CONCERNED PRESIDENT DENIES POWER GRAB

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANTANANARIVO 000252 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/E DEPT PASS TO USAID E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/13/2017 TAGS: PGOV PTER ASEC PREL FR MA EAID SENV KDEM SUBJECT: CONCERNED PRESIDENT DENIES POWER GRAB REF: ANTANANARIVO 232 Classified By: AMBASSADOR JAMES D. MCGEE FOR REASONS 1.4 B AND D ¶1. (C) President Ravalomanana summoned Ambassador McGee to his office on the morning of March 9 to address a number of issues. First, the President conveyed his concern at seeing Somalis and Pakistanis on the northern coast of Madagascar (location still being determined) during a recent vacation. Claiming "they should not be there," he requested U.S. intelligence experts to work with Malagasy officials in looking into the situation. Post notes the openly religious President is known for his sometimes biased views against non-Christians. ¶2. (C) President Ravalomanana is aware of the displeasure caused by the upcoming constitutional referendum (reftel). He characteristically believes the French are upset that the recently published proposed changes will cause them to lose control of the country. The President is convinced the French are behind the distribution of professional-looking fliers saying, "Dictatorship at the Head of State," on the street. Denying a power-grab, Ravalomanana was adamant that, "I am not like other leaders in Africa trying to be president for life. I just want to make this country run efficiently." Although this issue was not raised in the meeting, Post notes the same day a minor political party filed a lawsuit against the government at the High Constitutional Court for violating the electoral code requirement to give at least 90 days of notice before holding a constititional referendum. ¶3. (C) In light of recent flooding in Madagascar, the President requested technical equipment and expertise, particularly for bridge building. Citing the urgency to keep the country connected, the Government of Madagascar (GOM) is willing to pay for such assistance. ¶4. (C) The President agreed to sign the agrement for the incoming U.S. Ambassador to Madagascar, but only after expressing his clear preference for a replacement with a military background. ¶5. (C) Ravalomanana told the Ambassador to expect wholesale changes within the Ministry of Defense in the coming month. His plans to promote younger military officers are also expected to irk the French, who have spent a considerable amount of money training upper-echelon officers. ¶6. (C) COMMENT: Although the majority of Malagasy were able to look past minor procedural irregularities in the December 2006 presidential election, the President may get in hot water this time around for clearly violating the 90-day notice requirement for the constitutional referendum. The GOM could easily avoid this accusation by extending the review period beyond the less than 60 days currently allowed for review and consideration. But in his characteristically hasty decision-making style, President Ravalomanana has not allowed for the "process" and "perception" required outside of the boardroom in the world of politics. END COMMENT. McGEE