Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ANTANANARIVO1309
2006-11-21 13:57:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Antananarivo
Cable title:  

AMBASSADOR MCGEE MEETS WITH PRESIDENT SAMBI OF

Tags:  CN EAID KISL MA OPDC PGOV PINR PREL 
pdf how-to read a cable
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RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHAN #1309/01 3251357
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 211357Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3898
INFO RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANTANANARIVO 001309

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/E - MBEYZEROV
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CN EAID KISL MA OPDC PGOV PINR PREL
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MCGEE MEETS WITH PRESIDENT SAMBI OF
COMOROS

Summary: During a November 13 meeting with Ambassador McGee,
Comoran President Sambi discussed issues of security, the
upcoming gubernatorial elections, the U.S. presence in
Comoros and the need for U.S. assistance in economic and
infrastructure development. Sambi reaffirmed his country's
commitment to work with the USG in the global war against
terrorism and stated that he is eager to launch the meetings
of the U.S. Comoros Joint Committee on Bilateral Relations at
the earliest possible date. End Summary.

SECURITY AND ELECTIONS

Sambi requested the presence of 3 to 5 U.S. military
personnel to train the Army of National Development currently
being set up in Anjuoan for the upcoming elections and
beyond. He said the Army would be used to patrol coastal
waters in an attempt to stop illegal fishing by Chinese based
in Madagascar and other neighboring countries. However, the
primary mission of the Army would be election observation
during the gubernatorial elections scheduled for March 2007.
Sambi also mentioned the need for technical experts to assess
what could be done to help villages that are still suffering
from mudslides triggered by recent volcanic activity.
Ambassador explained that he would work with the U.S.
military to seek assistance for the Army of National
Development, but, if successful in receiving funds, we could
only provide election observation training for civil society
or political parties.

U.S. PRESENCE IN COMOROS

Sambi emphasized the importance of reestablishing an U.S.
presence in Comoros. He was pleased to see the Peace Corps
assessment team in his country, but stated that Comoros would
most benefit from the re-establishment of a full diplomatic
mission. Ambassador detailed current projects of the U.S.
military's civilian affairs teams to rehabilitate or build
schools and hospitals and the extensive work of our PAS at
the American Corner as examples of USG involvement in Comoros.

ECONOMIC AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

According to Sambi almost 85 percent of Comoros' USD 60
million annual budget goes toward the payment of government
salaries and overhead. One of his top priorities is to
develop large-scale projects to create jobs and increase
government revenues. While keen to develop the commercial
fishing and tourism industries, Sambi is also exploring the
idea of establishing an oil refinery to compete against those
located in the Seychelles. He thinks Comoros would be an
attractive and cost effective refining alternative for
companies operating on the African mainland.

Sambi said he understands that the country's lack of
infrastructure is a roadblock to foreign investment and has
socioeconomic repercussions by impeding his people's ability
to work. His top three development priorities are energy,
water and roads and he wondered what assistance the U.S.
could provide in helping him achieve these goals.
Sambi also requested assistance in launching a national
housing scheme to provide inexpensive housing for those who
can afford it and free housing for the extreme poor.

Comment: President Sambi is struggling to maintain the
fragile alliance of three small and extremely poor islands.
The gubernatorial elections in March 2007 will likely
determine if he can be successful in maintaining the Union.
To do so, he must reach an accommodation with President Bacar
of Anjuoan, but given Bacar's ambitions (septel),Sambi will
find this hard, if not impossible, to accomplish. His Army
of National Development is simply a military force to counter
and intimidate the military unit put together by Bacar on
Anjuoan.

Comment continued: While admirable, Sambi's plans for
economic development will require funding and commitments
that he does not have and are unlikely to be forthcoming.
Sambi, true to his well honed business instincts, remains
willing to seek funding from any available source. Our
present posture in Comoros will not assist this fledgling
government in its efforts to develop and maintain a moderate,
Islamic state. The upcoming U.S. - Comoros Joint Committee
on Bilateral Relations may well be our last chance to
influence the direction and stability of the Sambi
government.


ANTANANARI 00001309 002 OF 002



McGEE