'227 Statement by [ RAJYA SABHA ] Prime Minister 228 SHRI' VISHVJIT
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'227 Statement by [ RAJYA SABHA ] Prime Minister 228 STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER Recent deveplonments in Maldives SHRI' VISHVJIT P. SINGH THE PRIME MINISTER (SHRI RAJIV (Maharashtra): |Mr. Subramanian Swamy, GANDHI): Madam Deputy Chairman. where is Mr. Jethmalani today. ' SHRI JASWANT SINGH (Rajas-than): SHRI V. GOPALSAMY (Tamil Can we have copies? Nadu): On a point of order. Mem bers of Parliament should not wear THE DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: It is not a very long statement. It does not matter. badges. It is against the rules. Some of the Members______Okay, he has re SHRI RAJIV GANDHI; We have some moved the Congress badge. problems with the copies because I though I should come to the House at the earliest occasion. If you want to wait for the copies, 1 am willing to delay the ^statement till the copies are ready and .given to you: I leave it to the House . (Interruptions)... We have only just completed the statement because the information has only just come in. I thought I would come straight to the House and let you have it... (Interruptions).. SHRI ALADI ARUNA alias V. ARUNACHALAM (Tamil Nadu); It is quite an unconvincing reply... (Interruptions) ... SHRI V. GOPALASAMY (Tamil Nadu): By now you could have given the copies. SHRI SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY: You are giving us spot news! SHRI RAJIV GANDHI: Madam Deputy Chairman, I rise to apprise the House about recent developments in the Maldives. In the morn, ing yesterday, we received reports that the capital of out friendly neighbour, the Maldives, was under attack from a group of mercenaries apparently recruited by disgruntled, expatriate Maldvian citizens. These mercenaries arrived by ship. After landing jn the capital, Male, at about tour in the morning yesterday, they quickly captured some key Govern- 229 Statement by [ 4 NOV. 1988 ] Prime Minister 230 ment buildings, including the radio station, House about the background of our action in the TV station and the cum-mumcations support of the democratically elected centre. They also sui, rounded the Presidential government of a friendly neighbouring Palace. They were reported to have taken country. hostage one senior Government Minister and a large number of civilians. The objctive of I am proud to report that our troops have the operation, clearly, was to overthrow the carried out their assigned task in an exemplary democratically elected Government of fashion in the highest traditions of the Indian Maldives. Armed Forces. They successfully completed their major mission by around 2.30 this [Mr Chairman in the Chair.] morning. The safety of the President and senior members of his government was ensured. The operation have been carried out President Gayoom managed to elude the in an extremely tight time frame without a attackers and took refuge in an area outside single Indian casualty till now. More troops the Presidential Palace. Shortly thereafter we have landed in the Maldives during the early received a formal appeal for urgent military hours of this morning to ensure the assistance to put down this plot. This request availability of an adequate force to meet any was repeated by Maldivian emissaris in conti-gency. Some armed rebels have been Colombo arid New York. According to captured. Mopping up operations are reports that we were receiving at regular inter- continuing. We would like to withdraw our vals, the situation was critical. troops at the earliest. We are in touch with President Gayoom and hope that the Maldives is a peaceful country, with no withdrawal can begin today. Armed Forces except a small force to maintain law and order. President Gayoom is Presidet Gayoom telephoned me early this the democratically elected and popular morning and expressed his deep appreciation President of this friendly neighbour of ours. of our prompt and timely assistance. We are He was re-elected for a third term in office as happy to have been of assistance to the recently as September 23, 1988, securing over friendly people of the Maldives, with whom 95 per cent of the votes polled. Maldives is we have always enjoyed close and warm ties. also one of our closest and friendliest The attempt to spread terror and undermine neighbours. It appealed to us in desperation in peace and stability in our region has been its grave hour of need. After carefully, frustrated. II am sure the House would wish to considering this appeal, we felt that we must join me in conveying the country's wishes and respond positively and go to the aid of a the people good wishes and support to friendly neighbour facing a threat to its President Gayoom and the people of the Mal- sovereignty and its democratic order. dives. Accordingly, two