UN tsunami envoy Bill Clinton welcomes political reform progress in the Maldives

The Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Tsunami Recovery, former United States President Bill Clinton, today welcomed the release of an opposition leader in the Maldives and the commitment by the archipelago’s Government to undertake further political reform as it rebuilds in the wake of the disaster.

Mr. Clinton said he had held constructive discussions with Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom during his recent visit to New York for the annual high-level debate of the General Assembly.

“I welcome recent progress in the political reform process in the Maldives, and the acknowledgement by officials that ‘building back better’ after the tsunami should include a commitment to transparency, political dialogue and good governance,” he said in a statement.

Mr. Clinton added he was “encouraged” by the recent decision to release Maldivian Democratic Party Chairperson Mohamed Nasheed from detention.

“President Gayoom assured me that the reform process will continue, and I offer my support in the weeks and months to come.”