COMORAN PRESIDENT SEEKS U.S. POLITICAL SUPPORT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANTANANARIVO 000642 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E AND AF/O ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU - AMB COURVILLE ACCRA FOR AF PDAS LINDA THOMAS-GREENFIELD PARIS FOR D'ELIA PRETORIA FOR POLCOUNS NSC FOR DIRECTOR PITTMAN E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/29/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL AU EAID PHUM PINR ASEC MOPS CN SUBJECT: COMORAN PRESIDENT SEEKS U.S. POLITICAL SUPPORT REF: A. ANTANANARIVO 636 ¶B. ANTANANARIVO 585 Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES GEORGE N. SIBLEY FOR REASONS 1.4 B,D ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: In a letter to President Bush (full translation in paragraph two),Ahmed Abdallah Sambi, President of the Union of the Comoros, seeks U.S. support urging an African Union (AU) decision to take robust action against Comoran warlord Mohamed Bacar. Sambi expresses his disappointment (REF A) in the AU Ministerial delegation that arrived in the Comoros promising to deliver an ultimatum for Bacar -- but that left promoting a negotiation that would seem to place the elected Union government on equal status with the rebels. Sambi is no longer -- as in Ref B -- asking the U.S. for direct military support (although he would no doubt still welcome it) but rather for political support to press the AU toward a stronger response. Post endorses this approach. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) BEGIN TEXT OF LETTER UNION OF THE COMOROS Unity - Solidarity - Development The President, Moroni, June 27, 2007 No. 07-296/PR Excellency, It is an honor for me to inform you, as I always have the pleasure to do so, of the recent events that have occurred in my country. As scheduled, the second round of the island presidential elections in Grande Comore and Moheli were held in peace, under the supervision and security measures by International and Regional Organizations, namely the African Union, the Arab Nations League, the Francophony, the European Union and the Indian Ocean Commission. As you are aware, a ministerial delegation from countries in the region visited our country on June 24 to follow up on the Cape Town Meeting of June 19, 2007, requesting local authorities in Anjouan to implement the measures decided by the Committee, immediately and without any condition. To our surprise, the Ministerial Committee has considered the conditions stated by Colonel Mohamed Bacar who, with the pretext of dysfunction within the Constitutional Court, rejects the immediate implementation of the Communique; however, he has submitted a request to the same Court on June 8, which proves that he does not reject the credibility of said Court. It is needless to be reminded that this is not the first manipulation perpetrated by Colonel Mohamed Bacar, whose sole objective is to remain forever in power and postpone the organization of free elections during which he will undoubtedly be defeated. Now, the Committee suggests organizing new negotiations in South Africa, and in the presence of rebels from Anjouan, before moving forward in the implementation of the decisions made in Cape Town, a proposal that has been rejected by the Comoran Government. Excellency, any delay in the immediate and unconditional implementation of the measures decided in Cape Town would jeopardize peace and stability and question the credibility of our Pan-African Organization, on which we depend to put an end to the anarchy threatening the principles of national legitimacy in Africa, and for which you have always provided your support. ANTANANARI 00000642 002 OF 002 Therefore, I remain confident that your fellow country will continue to support the rights of the Comoran people for democracy and development, and that you will take some measures in favor of the continuation of our country's democratic progress. Excellency, I have shown a considerable deal of patience and tolerance despite the humiliations of the rebels in Anjouan, so as to avoid any bloodshed in the Comoros. The Comoran Government and people have had a lot of hope in the effective implementation of the decisions made in Cape Town; unfortunately, the situation has become even more confusing at the end of the visit by the Ministerial Committee in our country. Today, the rebellion movement imposed by Colonel Bacar feels encouraged and supported in its actions and therefore, the Comoran Government is obliged to find a quick solution to protect the country's integrity and put an end to the sufferings of the population in Anjouan, taken hostage for years and who continue to claim their legitimate right to be allowed to freely express their dedication to national unity. Excellency, when I consider the constant support that you have provided to help overcome past hardships, I am encouraged to confirm the importance of your personal role, once again, in resolving the Comoran crisis. Therefore, I would be very grateful if you could support the request by the Comoran Government to hold rapidly an Extraordinary Meeting of the Peace and Security Council, within the 9th Summit of the African Union in Accra, to authorize the revision of the mandate of the Electoral and Security Assistance Mission, so as to allow this latter to maintain order in Anjouan, which would facilitate the rapid and unconditional organization of free and transparent elections in this island, like in the other two. I thank you in advance for urgently considering this request. //signature// AHMED ABDALLAH MOHAMED SAMBI (END TEXT) ¶3. (C) COMMENT: Sambi's request of the U.S. is more moderate on this occasion. It appears likely -- although not certain -- that an AU force could recover control of Anjouan without the shedding of any blood. Making clear in advance that the rebels would not be prosecuted if they surrender peacefully and allowing Bacar to retire to exile would increase the likelihood of a peaceful outcome. By contrast, if the Union is left unsupported in trying to retake Anjouan with its own forces, Bacar is highly unlikely to yield and significant loss of life may result. The remaining option is simply accepting the de facto secession of Anjouan and its takeover by a dictator. For these reasons, Post encourages the Department to consider positively Sambi's request for political support at the AU Summit in Accra. ¶4. (C) COMMENT CONTINUED: If the Department concurs in this approach, a letter to President Sambi affirming that we stand by him in his effort to restore democracy throughout his archipelagic nation would help to reinforce our strong bilateral ties. END COMMENT. SIBLEY