Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ANTANANARIVO851
2007-08-24 09:53:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Antananarivo
Cable title:  

AMBASSADOR CALLS ON MALAGASY PRIME MINISTER

Tags:  PREL PGOV KDEM EAID EWWT ASEC SNAR MA 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO9093
RR RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO
DE RUEHAN #0851/01 2360953
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 240953Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0262
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANTANANARIVO 000851 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/E - MBEYZEROV, RMEYERS
PARIS FOR D'ELIA
USAID FOR AFR/AA KALMQUIST
USAID FOR AFR/EA OSMOAK

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/24/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM EAID EWWT ASEC SNAR MA
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR CALLS ON MALAGASY PRIME MINISTER

REF: ANTANANARIVO 836

ANTANANARI 00000851 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: Ambassador R. Niels Marquardt for reasons 1.4 B,D

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANTANANARIVO 000851

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/E - MBEYZEROV, RMEYERS
PARIS FOR D'ELIA
USAID FOR AFR/AA KALMQUIST
USAID FOR AFR/EA OSMOAK

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/24/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM EAID EWWT ASEC SNAR MA
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR CALLS ON MALAGASY PRIME MINISTER

REF: ANTANANARIVO 836

ANTANANARI 00000851 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: Ambassador R. Niels Marquardt for reasons 1.4 B,D


1. (C) SUMMARY: Prime Minister Charles Rabemananjara invited
Ambassador Marquardt for a meeting the day after the
credentials ceremony with the President. A friendly but
direct Rabemananjara said Malagasy do not want a single
ballot and the electoral commission is already strong and
independent. Predictably the Prime Minister discussed the
September 23 National Assembly election, the Madagascar
Action Plan, and security concerns. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) Prime Minister Rabemananjara warmly welcomed
Ambassador Marquardt "chez nous" in Madagascar. He said
Malagasy-U.S. relations were in good shape and expressed
pride in the two governments' friendship.

"Our Democracy"
--------------


3. (SBU) Following cordial formalities, PM Rabemananjara
spoke of "our democracy" in oddly defensive tones,
volunteering that the Malagasy population does not want a
single voting ballot; contrary to what he called the view put
forth by the free but "manipulative" press. He stated that
Madagascar's media prints anything and are out of control.
Continuing to preempt U.S. (and donor community) positions on
needed democratic reforms, the Prime Minister asserted that
Madagascar's National Electoral Commission was "one of the
most powerful in the region" and capable of fulfilling its
obligations. Noting U.S. Embassy support to civil society,
the Prime Minister accepted this role but cautioned against
the political opposition's influence on NGOs. DCM Sibley
assured that U.S. assistance was contingent on the complete
political neutrality of our partners.


4. (SBU) The Prime Minister, who is simultaneously Minister
of Interior responsible for elections, concluded his defense
of Malagasy democracy saying results were reported within
days of the recent presidential election and constitutional
referendum - and that "seven of nine internationally-accepted
electoral controls" were utilized to prevent fraud. He
assured the September 23 National Assembly elections would be
free and fair. Upon our departure, the Prime Minister
whispered to our Political FSN, whom he has known many years,
"That is our response to the Charge's Fourth of July speech
calling for democratic reforms."

Madagascar Action Plan
--------------


5. (U) The Prime Minister covered similar ground as the
President (reftel) with regard to the Madagascar Action Plan,
emphasizing it as a grass roots, iterative approach to
development. PM Rabemananjara said he works closely with the
Minister of Decentralization to push authority down to
regional and local leaders. He invited the Ambassador to
join him on field visits around Madagascar to see
developments on the ground in rural areas.

Security Concerns
--------------


6. (C) The Prime Minister briefly mentioned security concerns
and Madagascar's unguarded 5,000 km coastline. Repeating a
comment the President made, he said several Pakistani drug
traffickers were arrested recently in northern Madagascar.
He requested assistance in coast guard and public security to
police the island and combat terrorism and drug trafficking.
The Ambassador noted a proposal for the U.S. to conduct a
counternarcotics training program in the coming months.

COMMENT: Clear "No" to Political Reforms
--------------


7. (C) The Prime Minister, insisting on friendly relations,
apologized for being "undiplomatic" and said his intention
was for a meeting of substance, not just courtesy. His
preemptive discussion of democratic reform confirms Post's
views that the GOM is firmly closed to an independent

ANTANANARI 00000851 002.2 OF 002


electoral commission or single ballot. END COMMENT.

MARQUARDT