Friday, July 23, 2010
Robert Blake
Hoping to help resolve the constitutional crisis unfolding on the tiny Islamic island nation, the U.S. government dispatched Robert Blake, assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia, to the Maldives. The country of little more than 300,000 people has endured violent street protests, prompting travel advisories from the American and British governments since trouble erupted between the president and parliament. Blake had served as ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives from 2006 to 2009.
President Mohamed Nasheed, who became the country’s first popularly-elected leader in October 2008, has claimed opposition leaders in parliament are stonewalling his reform plans. The stalemate led to a mass resignation of Nasheed’s cabinet, leaving the government in limbo.
Amid the troubles are allegations that four members of parliament have accepted bribes.
Opposition politicians have claimed Nasheed’s government has acted outside the bounds of the country’s constitution and has prevented parliament from doing its job.
On Thursday, Blake met with President Nasheed, opposition leader Ahmed Thasmeen Ali and the local press, among others.
-Noel Brinkerhoff
US Assistant Secretary Blake Claims Political Stalemate Can be Solved through Dialogue (by JJ Robinson, Minivan News)
US Official Visits Maldives to Break Deadlock (by Olivia Lang, BBC News)
Maldives Cabinet Meeting to be Held Underwater (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)
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