- UN will arrange the next round of talks
- No sincerity from the opposition: Shainee
- Opposition did not even meet the envoy
The UN envoy sent to lead the All Party Talks Tamrath Samuel has departed the Maldives, following a lack of progress to the talks.
In the three days, Samuel spent in the Maldives, he had attempted to revive the stalled All Party Talks. He had met representatives of Jumhooree Party, Progressive Party of the Maldives, team of the Talks, ambassadors of various nations and President Abdullah Yameen Abdul Qayyoom. However, members of the opposition parties had refused to meet the envoy, stating that no discussions can be held without freeing jailed political leaders.
Fisheries Minister Dr. Mohamed Shainee, who is the lead in the Government delegation, said to Avas said that there was still hope that the discussions can resume. He said the envoy will now devise a new plan for the All Party Talks even with the opposition refusing to attend the talks. He added that once the talks resumes the envoy will reveal other options.
Dr. Shainee said that even though the opposition agreed to participate in the talks, they did not even meet the envoy. Shainee said the Government was ready to even free the jailed opposition figures to proceed ahead with the talks. He said the Government had no stipulations to move ahead with the talks.
"Now we know they are not sincere. We're telling them to come to the talks to free their leaders, to find ways to do that. But they're offering excuses. Even the international community will now know what their intentions are," Dr. Shainee said.
"They're prolonging the process. We're ready to start the talks,"
UN said the talks will proceed as planned and due to the envoy's work they have been able to achieve some success. UN said Samuel sought to establish a middle ground for all parties. He added that even the UN envoy stressed on setting aside differences for national interest.
