COMORAN PRESIDENT SAMBI, "I WILL END ANJOUAN CRISIS OR

UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 001056 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU - AMBASSADOR COURVILLE DEPT FOR AF/E AND AF/FO PARIS FOR D'ELIA PRETORIA FOR POLCOUNS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM MOPS EAID PHUM CN SUBJECT: COMORAN PRESIDENT SAMBI, "I WILL END ANJOUAN CRISIS OR RESIGN" REF: A) Neubert/USAU Addis Ababa Email 10/12/07 B) ANTAN 1051 ¶1. (U) This message includes an Action Request, see para 5. ¶2. (SBU) Celebrating the end of Ramadan October 13, Union of the Comoros President Ahmed Sambi made a public declaration that he would resolve the ongoing Anjouan crisis or resign. Reflecting on public opinion that he had accomplished little since his inauguration in May, 2006, Sambi acknowledged he was disappointed with his performance. He claimed progress on obtaining debt forgiveness for the impoverished Comoros, noting he convinced French President Sarkozy to seek relief and was pushing for the same with the United States (REF B). ¶3. (SBU) President Sambi welcomed the African Union (AU) decision to apply sanctions to Anjouan in an attempt to force Colonel Mohamed Bacar from power. He added that if this strategy is not successful in the near future, he will send the Union Army of National Development to Anjouan. Post is aware that Sambi recently received three zodiac boats from Morocco for this purpose. There are also rumors in Moroni that a "fishing vessel donated by Iran" would soon arrive, which could potentially be used to shuttle troops to Anjouan. Unconfirmed reports indicate "containers filled with weapons" have been unloaded at the Presidential Palace in Moroni (Note: Most likely AK-47s. End Note). ¶4. (SBU) In Anjouan, Colonel Bacar remains defiant, insisting on inter-Comoran negotiations. He publicly criticized the AU for its decision to apply sanctions. Civil society contacts in Anjouan report no evidence or rumor that Bacar is planning to concede to AU or Union Government pressure. Contacts also report Bacar has taken delivery of containers of weapons. Post has no information on the origin of the weapons or the country from which they were shipped. (Note: Also probably AK-47s. End Note). ¶5. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: Post asks the Department Spokesman to publicly commend the AU decision to apply sanctions on Anjouan to peacefully resolve the crisis. The Statement should also reiterate the United States' support for the democratically-elected President of the Union of the Comoros, Ahmed Sambi. President Sambi personally asked the Ambassador for such a public statement October ¶10. END ACTION REQUEST. NEUBERT