Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ANTANANARIVO417
2007-04-30 14:07:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Antananarivo
Cable title:
Opposition Leaders Arrested; Merina Flee Tulear
how-toVZCZCXRO1278 OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHAN #0417 1201407 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 301407Z APR 07 FM AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4710 INFO RUCNSAD/SADC COLLECTIVE RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0888
UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000417
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E, AF/FO, INR/AA, AND DRL
DEPT FOR DS/IP/AF CKOLLMAR
PARIS FOR D'ELIA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM PHUM ASEC MA
SUBJECT: Opposition Leaders Arrested; Merina Flee Tulear
REF: ANTANANARIVO 414
UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000417
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E, AF/FO, INR/AA, AND DRL
DEPT FOR DS/IP/AF CKOLLMAR
PARIS FOR D'ELIA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM PHUM ASEC MA
SUBJECT: Opposition Leaders Arrested; Merina Flee Tulear
REF: ANTANANARIVO 414
1. (SBU) Police in Tulear arrested four opposition leaders for
allegedly leading the demonstrations which turned violent in the
city April 27 (reftel): Senator Robert Razaka; National Assembly
Deputy Dimby Benaria; Luc Vital, Chairman of the Tulear Communal
Council; and Tsimarivo Railala. The four are reportedly charged
with inciting violence and disturbing public order. An additional
unnamed businessman who was wanted by police for his involvement in
the riots turned himself in April 30. At present Tulear is calm
with no demonstrations and other coastal cities of Tamatave,
Majunga, and Diego Suarez are quiet, although rumors are spreading
that demonstrations are planned.
Highlanders Seek Army Protection, Flee Tulear
--------------
2. (SBU) Military sources reported that over 100 "Merina" sought
refuge over the weekend at the military base in Tulear after mob
attacks targeted them (reftel). The Merina are highland people from
the Antananarivo area; President Ravalomanana and a large proportion
of GOM officials are Merina. Five Merina families are reported to
have already fled Tulear for Antananarivo in two buses and a truck.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: Tension between the coastal peoples (known as
"cotiers") and highlanders (most prominently the Merina) have
existed since before colonial times when the Merina established
dominance over the island. That said, even during the 2002
governance crisis, the differences between Merina and coastal
peoples were more often frustrations to be exploited for political
purposes than any kind of genuine ethnic hatred. Most Malagasy are
ambivalent about ethnic differences, inter-marry, speak the same
language, and travel or reside throughout the country. Nonetheless,
these ethnic fault lines could become drawn more sharply if the
government, perceived as Merina-dominated, does not address several
contentious coastal issues effectively. This would include the
problem of power supply to cities on the coast and the handling of
the corruption trial of Roland Ratsiraka, the mayor of the port city
of Tamatave. END COMMENT.
MCGEE
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E, AF/FO, INR/AA, AND DRL
DEPT FOR DS/IP/AF CKOLLMAR
PARIS FOR D'ELIA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM PHUM ASEC MA
SUBJECT: Opposition Leaders Arrested; Merina Flee Tulear
REF: ANTANANARIVO 414
1. (SBU) Police in Tulear arrested four opposition leaders for
allegedly leading the demonstrations which turned violent in the
city April 27 (reftel): Senator Robert Razaka; National Assembly
Deputy Dimby Benaria; Luc Vital, Chairman of the Tulear Communal
Council; and Tsimarivo Railala. The four are reportedly charged
with inciting violence and disturbing public order. An additional
unnamed businessman who was wanted by police for his involvement in
the riots turned himself in April 30. At present Tulear is calm
with no demonstrations and other coastal cities of Tamatave,
Majunga, and Diego Suarez are quiet, although rumors are spreading
that demonstrations are planned.
Highlanders Seek Army Protection, Flee Tulear
--------------
2. (SBU) Military sources reported that over 100 "Merina" sought
refuge over the weekend at the military base in Tulear after mob
attacks targeted them (reftel). The Merina are highland people from
the Antananarivo area; President Ravalomanana and a large proportion
of GOM officials are Merina. Five Merina families are reported to
have already fled Tulear for Antananarivo in two buses and a truck.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: Tension between the coastal peoples (known as
"cotiers") and highlanders (most prominently the Merina) have
existed since before colonial times when the Merina established
dominance over the island. That said, even during the 2002
governance crisis, the differences between Merina and coastal
peoples were more often frustrations to be exploited for political
purposes than any kind of genuine ethnic hatred. Most Malagasy are
ambivalent about ethnic differences, inter-marry, speak the same
language, and travel or reside throughout the country. Nonetheless,
these ethnic fault lines could become drawn more sharply if the
government, perceived as Merina-dominated, does not address several
contentious coastal issues effectively. This would include the
problem of power supply to cities on the coast and the handling of
the corruption trial of Roland Ratsiraka, the mayor of the port city
of Tamatave. END COMMENT.
MCGEE