Maldives-Kosovo recognition case: Foreign Minister wants to sue opposition leader
Maldives Foreign minister Ahmed Shaheed has announced he will sue the leader of the Islamic Democratic Party for allegations that he accepted a US$2 million bribe to recognise Kosovan independence.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Umar Naseer alleged in March that government officials, including Shaheed, accepted the bribe from Behgjet Pacolli, head of the opposition New Kosovo Alliance (NKA).
Both Shaheed and Ibrahim Makolli, the vice-president of the NKA, have denied the allegations.
"I don't want to send Umar to jail but I want my pound of flesh," said Shaheed.
He added that as parliament had suspended their enquiry into the allegations last week and police investigations were ongoing, he was not "getting any relief" on the case.
Parliament put their investigation on hold after President Mohamed Nasheed failed to produce two "crucial" pieces of evidence, according to MP Abdulla Yamin, leader of opposition party, People's Alliance.
A statement from the president's office refuted the claim, saying parliament had made no such request.
If the case reaches court, said Shaheed, the burden of proof will be on Umar.
When asked for his response, Umar replied in a text message to Minivan News today: "My comment is I will call a spade and spade!"
It has been alleged that the bribe was offered as Pacolli wished to take credit for the Maldives' recognition of Kosovo to boost his popularity among voters.
Kosovo, a predominantly Muslim country, declared its independence from Serbia last year, but backed by Russia, Serbia claimed the move was illegal.
The country's declaration of independence was controversial with many countries fearing it would serve as a precedent for other contested territories in Europe and parts of the former Soviet Union.
In March, Shaheed said it was "undeniable" that Pacolli had paid a lot of attention to the Maldives and the pair had met.
But, responding to Pacolli's claims, he said, "All politicians would like to take credit for the good things that happen to their countries."
From the time the allegations first surfaced, Shaheed has maintained that the Maldives decided to recognise Kosovo as a sovereign state on the advice of two of the country's allies, the UK and the US, to ensure stability in Eastern Europe.
Since recognising Kosovo in February, both the American and British governments have thanked the foreign minister for his decision.
