US State Department Visit

US Ambassador to Maldives Robert Blake, who is based in Colombo, Sri Lanka, visited Maldives the day before the ratification with the US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Richard Boucher. After meeting with a wide range of political and legal reform figures, they also took the time to have lunch with me and Cathy Toledo. We really appreciate the opportunity to brief them and their staff members on Maldives Media Training and the Think Nation program.

You probably remember Boucher from his role as state department spokesman in the days following 9/11 and his smooth briefing style was evident when he met the Maldivian press. His soundbite urging Maldives to set an example of Muslim democracy played prominently on the prime time news on the eve of ratification. It definitely made an impact. The highly respected former speaker of the Majlis, who resigned yesterday as part of the transition, made a point of telling me at the ceremony how much the message of support from a high US official was appreciated.As for me, I'm just proud to be an American playing a very small part in all of this. Here I am with my very own copy of the Maldivian constitution... in Dhivehi!