COMOROS AWAITS SAMBI'S REACTION TO BACAR'S

UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000452

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

ADDIS FOR AMBASSADOR COURVILLE
DEPT FOR AF/E, AF/FO, INR/AA, AND DRL
DEPT FOR DS/IP/AF/E RMEDRANO
PARIS FOR D'ELIA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR CN
SUBJECT: COMOROS AWAITS SAMBI'S REACTION TO BACAR'S
CONDITIONS

REF: A) PRETORIA 1675 B) ANTANANARIVO 442 AND PREVIOUS


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The African Union's (AU) special envoy
to the Comoros Jose Francisco Madeira returned May 8 from a
second mission to Anjouan, bringing back with him
approximately 15 Union government officials and soldiers
who had been held hostage by "President" Bacar's forces.
Bacar told Madeira he is willing to step down, given three
conditions: that he (and not Union President Ahmed Abdallah
Sambi) gets to name the interim island president; that he
is not prosecuted; and that he is allowed to run for
reelection. President Sambi and the international
community are still deliberating over Bacar's demands.
Meanwhile, residents of Anjouan have launched a peaceful
strike calling for unity and expressing they are "fed up"
with Bacar. END SUMMARY.

AFRICAN UNION GETS BACAR TO RESPOND
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2. (U) According to radio reports in Moroni, the AU issued
a communiquQ May 7 saying the President of the AU
Commission considers the use of force in Comoros
unacceptable. It appealed for all parties to respect the
Constitution of the Union and the authority of the central
government and asked the Union Government not to take any
action that may lead to the use of force.

3. (U) The AU's special envoy to the Comoros Jose Francisco
Madeira returned May 8 from a second mission to Anjouan.
He reportedly brought back approximately 15 Union
government officials and soldiers who had been held hostage
by Bacar. Post is still trying to confirm whether any
hostages remain, but security contacts report all military
and gendarme prisoners have been released and are in good
condition.

4. (SBU) During their talks, Bacar told Madeira he was
willing to step down, given three conditions: that he
(Bacar and not Union President Sambi) gets to name the
interim island president; that he is not prosecuted; and
that he is allowed to run for reelection. President Sambi
and the international community are still deliberating over
Bacar's demands; there has been no reaction yet. Union
Government officials believe the negotiations are going
well and hope to find a solution quickly. Madeira will
likely return to Anjouan May 10, possibly carrying Sambi's
answer.

STRIKES IN ANJOUAN AMONG RESIDENTS "FED UP" WITH BACAR
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5. (U) Although the situation in Anjouan is relatively
calm, an unknown number of residents have launched a
general strike calling for unity and expressing they are
"fed up" with Bacar. Markets are closed. Employees of the
gasoline depot, located in a village pitted against Bacar,
are on strike, causing a general fuel shortage. The
airport is selectively open, and telephone lines are still
down.


6. (SBU) COMMENT: Union President Sambi recently announced
over the radio the Union Government "will do anything" to
bring a peaceful resolution to the conflict with Anjouan.
However, Post has a difficult time imagining him accepting
Bacar's demands - unless the AU sends enough observers
(and possibly security forces) to Anjouan June 10 to
prevent Bacar from stealing the election. Bacar is
reportedly looking to choose an interim president from
among his government or court of appeals to help him keep
his grip on the island in the meantime. END COMMENT.

MCGEE