zaki calls for terrorism
Zaki calls for reign of terror
By: Moonisa Easa
Male', 10 January 2006 (olhuala.com) - MDP vice president Ibrahim Hussain Zaki has called on his followers to use hostage-taking and other terror tactics to achieve their political goals. Speaking at a Maldivian Democratic Party meeting last Saturday, Zaki hailed the hostage-takers of Fares-Maathoda as heroes.
As covered elsewhere on this site, the Fares-Maathoda incident involved the taking of innocent hostages by MDP activists on the island of Maathoda in Gaaf Dhaalu Atoll in the first week of January. In an episode reminiscent of Iraq, the men were held against their will while the criminals made a list of material demands from the government.
This act of terror, organised, orchestrated and implemented by the MDP, drew widespread condemnation from all areas of Maldives society as well as from foreign observers.
"The heroes of Maathoda have set a fine example for all of us. I call upon you to use their methods in order to achieve our goal of overthrowing the corrupt Gayoom regime." Zaki told the meeting attended by several hundred. "They have shown that force is the only language that is understood."
Zaki also implied he knew the facts about the horror felt by the captives and the general population: "Of course, innocents will be affected; but the means are justified by the ends."
Questioned by olhuala about these comments, a state attorney, on condition of anonymity, had this to say: "We know about these inflammatory comments; this is not the first instance. We are keeping a comprehensive record of everything these 'politicians' are saying. By themselves, these comments break the law, but our policy is to wait and build an exhaustive file of public comment and actions before we prosecute; as we did with MDP Chairperson Annie [Mohamed Nasheed]."
"We know what the MDP's tactics are: they want to create violence and bloodshed and then move to the background, letting others suffer the consequences. We have copies of the manual they are using to create public tension in an attempt to bring down the government."
"Some of their attempts are quite laughable. Perhaps they do not know that we can anticipate all of their actions. Zaki is trying to provoke a disproportionate response from the Police and from us, both by his words and by the actions he is calling for. We know that. But they ought to know we are always two steps ahead of them."
Some attendees at Saturday's meeting took Zaki's speech as a call for terrorising and abusing the public. "He pretty much asked us to go and shoot, bomb, kill and maim innocent members of the public; anything to create an uproar, to show the world that things are not right in this country." said MDP national council member Ali Faiz. "Although a lot of our younger membership cheered his speech, a lot of us think he went too far."
Other attendees had a different perspective. Saljam Mohamed Ziyad, a leading activist said: "We are united behind Zaki's speech. All of us agree that violence has to be used and some innocent casualties are inevitable. I know the decision has been made higher up and we shall see more incidents such as Maathoda. And even better."
The MDP has been unable to shake its violent tag from the time of its existence as an insurgent movement (up until July last year when it gained registration as a political party). It has pointedly failed to denounce violence and terror despite numerous calls, and opportunities, nationally and internationally.
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By: Moonisa Easa
Male', 10 January 2006 (olhuala.com) - MDP vice president Ibrahim Hussain Zaki has called on his followers to use hostage-taking and other terror tactics to achieve their political goals. Speaking at a Maldivian Democratic Party meeting last Saturday, Zaki hailed the hostage-takers of Fares-Maathoda as heroes.
As covered elsewhere on this site, the Fares-Maathoda incident involved the taking of innocent hostages by MDP activists on the island of Maathoda in Gaaf Dhaalu Atoll in the first week of January. In an episode reminiscent of Iraq, the men were held against their will while the criminals made a list of material demands from the government.
This act of terror, organised, orchestrated and implemented by the MDP, drew widespread condemnation from all areas of Maldives society as well as from foreign observers.
"The heroes of Maathoda have set a fine example for all of us. I call upon you to use their methods in order to achieve our goal of overthrowing the corrupt Gayoom regime." Zaki told the meeting attended by several hundred. "They have shown that force is the only language that is understood."
Zaki also implied he knew the facts about the horror felt by the captives and the general population: "Of course, innocents will be affected; but the means are justified by the ends."
Questioned by olhuala about these comments, a state attorney, on condition of anonymity, had this to say: "We know about these inflammatory comments; this is not the first instance. We are keeping a comprehensive record of everything these 'politicians' are saying. By themselves, these comments break the law, but our policy is to wait and build an exhaustive file of public comment and actions before we prosecute; as we did with MDP Chairperson Annie [Mohamed Nasheed]."
"We know what the MDP's tactics are: they want to create violence and bloodshed and then move to the background, letting others suffer the consequences. We have copies of the manual they are using to create public tension in an attempt to bring down the government."
"Some of their attempts are quite laughable. Perhaps they do not know that we can anticipate all of their actions. Zaki is trying to provoke a disproportionate response from the Police and from us, both by his words and by the actions he is calling for. We know that. But they ought to know we are always two steps ahead of them."
Some attendees at Saturday's meeting took Zaki's speech as a call for terrorising and abusing the public. "He pretty much asked us to go and shoot, bomb, kill and maim innocent members of the public; anything to create an uproar, to show the world that things are not right in this country." said MDP national council member Ali Faiz. "Although a lot of our younger membership cheered his speech, a lot of us think he went too far."
Other attendees had a different perspective. Saljam Mohamed Ziyad, a leading activist said: "We are united behind Zaki's speech. All of us agree that violence has to be used and some innocent casualties are inevitable. I know the decision has been made higher up and we shall see more incidents such as Maathoda. And even better."
The MDP has been unable to shake its violent tag from the time of its existence as an insurgent movement (up until July last year when it gained registration as a political party). It has pointedly failed to denounce violence and terror despite numerous calls, and opportunities, nationally and internationally.
Click to read full article