job. After Ibrahim, Dr. Munavvar became party President, and Nasheed did not let him do his job. After Dr. Munavvar, MDP now has Dr. Ibrahim Didi as President, and Nasheed wouldn’t let Dr. Didi to do his job either. Nasheed always works in such a dictatorial fashion. Inside the party, and as President of the country too, he displayed this same trait.

Sinan: Are you saying that you played a significant role in forming MDP? I mean, after the formation of party branches and the first Party Congress.

President: I was one of those who contributed most in forming MDP.

Sinan: Even more than President Nasheed?

President: I would not compare my role and contribution in founding MDP with that of President Nasheed. Yet, I served MDP very significantly. The first meeting of MDP in Kulhuduffushi was held under me. Back then, Kulhuduffushi was a place where Maumoon had a huge support-base with a lot of government employees. I conducted the first MDP meeting there, and helped form the first party branch there too. Similarly, I worked to create an MDP office in Meedhoo, Addu Atoll. In R. Atoll, Thinadhoo, and in many other parts of the country, I worked to form branches of MDP, and those who worked with me are still in MDP. Some of my family members, including my brother Naushaad, are members of MDP. Nazaki Zaki and Biggey, my brother-in-law, are also in MDP. So, there are members of MDP who are with me, and who support me. Some of them are disappointed at the turn of events and my current position. However, all of them must understand that I am merely fulfilling my legal obligations. My goal is to take this country to a destination of peace and harmony. I am working to save the nation from the huge political downturn that we are seeing now, in a way that is acceptable to all, and pave the way for free and fair elections. I do not believe that at this present time there can be a free and fair election in the Maldives.

Sinan: Do you mean to say that the situation in the country does not warrant an election before 2013?

President: There are things that we must do. One of them is to regain the dignity of the Judiciary which is charged with the function of upholding justice. We have to regain trust for the Courts. Now we have among us a group of people who do not recognize the courts of law. If we hold elections now, and if some people reject the results of the elections, how would such a dispute be settled in courts if they do not recognize or trust the Courts? They would then take to streets again. Now, I have been handed over this responsibility under the Constitution, and it is my duty to do it well. I would not turn my back on my responsibilities and let something like that happen. I am willing and ready to hold elections, but the issues I mentioned must first be settled.

Sinan: We saw and heard Nasheed at news conferences following his resignation saying that he does not approve of such things as discord and violence. However, you have said that Nasheed supports such things. Why are your reasons for saying that?

President: On the 8th of February, Nasheed led a crowd onto the streets. When they came out, they were calling for burning down (public and private) property. I do acknowledge that the police acted harshly on that day, and it resulted in some people getting hurt. However, Nasheed and his party exaggerated the facts and mislead the world media by using photographs of a few scenes and other means. MDP’s unelected Chairperson was claimed to be dead, and I received the message too, and he was taken abroad in a plane that night. The next day I spoke with the doctors who attended to him, and they told me that he had not received any fatal injuries. This is how they tell such big lies and exaggerate the facts before the world media in order to project our police as a brutal force and to deceive the world into believing that serious crimes were being committed by the government against the people. They then urge foreigners not to visit this country, not to come here as tourists, thereby destroying the country’s economy. You are calling such a group of people politicians? No! They are not politicians.

Sinan: We have heard that during the confusion in the Majlis on the 1st of this month, you were attacked, and some pictures from the scenes suggest that something like that happened. Did any such things occur?

President: The ones who tried to do that are actually very close to me, and they include friends of mine, and even persons with whom I have family ties, and I believe they might even tell me that what they did was nothing personal. I wonder what kind of behavior that is, may be their purpose is to get pictures to be sent to the foreign media. I wonder whether they ever think about national interests. Disrespecting me, by looking at me as Waheed the son of Handuvaru Hassan Manik, is different from disrespecting me in my capacity as President of the Republic, and I took my oath of office in accordance with the Constitution, in the presence of the Speaker of the People’s Majlis and the Chief Justice. All persons are obliged to respect the person holding the office of Presidency. That respect should be accorded irrespective of the individual holding that office. Similar respect should be extended to the Chief Justice and the Speaker of the People’s Majlis, and to all the institutions of the State. Everyone should fulfill their responsibilities to uphold the rule of law and to uphold the dignity of the State. If someone does not have the moral integrity to do that, I would say that that person is not mature.

Sinan: Did something as I mentioned happen on that day?

President: As it happened, they could not touch me. I do not bother about whether they do it or not, as I am not afraid of them. I stand on my feet not without nerves, and I would not be cowed in fear of my life, into taking even half a step back from my legal responsibilities.

Sinan: If your presidency continues until 2013, would you continue residing at Hilaalyge? I am asking this because we have heard that Theemuge (official Presidential residence built during the time of Maumoon) is being vacated to be your new residence.

President: We haven’t decided on that matter. I am not inclined to changing residences often, and I am perfectly happy with where I am currently living. I have had some advice on the matter, but I haven’t yet considered them seriously.

Sinan: Would you run for presidency in the future, by any chance?

President: As of now, I would not say that I will or will not do that. As you said before, my party is a very small one. However, my party is working quite systematically compared to some other political parties. We have always discharged our duties as a political party, and our administrative office is functioning well, and any reports and information that we are required to send to the Elections Commission and other government bodies have always been promptly submitted, and we participate in meetings and committees that we are required to participate as a political party. Hence, our party is a disciplined party. As I was the Deputy President, I have not been able to contribute to my party as effectively as I did before during the last 3 years. I saw myself not as the Deputy President of this nation, and not as the leader of one political party. In the future, it is possible for my party to enter into a coalition.

Sinan: What are your plans for resolving the issue of GMR?

I have been asked about GMR several times. I have always answered, and I made this clear in our press conferences too, that our aim is not to kick GMR out of this country. The contract between GMR and the government of the Maldives was one that was signed in a hurry, and it was reached through many short-cuts. There are issues related to that contract over which the people have expressed deep disappointment. We will work to settle those issues, and our policy is to engage in dialogue with GMR and come up with better terms. I have no doubt that this can be done. Recently, a team from GMR gave a presentation at my office, and they said that they were thinking about such issues as I just mentioned. We have been informed that GMR is ready to take initiative to resolve these issues as well, and a committee would be established from within the government to conduct dialogue with GMR about the matter, as soon as possible.

Sinan: What issues do you think should be given attention?

I haven’t had a look at the contract with GMR. I can speak on this after reading the contract, but there are issues such as imposition of certain taxes, which can only be done through the Majlis. Such issues need attention of the Majlis as well, and I hope that the process would begin soon.

Sinan: Are you planning to carry on the tax regime as it is now?

President: I have no plans to modify or discontinue the tax system, but I wonder whether some of the taxes are really necessary or not; I think it would be prudent to re-consider a number of them.

Sinan: Do you believe that President Nasheed might be re-elected as President?

President: I would choose to make no comment on that.