Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ANTANANARIVO302
2009-04-24 11:26:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Antananarivo
how-toVZCZCXRO8204 PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHMA RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO DE RUEHAN #0302 1141126 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 241126Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2364 INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHMFISS/CDR USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
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
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
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