MADAGASCAR'S COUP REGIME HEADS TO NEW YORK

UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000657 DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E - MBEYZEROV SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL UNGA MA SUBJECT: MADAGASCAR'S COUP REGIME HEADS TO NEW YORK REF: A) STATE 93941, B) ANTANANARIVO 643, C) ANTANANARIVO 654 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Several representatives of Madagascar's transition MFA departed for New York on September 13; a presidential delegation intends to follow on or around September 21. In total, there are 23 members of the official delegation, and nine journalists accompanying them. The MFA team intends to stay for two weeks, while those from the Presidency are planning on one week. Although they doubtless hope this visit will confer some level of legitimacy on their struggling transition government, they are more likely to find that a cold shoulder awaiting them in New York. At the same time, the unsettled local situation may lead the President or others to change plans, perhaps even skipping the trip altogether. END SUMMARY. MADAGASCAR'S DELEGATION -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Following is a list of the delegation's key members, with approximate travel dates. A) From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, traveling September 14 to 27: Ny Hasina ANDRIMANJATO, Vice Prime Minister in charge of Foreign Affairs Andrianjatovo Solofo RAZAFITRIMO, Secretary General Velotiana RAOBELINA RAKOTOANOSY, Director of Multilateral Cooperation Ravoniandro Mahitsy RAMAHERIRARINY, Protocol Director Colonel Jean Adolphe DOMINIQUE, Official Representative B) From the Presidency, traveling September 21 to 28: Andry Nirina RAJOELINA, President of the Transition Mialy RAJOELINA (RAZAKANDISA),First Lady Calixte RANDRIAMIANDRISOA, (new) Minister of the Environment and Forests Zaza RAMANDIMBIARISON , Chief of Staff Colonel Claude RAZAFIMAHATRATRA, Director of Security Andry RAOBELINA, Director of Protocol Lt. Colonel Fidimalala RAFALIARISOA, Staff Assistant The presidency's delegation will also include eight support staff, two security staff, and nine journalists. C) Submitted separately and traveling September 19 to 28: Jean Rudolphe RAMANANTSOA, (new) Minister of Energy THE COLD SHOULDER OF UNGA -------------- ¶3. (SBU) We passed the word to the foreign ministry delegation before they left that they can expect no contact with any senior USG officials, and reminded them that their G-3 visas are valid only for the UN itself. As for the UN itself, ICG-M mediator Tiebile Drame has told us that Rajoelina will not meet anyone higher than Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Haile Menkerios. ¶4. (SBU) COMMENT: Continuing instability and recent events in Madagascar (refs B and C) may cause Rajoelina, and possibly other members of his delegation, to shorten or even cancel their trip. The three main opposition parties have given Rajoelina's regime until September 20 to return to the negotiating table, or else face renewed street protests and possibly the formation of a parallel government. Whether or not they consent to further talks, that week will be a difficult time for their nominal president to be out of the country, particularly since he is unlikely to achieve any of his political goals once in New York. END COMMENT. MARQUARDT