Senior U.S. State Department Official Visits Maldives July 2

Colombo, July 3, 2008:  Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Evan Feigenbaum visited Maldives July 2 as part of the U.S. Government’s continuing consultations with the Government of the Republic of Maldives.  During his visit, Feigenbaum met with President Gayoom and members of his government, including Attorney General Azima Shakoor, Minister of Legal Reform, Information and Arts Mohamed Nasheed, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Hamid.  He also met with members of the Majlis and representatives of other political parties.

Feigenbaum welcomed the opportunity to discuss Maldives’ new constitution and plans to hold elections in the coming months, saying “This is an important moment for Maldives as it moves down a democratic path.”  He added:  “The United States, as a long time friend of Maldives, is following these developments closely.  We believe that a vibrant democratic system is the only way to unlock the country’s full potential.  And the only way to get there is to ensure that all of the country’s citizens have a voice in its future.” 

Feigenbaum also visited Sri Lanka June 30 and July 1, where he met with senior Government of Sri Lanka officials, as well as other political party leaders. 

Dr. Feigenbaum has principal responsibility in the Department of State’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs for India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Maldives.  He was previously the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Central Asia and served for five years as a member of the Secretary of State’s policy planning staff, where he had principal responsibility for East Asia and the Pacific.