'Don't worry, no Al Qaeda in Maldives'

NEW DELHI: The Maldives is free from the 'virus of terrorist brands like Al Qaeda' and it is grateful to India for sending its intelligence agencies to probe the first ever terror attack that shook the atoll nation two months ago, says Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid.

"The attack was a major shock to the Maldives and to the international community. We are committed to the Maldivian way of life," Shahid, who was here recently on his first visit to India as foreign minister, told.

"We are encouraged by the international community's response (after the attack). We welcome India's strong statement condemning the attack. I met Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee in New York when the attack occurred," he said.

Shahid made the comments in the context of the Sep 29 bombings at Sultan Park in Male that shattered the calm of the paradise-like Maldives, a prized destination for wealthy Western and Japanese tourists.

"We carried out investigations with the help of Indian and American intelligence agencies. No connections with well-known terror brands have come up. We don't want to rule out the involvement of foreign elements," he said, when asked if he suspected the involvement of Al Qaeda and its affiliates in the bombings. 

"Maldives has had a moderate Islamic philosophy. We are more vigilant now," he said.

"Indian and Maldivian intelligence and defence forces cooperate in more ways than one," the foreign minister said.

"Whenever there has been a crisis, India has been a friend. The Maldives and India hold an annual joint defence exercise called Dosti," he said.

Then Indian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi sent Indian troops to the Maldives in November 1988 to foil an attempt by Sri Lankan Tamil militants to oust President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.   

Shahid said the Maldivian government had set up a committee to probe the proliferation of extremism in South Asia and its recommendations were being implemented.

"The global village is afflicted with a virus which is spreading. Terrorists who want to intimidate civilised society will always want to find a way out. But we are ready to rebuff any such attacks."

Shahid conjured up a positive picture of the democratic reforms in his country and said this will pave the way for multi-party elections in November 2008.

Stressing that the reform process was "broadly on track", he said the Maldives was confident of finalising a new constitution that will lead to a liberal, multi-party democracy.

Gayoom, Asia's longest serving leader who unveiled the democratic reform agenda in 2003, will contest next year's elections. The new constitution will set a limit of two terms for the president, Shahid said.

"After the new constitution comes into force, it is up to Gayoom to decide whether to contest two terms or not.

"We not only want to have free and fair elections but want to be seen as doing so. That's why we have invited international monitors to observe the elections next year.

"A UN team will be visiting in December. They will take a look at existing mechanisms. Besides eminent experts from Saarc countries, we have also invited the US to send observers," said Shahid

"Gayoom has created what the Maldives is today and that's why he wants to oversee this transition to democracy. He wants successful democratic institutions and not any person in particular to be his successor," he said.