U.S. DELEGATION CONGRATULATES MADAGASCAR'S PRESIDENT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANTANANARIVO 000060

SIPDIS

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DEPT FOR AF/E, AF/FO, INR/AA, AND DRL
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO PEACE CORPS FOR DIRECTOR TSCHETTER AND
PRESIDENTIAL MALARIA INITIATIVE FOR COORDINATOR ZIEMER
PARIS FOR D'ELIA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR MA CN
SUBJECT: U.S. DELEGATION CONGRATULATES MADAGASCAR'S PRESIDENT

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REFTEL: ANTANANARIVO 1289


1. (U) SUMMARY: A Presidential Delegation led by Secretary of
Agriculture Mike Johanns attended the inauguration of President Marc
Ravalomanana's second term and held a number of meetings on the
sidelines. Applauding Ravalomanana's progressive leadership style,
the delegation extended its congratulations and reiterated the USG's
continued support for the Government of Madagascar's (GOM) ambitious
Madagascar Action Plan (MAP) for development (reftel). MAP goals
outlined in the President's inaugural address included government
decentralization, gender equality, increased private investment, and
continued partnership with the international community. END
SUMMARY.


2. (U) A Presidential Delegation led by Secretary of Agriculture
Johanns and comprised of Peace Corps Director Ronald Tschetter,
Coordinator for the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) Rear
Admiral Timothy Ziemer, and Ambassador James McGee visited
Antananarivo January 18 to 19 to attend the inaugural ceremonies for
President Ravalomanana's second term.


3. (U) The delegation's visit opened with a dinner hosted by the
Ambassador January 18 with GOM officials including the Ministers of
Health, Agriculture and Education, representatives of
nongovernmental organizations (NGOs),U.S. business representatives,
and members of the diplomatic community. A number of meetings took
place the following morning preceding the inaugural activities.
Secretary Johanns met with French Minister of Agriculture Dominique

SIPDIS
Bussereau to discuss agricultural issues (septel). Admiral Ziemer
discussed opportunities for future collaboration in the PMI with
USAID staff and over 30 implementing partners, including GOM
officials. Tschetter met with Peace Corps staff and half a dozen
Peace Corps Volunteers.


4. (U) A festive atmosphere marked the inaugural celebration. For
the first time in Malagasy history, the President gave his inaugural
address in Malagasy, French, and English. After a politically
tumultuous campaign period, the President invited opposition parties
and those who did not vote for him to partner in developing
Madagascar. In a speech heavily laden with business terminology,
President Ravalomanana's message centered on transforming the
country over the next five years based on the "bold and aggressive"
MAP. The goal would be clear, he said: "Results, results, results."
Emphasizing that leadership must emerge "from the bottom up," the
President laid out plans to continue the trend of decentralization,
including the empowerment and training of village leaders. Calling
gender equity a "top priority for my Government," Ravalomanana
called on women young and old to assume positions of responsibility
in government, politics and business. He warned, "I say to you men
who might be blocking the progress of women, please get out of the
way!" He vowed to continue making Madagascar a more
business-friendly environment. The President thanked international
donors and invited the international community to do even more in
partnering with Madagascar. In conclusion, Ravalomanana vowed to
hold himself accountable to make his second term even better than
the first.


5. (U) Following the inaugural ceremony, Comoran President Sambi
spoke briefly with Ambassador McGee and Tschetter in a separate
pull-aside (septel). Secretary Johanns also met separately with the
GOM Minister of Agriculture to reiterate continued U.S. support for
the agricultural challenges posed by the MAP, specifically rural
development and Madagascar's "Green Revolution."


6. (U) The delegation's public activities concluded with a press
conference extensively covered in local newspapers.


7. (U) In a brief private meeting with President Ravalomanana
following the investiture, the delegation again extended its
congratulations from President Bush and credited Ravalomanana's
progressive leadership style for Madagascar's comprehensive
participation in U.S. programs. Noting how the President
spontaneously veered off course at the inaugural ceremonies to shake
hands with his well-wishers before greeting the international
community, they applauded his sound political instincts.

COMMENT
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8. (U) Other than a few heads of state from nearby countries
(Comoros, Mauritius and Lesotho),the U.S. delegation was the
largest and most senior at the investiture. It was also entirely
appropriate that it be led by Secretary Johanns, who had visited
Madagascar in 2005 and developed a relationship with President
Ravalomanana. The delegation's other members reinforced the ongoing
and growing U.S. presence in Madagascar: the Peace Corps with its
long and successful history in the country and the newly announced
PMI representing the continuing expansion of our bilateral
relationship. Ravalomanana set high standards for himself, his
government and his people in his inaugural address; he is seeking
nothing less than the transformation of a highly traditional society
that tends to be change-averse. He will continue to seek more help
from the international community in carrying out these changes, and
he clearly appreciates what the United States has already done to
help him and the people of Madagascar during his first term. From
the positive tone of the meetings, Post anticipates a strong working
relationship with President Ravalomanana's second administration.
END COMMENT.


9. (U) The Presidential Delegation was not able to clear this cable
before its departure.

MCGEE