MADAGASCAR: LETTER TO POTUS ON AGOA

UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000494 STATE FOR AF/EPS AND AF/E - MBEYZEROV DOC FOR BECKY ERKUL - DESK OFFICER STATE PLEASE PASS TO AUSTR FLORIE LISER AND BILL JACKSON TREASURY FOR FRANCOIS BOYE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD AGOA EINV ECON PREL MA SUBJECT: MADAGASCAR: LETTER TO POTUS ON AGOA SUMMARY: On July 1, Post received a copy of a letter from the vice presidents of the Malagasy transition authority (HAT) addressed to President Obama. The letter, which urges the USG to renew AGOA benefits for Madagascar, is translated below. END SUMMARY. HIGH TRANSITION AUTHORITY PRESIDENCY OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENTS Antananarivo, June 19, 2009. HIS EXCELLENCY BARACK OBAMA PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WASHINGTON D.C. Mr. President: Over the last months, Madagascar has experienced in-depth social and political changes, and very often, people abroad do not understand the true value of the scope and historical dimensions of these changes. Despite difficulties generated by obstructions and pressures, the current talks between the different political movements shall soon give birth to a road map geared towards the restoration of genuine and credible democracy after the transition period. Excellency, For Madagascar, one of the few countries still listed among the Least Developed Countries, fighting poverty is a basic priority, and the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA),which provides the population with over one hundred thousand direct jobs in export processing zones, is among the most effective instruments at hand. Because of a sound structuring of this industrial opportunity in Madagascar, our country now ranks second in textile production, and it is expected that a noticeable improvement of the business climate, namely thanks to the creation of a competition-based business environment, would eventually generate better performances in all concerned industries. The closing of this opportunity for Madagascar, scheduled for the end of this year, can cause but concern for the entire workforce, and consternation for the needy as well as those businesses that dared to put their trust in the future of a country they know to offer great promises. For the purpose of showing our interest in keeping Madagascar's AGOA membership, we have set up a multidisciplinary technical commission gathering representatives of the administration and affected businesses, tasked with explaining the stakes of the said membership, and highlighting the relevance of the democratic process underway. Excellency, The Malagasy people, together with the Transition authorities, are committed to a process of which the ultimate outcome is the creation of a new constitutional order within a fourth Republic. Putting Madagascar back on track to strengthening the rule of the law, good governance and democracy is a true political will. Yours respectfully, The Vice-Presidents of the High Transition Authority Dolin RASOLOSOA Jean LAHINIRIKO Hary Naivo RASAMOELINA Bruno RAJAONSON Daniel RAMAROMISA Thodore RANJIVASON Patrick MONIBOU MARQUARDT