NEW DELHI : India should stop providing arms and defence equipment to the Maldives, leaders of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) said at a press conference on Thursday.

"We are very disappointed with India [on this score]," Mohammed Latheef, MDP founder, stressed at the Foreign Correspondents Club.

According to him, eight per cent of the Maldives GDP was being spent on defence to prop up an "autocrat" — a reference to President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom — who has been in power for the last 28 years. Mohamed Shihab, an MDP Member of Parliament, wanted to know against whom these weapons and defence equipment were to be used.

Mr. Shihab expressed satisfaction that MDP Chairman Mohamed Rasheed, who had been under house arrest in Male, was released on Thursday.

Pointing out there had been four rounds of talks with the Maldivian Government, mediated by British diplomats; Mr. Shihab stated that formal discussions could now begin with Mr. Rasheed's release.

Though the MDP was pleased with the involvement of the British, Mr. Latheef felt that India too should be involved in the process at some time. "We would feel comfortable if India gets involved at some stage."

While admitting that there had been some improvement in the situation in their country, the MDP leadership remained deeply suspicious of the intentions and motives of President Gayoom.

Mr. Latheef argued that President Gayoom's "roadmap for democratic reform" looked good on paper, but amounted to little on the ground.

According to him, the Maldives should have a free and fair election as soon as possible.

In Mr. Shihab's view, it would be better if the country could have Presidential elections sometime in the middle of 2007 rather than waiting for 2008 as promised by Mr. Gayoom.

The MDP leaders also had concerns that the President might not stick to his 2008 promise.

"Proper" international and domestic pressure would make Mr. Gayoom see reason, they maintained.

Many MDP activists continued to be harassed and detained by the authorities in the Maldives, they added.

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