MAYOR AND PRESIDENT HOLD THEIR POSITIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 ANTANANARIVO 000059 SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/E - MBEYZEROV PARIS FOR RKANEDA LONDON FOR PLORD E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/04/2018 TAGS: PGOV MA SUBJECT: MAYOR AND PRESIDENT HOLD THEIR POSITIONS REF: A. 08 ANTANANARIVO 849 ¶B. 09 ANTANANARIVO 09 ¶C. 09 ANTANANARIVO 17 ¶D. 09 ANTANANARIVO 40 ¶E. 08 ANTANANARIVO 879 ¶F. 08 ANTANANARIVO 852 Classified By: AMBASSADOR NIELS MARQUARDT FOR REASONS 1.4 B AND D. ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Another week, another ultimatum: the conflict between Mayor of Antananarivo Andry "TGV" Rajoelina and President Marc Ravalomanana (see reftels A-D) continues unabated, with neither side inclined to retreat. A large demonstration on January 17, marking the one-month anniversary of Rajoelina's declaration on media freedom and human rights, brought out a peaceful but enthusiastic crowd. The following days, however, saw an escalation in the battle of words, further reducing the two sides' ability to eventually reach a compromise. At week's end, Rajoelina has another demonstration planned, Ravalomanana remains dismissive of the movement, and the diplomatic community has taken its first steps to intervene in the crisis. END SUMMARY. ANOTHER WEEK GOES BY ¶2. (C) January 17 saw the largest opposition rally yet, attracting a peaceful but excited crowd of over 10,000 people for the inauguration of Antananarivo's new "Democracy Square". While Rajoelina didn't cover any new ground in his discourse, the outpouring of enthusiasm cemented his leadership role, and clarified for the government the extent of his appeal. (The clear reference point is 2002, when far larger crowds rallied in support of Ravalomanana and eventually sent Ratsiraka into exile. While TVG clearly thinks he has the same dynamic behind him now, others see his ability to draw a crowd as puny in comparison.) ¶3. (C) Miscalculating the government's concern, the Mayor's "VIVA TV" station began broadcasting on Sunday despite the month-old suspension of their license; by nightfall, their license had been formally revoked, broadcasting equipment confiscated, and opposition supporters called to VIVA's headquarters to "protect" the facility. A crowd of a few hundred formed outside the station, but no government forces showed up. Capitalizing on the event, Rajoelina then made a public announcement reaffirming his previous appeal for media freedom and democracy, and calling for the resignation of Ministers Haja Razafinjatovo (Finance and Budget) and Marius Ratolojanahary (Town Planning and Land Reform) for their respective roles in the purchase of a new presidential jet (reftel E) and an alleged plan to "give" large tracts of Malagasy farmland to Daewoo (reftel F). He set a deadline of January 21, which came and went without their resignation; Razafinjatovo stated that he "consider(s) the airplane an investment", while Ratolojanahary simply commented that "it's up to the president" -- who made it clear to the press earlier in the week that he had no intention of dismissing his ministers. ¶4. (C) In a repeat of the events of December 19 (reftel A), rumors surfaced on January 20 that a new arrest warrant had been issued for Rajoelina, with contacts in the media certain that he had gone into hiding, supporters rushing to his house to "defend" him, and contacts in the police and gendarme reporting both that the warrant had been drafted and, separately, that they had no intention of arresting the Mayor. The mayor was not arrested, although rumors continue to circulate, apparently hinging on his attendance at a planned rally during the coming weekend. RAVALOMANANA OPEN TO COMPROMISE...BY THE MAYOR ¶5. (C) President Ravalomanana continued his studious attempt to remain above the fray, belittle the opposition's concerns, and focus attention away from the dispute. With extensive cyclone damage on the west coast, two summits next week (SADC in South Africa and AU in Ethiopia),and an incessant schedule of visits around the capital and country in recent weeks, the president has taken great care to demonstrate his reach, preferring to address the Mayor via indirect commentary. Throughout the week, he has continued this pattern, stating that "no one will be arrested as long as the law is respected", while maintaining that "demonstrating in the street is not democracy". He has publicly expressed a preference for dialogue, but he has been equally clear that he has no intention of caving in to the demands of a small minority. ANTANANARI 