MDP must be open to dialogue without conditions: President

The President’s Office has said that the government would welcome Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) if they are open to resume dialogue without conditions.

Speaking at a press conference at the President's Office today, Press Secretary of the President’s Office Abbas Adil Riza welcomed the public statement by MDP announcing their readiness for talks. Riza said the government was ready for whatever talks necessary to calm the political tensions; MDP must, however, be open for dialogue without any conditions.

In this regard, Riza said that MDP had conditioned the release of criminals who are under arrest for terrorism charges. He said that the government would not negotiate with MDP on any such request.

“During some unofficial meetings, MDP has requested the release of criminals accused of terrorism. They want the government to drop all charges against these criminals. The criminal justice system in the Maldives does not give the government the authority to do that. I assure you that the government would not interfere with such issues,” Riza said.

Riza said that unofficial discussions are ongoing in order to resume talks, and that no party other than MDP had conditioned their participation in the talks on other things.

Riza also said that if MDP wants a referendum on early elections, that would be the fourth decision by MDP, and that the government would have to hold discussions on this issue with relevant groups.

Even though the government says this, MDP has said earlier that the party ready for discussions anytime, anywhere as decided by the government.