MADAGASCAR: ACTION REQUEST FOR PRESS STATEMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANTANANARIVO 000679

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/EPS AND AF/E - MBEYZEROV
PARIS FOR WBAIN
LONDON FOR PLORD
GENEVA FOR GRIFFITHS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/25/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL MA
SUBJECT: MADAGASCAR: ACTION REQUEST FOR PRESS STATEMENT
REAFFIRMING USG POLICY

Classified By: POL/ECON CHIEF DOVIE HOLLAND FOR REASONS 1.4 B AND D.


1. (C) Summary: During the Human Rights Committee meeting on
September 22 at the UN, a statement was made concerning USG
policy in Madagascar that has generated some confusion in
country. Additionally, the African Union plans to host the
third International Contact Group meeting on Madagascar here
October 6. In an effort to clarify the USG position and
support the upcoming meeting, Post requests that the
Department issue a press statement during the week of
September 28. Please see para 6 for suggested text. End
summary.


2. (C) During the Human Rights Committee meeting on September
22, the USG representtive stated that "we continue to insist
that the leaders of the unconstitutional governments in
Guinea and Madagascar step down, follow through on their
commitments to hold free and fair elections, and ensure civil
liberties are protected during transition periods." This
statement has not gone unremarked here, causing some
confusion as it varies from previous statements issued by the
Department and Post. It has also generated new, specious
press attacks against the USG and Ambassador Marquardt
personally for interfering in Malagasy inmternal affairs.
Previously we have called upon the leaders of Madagascar to
undertake a democratic, consensual process to restore
constitutional governance, culminating in free, fair and
peaceful elections. We have never called publicly or
explicitly for anyone to resign, preferring instead to
support the AU-led process which may or may not lead to
leadership changes in the transition.


3. (C) Background: Madagascar's four main political
factions, led by de facto transition president Rajoelina,
ousted President Ravalomanana, former President Ratsiraka,
and former President Zafy, have been involved in a
negotiation process led by the African Union, in conjunction
with the Southern African Development Community (SADC),the
UN, and the International Francophonie Organization (OIF)
since April, when an International Contact Group (ICG) was
established to monitor the situation. In August, two rounds
of talks amog the four leaders were held in Mozambique. The
first session resulted in the signing of a transition charter
August 9. The second round stalled when the four parties
could not reach consensus on who would hold the top three
positions of the transition government. The AU plans to host
the third ICG meeting in Madagascar October 6 to pressure the
de facto authorities to compromise. A likely solution, if
one can be reached, would entail the current transition
leader Rajoelina retaining his position, but replacing his
prime minister with a consensus candidate.


4. (C) The USG has been supportive of the ICG process
throughout, indicating publicly that the consensus outcome
was for the Malagasy leaders to decide. The call for those
leaders to step down, as stated at the Human Rights
Committee, is being interpreted here as a change in USG
position, ending our previous position of neutrality and
supporting some factions over others. Although having a
beneficiary or leader of the coup retaining his position as
transition president may not be the ideal outcome, it may be
the best feasible solution to the simmering political crisis.
If the Malagasy themselves agree to that solution, the USG
view has been -- and, in post's view, should remain -- that
the USG joins the the AU-led international community in
supporting it.


5. (C) Action Request: Post requests that the Department
issue a press statement next week to restate, and correct any
misperceptions regarding, USG policy towards Madagascar,
specifically our support for the formation of a consensual,
inclusive transition government. This statement would be
most effective issued next week in the run-up to the
International Contact Group (ICG) meeting on October 6. A
statement released at post rather than in Washington will not
fully have the desired effect given renewed press allegations
that post and ambassador are operating on their own.


6. (U) Begin Draft Statement. The USG continues to support
the negotiation process led by the AU, SADC, UN, and the OIF
to resolve the political crisis in Madagascar. We welcome
the efforts of the AU to convene the third International
Contact Group meeting in Antananarivo on October 6, in which

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the USG will participate at a high level. We call again on
Madagascar's political leaders to respect the terms of the
agreements reached in Maputo in August to form a consensual,
inclusive transition government without further delay, with
the credibility to organize free, fair, and peaceful
elections within the 15-month timetable outlined in the
transition charter. We urge Madagascar's leaders to take
concrete steps immediately to restore the rule of law,
implement a consensual transition, respect human rights, and
limit the corruption that is damaging both the business
climate and the environment. We remain impartial and will
not support any unilateral solutions by any party, as such
moves will not produce a lasting solution based on credible,
fair elections. End Draft Statement.
MARQUARDT