00000059 002 OF 003 PRESIDENT'S FOLLOWERS LESS DIPLOMATIC ¶6. (C) In typical TIM (the president's dominant political party) party fashion, a new talking point is making the rounds in the media: the Mayor has violated Malagasy tradition with his public demonstrations and demands, and even if both sides of the conflict have made some mistakes, it is incumbent upon the younger antagonist to back down to the elder statesman. Senator Tavonanahary Rabetsitonta (TIM, appointed) stated in an interview on Radio Don Bosco that "a retreat (by Rajoelina) isn't necessarily a defeat" but rather "one of wisdom", without suggesting that the same might be true for Ravalomanana. President of the National Assembly Jacques Sylla (also TIM) told the Ambassador of his fears that the mayor was originally just focused on doing a good job for Antananarivo, but had changed over the course of his term. Based on the influence of both new political forces and older "dinosaurs" (including exiled former President Ratsiraka),the mayor's current actions appear to be aimed at a large confrontation and possibly regime change. Per Sylla, "the mayor has not respected Malagasy values in his public display of disrespect for the President", and should thus be the first to make a move for reconciliation. ¶7. (C) The president's public facade of patience may be running out: at 0500 on January 22, the home of Deputy Mayor Nirhy Lanto Andriamahazo was ransacked by police, citing national security, although nothing was taken, and no arrests were made. Prime Minster Charles Rabemananjara made clear his disdain for the deadlines, questioning publicly "why an ordinary person who claims to be a victim of the abuse of power sets a deadline", and an editorial in the Madagascar Tribune opined that "Rajoelina has put himself in a cul de sac, on a one-way street". MAYOR PRESSES ON ¶8. (C) Following up on his promise of "serious measures" if the government continues to ignore his demands, the Mayor's office has released information about a suspect deal between the president's MBS media group and the city government at a time when Ravalomanana was himself mayor. Under the deal, MBS obtained a contract to rent land from the city in Anosipatrana for MGA 800 (USD 0.40 now) per square meter for 50 years. Rajoelina has given MBS formal notice of his intention to renegotiate the contract; MBS argues that the contract is legitimate, and promises a legal battle. Rajoelina reportedly has more such information from an audit conducted at the beginning of his term, and may continue to release it as the feud continues. ¶9. (C) Rajoelina has called for another rally on Saturday, January 24 on Democracy Square, although he has not yet released specifics or given notice to the government. In several provincial cities, including Fianarantsoa and Taomasina, opposition leaders have expressed their ongoing support for the Mayor, and press reports indicate that opposition groups have formed "crisis cells" in cities around the country, ready to hold demonstrations of their own in support of their Antananarivo counterparts. INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY STEPS IN ¶10. (C) Although the diplomatic community had hitherto been relatively silent, a group of Chiefs of Mission recently sought meetings with both parties to the conflict (septel). Fearing that a confrontation this weekend could turn violent, President of the National Assembly Jacques Sylla had contacted foreign missions with the suggestion that they push for both sides to obey the constitution and seek dialogue. To date, both sides have on occasion suggested they have the backing of the international community, with Ravalomanana specifically claiming the support of the U.S. and France, and Rajoelina in December insinuating that members of the diplomatic corps were assisting him. Separately, the World Bank recently informed the president that Robert Zoellick did not intend to come on a planned visit until the current dispute is resolved; while this doesn't appear to have influenced the president this week, the message from abroad is clear: neither side can count on international support if they don't seek a peaceful resolution. FEW WAYS OUT ¶11. (C) COMMENT: If last weekend's events are any indication, the mayor can count on a large turnout on Saturday, but he ANTANANARI 00000059 003 OF 003 can be equally sure that Ravalomanana will respond, perhaps with more than the incremental measures seen thus far. It is becoming increasingly apparent to supporters on both sides that dialogue is needed, but neither leader looks set to compromise. MARQUARDT