Cablegate: Special Media Reaction: Maldivian Media On Ambassador

VZCZCXRO4464
PP RUEHBI RUEHCI
DE RUEHLM #1883 3131202
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 091202Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4690
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0189
RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI 7041
RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA 0287
RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI 4862
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 6501
RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 4558
RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI 2055

UNCLAS COLOMBO 001883

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA, INR/MR, PA
SCA/PD (NEVILLE, VIAU);

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: PHUM KPAO EAID OIIP PREL CE
SUBJECT: Special Media Reaction: Maldivian Media on Ambassador
Blake Presenting Credentials and Port Call of USS DUBUQUE.

1. (U) Summary: Coverage in the Maldivian media of Ambassador
Blake's presentation of credentials and the visit by USS DUBUQUE
following Exercise COCONUT GROVE 06 with the U.S. Marines was
widespread in both print and television and generally positive.
Independent papers aligned with the opposition Maldivian Democratic
Party (MDP) used the U.S. visits to call attention to their upcoming
political rally on November 10. Print media is primarily in the
Dhivehi language with English language coverage provided by
bilingual websites associated with the print versions. Ambassador
Blake's meeting with President Gayoom and subsequent press
conference received factual coverage in both the two independent and
two of three government papers, including photographs. TV Maldives
aired a 23 second segment in Dhivehi covering Ambassador Blake's
conversation with President Gayoom and a 7 second segment on the
visit of USS DUBUQUE. End Summary.

2. (U) Government controlled dailies provided straightforward
coverage of the Ambassador's visit. Reporters from the
pro-opposition independent press tried to link the U.S. visits with
a planned November 10 opposition rally.

3. (U) The following are the headlines and leads that appeared in
government and independent papers after Ambassador Blake presented
his credentials on October 30 and held a press conference the
following day:

-- New ambassadors present Credentials -- Miadhu (Government)
October 31, 2006

"The new US Ambassador stressed the close friendly relations between
the Maldives and the United States. Welcoming the President's
democratic reform agenda, Ambassador Blake wished him success in
this important endeavour."

-- MDP to meet US Ambassador today - Dhivehi Observer (Independent)
October 31, 2006

"Official sources in the MDP have confirmed that the American
Ambassador to the Maldives, Mr. Robert O. Blake, will be meeting
with MDP leadership today, who is currently visiting the Maldives.
A senior official of the MDP said the party will express ongoing
concerns about lawlessness in the Maldives and the extent of
oppression in the country."

-- "USA: November 10 "Can Proceed" - Minivan News (Independent)
November 1, 2006

"The new American Ambassador to the Maldives, Robert O. Blake, said
in a press conference yesterday that he would support the Maldivian
Democratic Party's (MDP) November 10 assembly to accelerate
constitutional change, if the opposition acts in accordance with the
current constitution."

-- American Ambassador Meets Press -- Miadhu (Government) November
1, 2006

"The new ambassador from the United States to the Maldives met with
the Maldivian media yesterday."

4. (U) Coverage of the USS DUBUQUE visit to the Male atoll was
positive and helped to dispel rumors that the Marines had come as a
show of support or to assist in the suppression of the November 10
MDP rally. Sample headlines and leads follow:

-- Visiting U.S. ship did not have any political alignment - Minivan
News (Independent) Dhivehi, July 12, 2006

"Maldives government used the noble humanitarian assistance goals of
the US government for its own political agendas."

-- U.S. ship here on assistance mission will leave tomorrow -
Aafathis News (Government) Dhivehi, October 31, 2006

"The US Navy ship which came to assist the government of the
Maldives will depart tomorrow."

BLAKE

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