IAF aircraft with about SHRI ALADI ARUNA alias V. 300 paratroopers of the Indian Army were ARUNCHALAM; This is not a case of despatched yesterday evening on a Bangladesh. reconnaissance mission with carefully SHRI RAJIV GANDHI; We extend to our preplanned options. Later last night, I briefed Armed Forces our appreciation and warmest leaders of the Opposition of the action taken. I am glad to inform the House that troops congratulations. applause from the successfully landed near Male. I take this Opposition at least in our Armed Forces. This opportunity to inform the was an operation involving coordi- 231 Statement by [RAJYA SABHA] Prime Minister 232 [Shri Rajiv Gandhi] nation between all lar developments in the SAARC three wings of the Services. The country is 'region in general? proud of the speed and efficiency with which Thank you. the operation was planned and executed. SHRI JASWANT SINGH: Mr. Chairman, Mr. Chairman, Sir, our response to Sir, I do lend my voice to the hon. Prime developments in the Maldivies is a clear Minister when it comes to conveying our manifestation of our commitment to the good wishes to the people of Maldives and promotion of peace and stability in our region. commending the action of the Indian Armed It is in keeping with our belief that countries Forces. But I have some clarifications to seek in the region can resolve their problems in a and I would request the hon. Prime Minister spirit of friendship and cooperation free of to enlighten us about them. outside influences. We have kept in., touch There are reports, Sir, that a request for with a number of friendly countries on these assistance was made by President Gayoom to developments. I am happy that the response to India and to the United States of America and at our constructive approach, both in our ~ the process of the request from President neighbourhood and elsewhere. has been Gayoom, India held consultations with the positive and indeed heartening. Government of the United States of America and at their suggestion sent troops to Maldives. Thank you. Sir. I would be grateful if the hon. Prime Minister would clarify whether any consultation were PROF. CHANDRESH P. THAKUR held with the Government of the U.S.S.R. and (Bihar): Mr. Chairman, Maldives is our what their response or advice was to us. friendly neighbour, and it is a member of the Secondly, there is also a question of intelligence SAARC group of countries. We were in this entire development. I would request the expecting the President of that country to hon. Frime Minister to clai'ify. Is it correct that make a visit some time early this month. I President Gayoom was to visit India on 1st of would like two three clarifications in this November and that at the last minutes he regard on the basis of the statement made by cancelled-1 his projected visit to this country? the Prime Minister. Why was this visit cancelled? And if our Ambassador in Maldives is present in Delhi Are the developments in Maldives a part of when this incident happened in Maldives, that is any larger conspiracy to destabilise the south- not a very re-assuring sign. What was our eastern region and encircle India with centres intelligence about the possibility of these of tension? developments in Maldives? I would request the hon. Prime Minister to elaborate on this. Secondly according to the press report, an Thirdly, what are the provisions in the aircraft carrier is, perhaps, moving towardg SAARC Charter for such a contingency, Maldives. Do we know the identity of the particularly about prior consultations when aircraft carrier? If We know has any contact such contingencies arise? If no prior with the concerned country been established consultationT were held with other SAARC by the Government of India? members keeping in -mind that a SAARC Thirdly, are the SAARC countries having meeting is due in early December, have any any constructive and coordinated approach consultations with other SAARC members towards this development in particular and been held now? simi- 233 Statement by [ 4 NOV. 1988 ] Prime Minister 234 Fourthly it is in the appreciation of the were told by the Prime Government of India that the Prime Minister 1.00 P.M. Minister yesterday when has said that he would wish to withdraw the we met him late in the troops today. He was good enough to inform night and also now that armed mer us that major task has been completed. Is cenaries captured some installations there a fixed time-frame of withdrawal today and also took over some people as or1 it is _going to dependent upon other hostages and the President escaped factors? their operations. Sir, the Govern ment of India has taken the second I have a question to seek on the option, the second alternative. I have identity of the group of these people. The nothing to comment on these alter official spokesman of the Government of natives.