Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ADDISABABA320
2009-02-05 15:49:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Addis Ababa
Cable title:
AU SUMMIT -- AF ACTING ASSISTANT SECRETARY MEETS
how-toVZCZCXRO3934 PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO DE RUEHDS #0320 0361549 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 051549Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3670 INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0494 RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 3247 RUEHRB/AMEMBASSY RABAT 0902 RUEPADJ/CJTF HOA RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 7708 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RUZEFAA/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
C O N F I D E N T I A L ADDIS ABABA 000320
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/E, AND AF/RSA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/05/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV MA AU
SUBJECT: AU SUMMIT -- AF ACTING ASSISTANT SECRETARY MEETS
MALAGASY FOREIGN MINISTER
Classified By: AMBASSADOR DONALD YAMAMOTO, REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ADDIS ABABA 000320
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/E, AND AF/RSA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/05/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV MA AU
SUBJECT: AU SUMMIT -- AF ACTING ASSISTANT SECRETARY MEETS
MALAGASY FOREIGN MINISTER
Classified By: AMBASSADOR DONALD YAMAMOTO, REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (U) Action for Embassy Antananarivo -- see paragraph 5.
2. (C) On February 2 AF Acting Assistant Secretary Phillip
Carter met Malagasy Foreign Minister Marcel Ranjeva on the
margins of the African Union (AU) summit. The discussion
focused exclusively on the crisis arising from the
confrontation between the Mayor of Antananarivo, Andry
Rajoelina, and the President of the country, Marc
Ravalomanana. Ranjeva spoke at length presenting the
official version and interpretation of events. He provided a
detailed account of events unfolding in Antananarivo -- most
of which have been well covered in the press -- and
acknowledged the danger these developments posed for
stability and the socio-economic prospects of Madagascar. He
said that following the violence, day-to-day conditions for
populace have returned to normal, but the threat of renewed
violence remains. He also stressed that the President
continues to enjoy substantial popular support.
3. (C) Carter was explicit that the United States firmly
supports democratic processes, and the institutional and
structural provisions of the constitution, but that it is a
mark of true leadership to acknowledge responsibility for
failings and work hard to correct socio-economic problems
facing Madagascar. Carter told Ranjeva that from the U.S.
perspective the President had been legitimately elected under
the provisions of the Malagasy constitution and the Mayor's
effort to use extra-constitutional means to oust the
President were unacceptable. He urged the President to
engage in open dialogue and to keep the populace informed of
these efforts.
4. (C) Ranjeva asked the USG to issue a statement
supporting the government. Carter, emphasizing the United
States is not partisan in this crisis, urged the President to
demonstrate courageous leadership to protect the constitution
and democratic processes and to engage in open dialogue to
resolve the looming political, social, and economic crises.
He said the President was not doing enough and noted his
style contributed to the crisis, concluding that the Mayor
tapped into a vein of popular discontent that Ravalomanana
must address and resolve in an open and transparent manner.
5. (C) Ranjeva heard the message, and said he would convey
it to Ravalomanana. Post may wish to follow up with Ranjeva
to ensure that he delivers the message as promised.
6. (U) Acting A/S Carter approved this message.
YAMAMOTO
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/E, AND AF/RSA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/05/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV MA AU
SUBJECT: AU SUMMIT -- AF ACTING ASSISTANT SECRETARY MEETS
MALAGASY FOREIGN MINISTER
Classified By: AMBASSADOR DONALD YAMAMOTO, REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (U) Action for Embassy Antananarivo -- see paragraph 5.
2. (C) On February 2 AF Acting Assistant Secretary Phillip
Carter met Malagasy Foreign Minister Marcel Ranjeva on the
margins of the African Union (AU) summit. The discussion
focused exclusively on the crisis arising from the
confrontation between the Mayor of Antananarivo, Andry
Rajoelina, and the President of the country, Marc
Ravalomanana. Ranjeva spoke at length presenting the
official version and interpretation of events. He provided a
detailed account of events unfolding in Antananarivo -- most
of which have been well covered in the press -- and
acknowledged the danger these developments posed for
stability and the socio-economic prospects of Madagascar. He
said that following the violence, day-to-day conditions for
populace have returned to normal, but the threat of renewed
violence remains. He also stressed that the President
continues to enjoy substantial popular support.
3. (C) Carter was explicit that the United States firmly
supports democratic processes, and the institutional and
structural provisions of the constitution, but that it is a
mark of true leadership to acknowledge responsibility for
failings and work hard to correct socio-economic problems
facing Madagascar. Carter told Ranjeva that from the U.S.
perspective the President had been legitimately elected under
the provisions of the Malagasy constitution and the Mayor's
effort to use extra-constitutional means to oust the
President were unacceptable. He urged the President to
engage in open dialogue and to keep the populace informed of
these efforts.
4. (C) Ranjeva asked the USG to issue a statement
supporting the government. Carter, emphasizing the United
States is not partisan in this crisis, urged the President to
demonstrate courageous leadership to protect the constitution
and democratic processes and to engage in open dialogue to
resolve the looming political, social, and economic crises.
He said the President was not doing enough and noted his
style contributed to the crisis, concluding that the Mayor
tapped into a vein of popular discontent that Ravalomanana
must address and resolve in an open and transparent manner.
5. (C) Ranjeva heard the message, and said he would convey
it to Ravalomanana. Post may wish to follow up with Ranjeva
to ensure that he delivers the message as promised.
6. (U) Acting A/S Carter approved this message.
YAMAMOTO