Government ready for talks with opposition – President Nasheed

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

President Mohamed Nasheed has said that the government is ready to hold talks with opposition parties to resolve the current political impasse.

Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, the President said the government is open to dialogue with the opposition to create “immediate and long-term solutions.”

The President suggested, long-term, that the Constitution should be amended to rectify elements within it that led to political deadlock.
“The Constitution, as it is, allows core executive functions to be obstructed by the parliament, including national development policies and the provision of basic services to the people,” he said.

The President suggested that to find a long term solution, political parties must decide whether they want a presidential or parliamentary system of government.

The President said that if political parties would like to maintain the current Presidential system then it must be an effective presidential system.

The President noted that if political parties want a parliamentary system of government, a referendum must be conducted, the constitution rewritten and fresh parliamentary elections held.

The President noted that opposition parties lobbied for a US-style Presidential system of government during a 2007 referendum. During the referendum, the public also opted for a presidential system.

President Nasheed went on to welcome offers of assistance and mediation the government has received from friends in the international community.

Earlier this month, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited the Maldives and played an important role in helping to foster dialogue between opposition parties and the government.

On Thursday, the US Assistant Secretary of State Mr. Robert Blake will visit the Maldives, after concluding a visit to Sri Lanka.
Mr Blake’s arrival follows a visit by the US Ambassador for the Maldives, Patricia Butenis, in the first week of July.

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