Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ANTANANARIVO1297
2006-11-18 10:32:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Antananarivo
Cable title:
FORMER GENERAL ATTEMPTS "COUP" ACTION
how-toVZCZCXRO3049 OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHAN #1297 3221032 ZNR UUUUU ZZH ZZK O 181032Z NOV 06 ZFF4 FM AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3881 INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PRIORITY RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 0728 RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 001297
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/FO, AF/E, INR/AA, DRL
FOR DS/IP/AF AKORT
FOR DS/DSS/ITA DROTHSTEIN
PORT LOUIS FOR DUTY OFFICER
PARIS FOR D'ELIA
C O R R E C T E D COPY (DOWNGRADE OF PRECEDENCE)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM PINR ASEC CASC MA
SUBJECT: FORMER GENERAL ATTEMPTS "COUP" ACTION
REF: SIBLEY - OPS CENTER CONFERENCE CALL 11/18, 0915 LCL
UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 001297
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/FO, AF/E, INR/AA, DRL
FOR DS/IP/AF AKORT
FOR DS/DSS/ITA DROTHSTEIN
PORT LOUIS FOR DUTY OFFICER
PARIS FOR D'ELIA
C O R R E C T E D COPY (DOWNGRADE OF PRECEDENCE)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM PINR ASEC CASC MA
SUBJECT: FORMER GENERAL ATTEMPTS "COUP" ACTION
REF: SIBLEY - OPS CENTER CONFERENCE CALL 11/18, 0915 LCL
1. (SBU) Former Army General Andrianafidisoa, also known as General
Fidy, and 12 to 20 supporters made an
unsuccessful attempt at a military coup from November 17 to 18 in
Madagascar's capital of Antananarivo. Early November 17, General
Fidy and supporters -- officers, enlisted, and militia known as
"reservists" -- went to the Ministry of Defense to speak with the
Acting Minister of Defense. Fidy delivered a letter and distributed
fliers indicating his intention to install a military directorate.
He was turned away and led his supporters to the Ivato Air Force
Base near the civilian airport.
2. (SBU) The night of November 17 into November 18, Fidy and
supporters made their way into the base with virtually no resistance
and took one hostage and weapons. At about 0400 November 18, shots
were exchanged with one solider reported dead. Thereafter, Fidy and
GOM General Raonenantsoamampianina, Head of the Army General Staff,
reportedly began "negotiations." Fidy soon departed, leaving his
lieutenant to continue discussions. Demands are unknown, but press
reports November 18 say Fidy intended to install a military
government, dissolve parliament and write a new constitution. Fidy
is reportedly at large. Unconfirmed reports indicate stolen weapons
were returned, hostages were released, and Fidy supporters vacated
the base.
3. (SBU) Embassy Antananarivo has attempted to contact all senior
government officials up to the President, as of 1230 November 18.
None are available. As of 1230, all government public statements
appear to be embargoed. PAS contacts say a statement is coming
"soon." President Ravalomanana is in Mahajanga campaigning, but has
delayed his appearance at a morning rally.
4. (SBU) Rumors in Antananarivo and provinces are rampant, in part
thanks to Fidy's flier, which "thanks God for President
Ravalomanana's government being down" and claims the military is now
in charge. Local newspapers and radio are featuring this story front
and center. In the absence of a GOM statement, the population is
confused.
5. (SBU) The Minister of Interior is scheduled to speak in a PAS
pre-election radio program November 18. The Minister's chief of
cabinet confirmed the radio address would go ahead as scheduled.
EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE MEETS
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
6. (SBU) Ambassador convened an Emergency Action Committee (EAC)
meeting at 1045 to discuss the situation. The EAC decided not to
issue a warden message at this time because the situation in the
city was calm, with the population going about its Saturday morning
shopping in a normal fashion with no evidence of enhanced security
and because the existing warden message already warned American
citizens to exercise vigilance and avoid crowds in the run-up to
scheduled elections.
BIO NOTES
- - - - -
7. (SBU) Army General Andrianafidisoa was the key military officer
who helped Ravalomanana take control of the five remaining provinces
outside Antananarivo during the 2002 crisis. Appointed and
subsequently fired by President Ravalomanana from the positions of
Chairman of the Board of SECREN (the shipyard in Diego) and Director
General of OMNIS (the government's petroleum and mining agency),he
has since expressed his hate for the President. His candidacy for
the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for December 3 was
revoked for failure to pay the deposit.
