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