There is better chance for reform to work this time: FM

Sunday, August 9th, 2009

Foreign Minister Dr. Ahmed Shaheed has said there is a greater chance of the present endeavors for liberal reform and democracy in the Maldives to work successfully although several such efforts made earlier have failed. Dr. Shaheed who was foreign minister and a key member of the former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s reform program who resigned from Gayoom’s cabinet blaming Gayoom’s leadership for the failure of reform, said so when he addressed India’s Council of World Affairs in New Delhi.

Dr. Shaheed elaborated that since 1932 there had been three occasions when efforts were made to introduce wide ranging political and democratic reform. But these efforts failed. This time we have embraced unprecedented democratic reform and that comes with the popular support of the people and with the aspiration of everyone for modern political reform

However the Minister said the task is very challenging, and at a time when the country is facing many difficulties, support of everyone and every effort would be needed to make the reform a success. When we make one step forward in the direction of democracy, there are some big dictatorial attempts to sabotage it. He warned unless we overcome these forces, there are risks of the country to plunge. If we do not succeed in our reform pursuit, problems like drug menace, lawlessness and violence may result in disintegration of society, he warned.

The Minister also pointed out economic difficulties also pose serious
challenges emphasizing the need to address the problem and importance
of encouraging investments. He said democracy is good governance and
it will take time to achieve our democratic goals.

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