French Update on Comoros-Mayotte Issue

UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000716

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/FO AND AF/E

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ETRD PGOV CN
SUBJECT: French Update on Comoros-Mayotte Issue


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: France and the Comoros continue to address the
Mayotte issue bilaterally, notwithstanding the Comoros' "symbolic"
effort to raise the question at the UN General Assembly. END
SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) French Ambassador to the Comoros Hallade told Comoros
Officer October 24 that progress had been made bilaterally to
address Comoros' concerns about French-controlled Mayotte. (Note:
France maintained control of Mayotte after independence in 1975, but
Comoros still claims the island. End Note.) In Mayotte in
September, French, Comoran, and local Mayotte officials met for the
third session since June to address concerns about Mayotte. They
made progress toward a bilateral agreement that could be signed in
early 2009 (possibly by French President Sarkozy, who may visit the
region then). France already agreed to reopen a Consular office in
Anjouan to facilitate visa requests for Anjouanese to travel to
Mayotte. In Moroni, the Embassy will open a "Mayotte only" visa
window to facilitate travelers. The Ambassador noted the refusal
rate for Comoran visa requests for Mayotte is only five percent
(thus Comoran complaints about lack of access to Mayotte would seem
exaggerated).


3. (SBU) In addition to gestures to improve visa services, France
seeks to facilitate trade in goods between Comoros and Mayotte.
This will include incentives for shipping and capacity building to
help Comorans supply the Mayotte market (where buying power is many
times higher). France also seeks to have these periodic meetings --
the next is in Anjouan in November -- to evolve into a permanent
institution to improve management of Comoros-Mayotte relations.
Hallade noted Mayotte is hesitant in offering much to the Comorans.

Mayotte "Consultation" (not/not Referendum)
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3. (SBU) Ambassador Hallade clarified that Mayotte will hold a
"consultation" in April, 2009, which does not have the legal impact
of a referendum (Note: Mayotte is an "overseas collectivity"
somewhere between Overseas Territory and Overseas Department in
status. The vote will ask Mayotte's electorate if they wish to
apply to be a Department. End Note). First, if the vote is in
favor of "Department" status, it is not legally binding. Paris will
face political pressure, but will not have a legal obligation.
Second, if the vote is yes and Paris agrees, it will take many years
to reform Mayotte's laws and institutions to comply with French law
and become a Department. Third, Mayotte's status and relations with
the Comoros will not change overnight; existing arrangements will
remain in force. Despite these nuanced details, the Ambassador
agreed that the reaction in Comoros will likely be strong if the
vote passes, given the emotional nationalist sentiment for Mayotte
in the Comoros.


4. (SBU) Commenting on the Comorans' October 23 effort in New York
to put Mayotte on the UNGA agenda, the Ambassador said the GOC
confirmed privately this symbolic move was meant to appease the
pro-Mayotte groups in the Comoros. Despite this effort, Hallade
believes the GOC is committed to the bilateral solutions described
above.

MARQUARDT