MADAGASCAR RESPONSE TO U.S. STATEMENT ON IRAN

UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000574 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR NEA/IR and AF/E E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV IR MA SUBJECT: MADAGASCAR RESPONSE TO U.S. STATEMENT ON IRAN REF: STATE 87682 ¶1. (SBU) The Ambassador spoke to the President of Madagascar Marc Ravalomanana on June 1 to deliver Reftel talking points on the U.S. statement on Iran. Ravalomanana expressed support for the U.S. action and concern regarding Iranian pursuit of nuclear weapons. He added he would instruct his Foreign Minister to issue a statement. ¶2. (SBU) Separately, the DCM made the same points in person to Foreign Minister Marcel Ranjeva. In response, Ranjeva reiterated Malagasy support for the U.S. position regarding Iran, noting that he had expressed this clearly in the recent past when the Speaker of the National Assembly had made an unauthorized visit to Tehran. Ranjeva noted that the GOM had expressed public opprobrium of Iran's nuclear activities at that time. Ranjeva also said he would put the issue on the agenda for the next cabinet meeting, given the Ambassador's discussion with the President. ¶3. (U) Post will push the GOM for the promised statement and report details when possible. MCGEE