MADAGASCAR: MORE POLITICAL TENSION AND

UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000302 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/E - MBEYZEROV PARIS FOR RKANEDA LONDON FOR PLORD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV MA SUBJECT: MADAGASCAR: MORE POLITICAL TENSION AND INTERMITTENT VIOLENCE REF: A. ANTANANARIVO 282 ¶B. ANTANANARIVO 292 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Opposition protesters clashed with GOM security forces on Thursday, April 23, resulting in several deaths, 22 arrests, and at least 40 wounded. The violence ended by nightfall, but picked up again on April 24 before dissipating in mid-afternoon after warning shots and tear gas had been deployed. Protests appear likely to continue, but foreigners continue to be unthreatened by these actions. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) Monday's violence (reftel B) was followed by two days of mourning and funeral services for the two protesters and one law enforcement official who were killed. Despite a ban on all demonstrations announced Monday by transition PM Roindefo Monja, around 2,000 opposition protesters under the "legalist", "pro-constitutional", or pro-Ravalomanana banner began assembling outside the closed (and heavily guarded) Place de la Democratie at Ambohijavoto Park. Unable to gain access to the park, legalist "spokesman" Constant Raveloson announced three rallying points on Radio Mada and called for demonstrators to prepare for a march. The march never materialized, as GOM security forces intervened with tear gas and warning shots, and clashed violently with crowds in several locations around Antananarivo before finally regaining control around 1700. At least one building and several cars were set on fire, and gunshots could be heard through much of the afternoon. ¶3. (SBU) Press reports and embassy contacts indicate that there were 38 civilians and 4 law enforcement officials admitted to Antananarivo's main HJRA hospital; no deaths have been confirmed by the authorities, but sources indicate that there were likely several casualties and the furious pro-Ravalomanana opposition is claimihg a HAT cover-up of the casualties. Television station TV Plus released the names of four former members of parliament who were arrested for allegedly distributing 10,000 ariary notes (USD $5) to protesters to incite violence; their current status has not been made public. On Friday, April 24, security forces again closed Place de la Democratie to demonstrators, and resorted to tear gas and warning shots to disperse the gathering crowd of at least 1,000 people. There is an unconfirmed report of one woman killed by gunfire. By early afternoon, the crowds had dissipated, and there is currently no indication of further protests today. However, protests appear likely to continue into the future. No foreigners were reported threatened or harmed by the continuing political tensions and intermittent violence. MARQUARDT