8. (SBU) COMMENT: General Fidy is retired and has no current
official position in the GOM; however, he is respected and deferred
to as "General" by military and civilians alike. In this way, he was
able to access the base simply by walking through the front door.
Post is disappointed the GOM has not made a public statement, which
allows a wide variety of rumors to circulate freely. Post will
continue to monitor the situation and report updates as the
situation clarifies. END COMMENT.
MCGEE
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/FO, AF/E, INR/AA, DRL
FOR DS/IP/AF AKORT
FOR DS/DSS/ITA DROTHSTEIN
PORT LOUIS FOR DUTY OFFICER
PARIS FOR D'ELIA
C O R R E C T E D COPY (DOWNGRADE OF PRECEDENCE)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM PINR ASEC CASC MA
SUBJECT: FORMER GENERAL ATTEMPTS "COUP" ACTION
REF: SIBLEY - OPS CENTER CONFERENCE CALL 11/18, 0915 LCL
1. (SBU) Former Army General Andrianafidisoa, also known as General
Fidy, and 12 to 20 supporters made an
unsuccessful attempt at a military coup from November 17 to 18 in
Madagascar's capital of Antananarivo. Early November 17, General
Fidy and supporters -- officers, enlisted, and militia known as
"reservists" -- went to the Ministry of Defense to speak with the
Acting Minister of Defense. Fidy delivered a letter and distributed
fliers indicating his intention to install a military directorate.
He was turned away and led his supporters to the Ivato Air Force
Base near the civilian airport.
2. (SBU) The night of November 17 into November 18, Fidy and
supporters made their way into the base with virtually no resistance
and took one hostage and weapons. At about 0400 November 18, shots
were exchanged with one solider reported dead. Thereafter, Fidy and
GOM General Raonenantsoamampianina, Head of the Army General Staff,
reportedly began "negotiations." Fidy soon departed, leaving his
lieutenant to continue discussions. Demands are unknown, but press
reports November 18 say Fidy intended to install a military
government, dissolve parliament and write a new constitution. Fidy
is reportedly at large. Unconfirmed reports indicate stolen weapons
were returned, hostages were released, and Fidy supporters vacated
the base.
3. (SBU) Embassy Antananarivo has attempted to contact all senior
government officials up to the President, as of 1230 November 18.
None are available. As of 1230, all government public statements
appear to be embargoed. PAS contacts say a statement is coming
"soon." President Ravalomanana is in Mahajanga campaigning, but has
delayed his appearance at a morning rally.
4. (SBU) Rumors in Antananarivo and provinces are rampant, in part
thanks to Fidy's flier, which "thanks God for President
Ravalomanana's government being down" and claims the military is now
in charge. Local newspapers and radio are featuring this story front
and center. In the absence of a GOM statement, the population is
confused.
5. (SBU) The Minister of Interior is scheduled to speak in a PAS
pre-election radio program November 18. The Minister's chief of
cabinet confirmed the radio address would go ahead as scheduled.
EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE MEETS
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
6. (SBU) Ambassador convened an Emergency Action Committee (EAC)
meeting at 1045 to discuss the situation. The EAC decided not to
issue a warden message at this time because the situation in the
city was calm, with the population going about its Saturday morning
shopping in a normal fashion with no evidence of enhanced security
and because the existing warden message already warned American
citizens to exercise vigilance and avoid crowds in the run-up to
scheduled elections.
BIO NOTES
- - - - -
7. (SBU) Army General Andrianafidisoa was the key military officer
who helped Ravalomanana take control of the five remaining provinces
outside Antananarivo during the 2002 crisis. Appointed and
subsequently fired by President Ravalomanana from the positions of
Chairman of the Board of SECREN (the shipyard in Diego) and Director
General of OMNIS (the government's petroleum and mining agency),he
has since expressed his hate for the President. His candidacy for
the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for December 3 was
revoked for failure to pay the deposit.
8. (SBU) COMMENT: General Fidy is retired and has no current
official position in the GOM; however, he is respected and deferred
to as "General" by military and civilians alike. In this way, he was
able to access the base simply by walking through the front door.
Post is disappointed the GOM has not made a public statement, which
allows a wide variety of rumors to circulate freely. Post will
continue to monitor the situation and report updates as the
situation clarifies. END COMMENT.
MCGEE