MADAGASCAR: NEW TECHNOCRAT PRIME MINISTER AWAITS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANTANANARIVO 000713

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/E-MBEYZEROV AND INR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR MA
SUBJECT: MADAGASCAR: NEW TECHNOCRAT PRIME MINISTER AWAITS
CONFIRMATION

REF: ANTANANARIVO 707


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: See Action Request in para 7. The ambassador
greeted Madagascar's new consensus Prime Minister Eugene Mangalaza
upon his arrival in country October 10 to publicly display the
international community's support for the implementation of an
inclusive, consensual transition government. In a private meeting
October 12, Mangalaza, who was named PM by decree late Oct 10, said
he would wait patiently for confirmation of his role by the four
vying political faction leaders before acting. Former PM Monja
Roindefo has refused to vacate his seat for the time being. The
four leaders are tentatively scheduled to meet October 17-19 in
Geneva, but Ravalomanana may still throw a wrench in the works. The
situation on the ground in Madagascar remains calm, but unsettled
due to the obstinacy of Monja Roindefo and Ravalomanana. END
SUMMARY.

International Community Backs Consensus PM
--------------

2. (SBU) The consensus prime minister, Eugene Regis Mangalaza,
agreed upon by Madagascar's four vying political factions during the
October 6 International Contact Group meeting (reftel),arrived in
Madagascar early on October 10. The Ambassador, together with UN
Mediator Tiebile Drame and his South African and French
counterparts, greeted him at the airport to publicly demonstrate the
international community's support for the formation of a
power-sharing transition government per the Maputo transition
accords. The HAT minister of security, along with one military
officer closely associated with the March coup, also met the
PM-designate; somewhat surprisingly he publicly announced his strong
support for the Maputo accords. The media captured the
international presence, as intended. Mangalaza made a short, humble
statement about the constructive role he hopes to play in the
transition, and left.

TGV Replaces Monja with Mangalaza
--------------

3. (SBU) After assembly his cabinet for an impromptu meeting,
Transition president Andry "TGV" Rajoelina issued a decree late on
October 10 officially naming Mangalaza as the new prime minister and
abrogating the decree that had named Monja Roindefo to that role.
But Roindefo has refused to cede his place, stating in a speech that
he would remain prime minister until a new transition government,
whose members are to be validated and named by a meeting of the four
faction leaders October 17-19, was in place. Although Roindefo
indicated that he would eventually give up his seat, he is likely
holding on for as long as possible - probably in the hopes that
ousted President Ravalomanana will block agreement at the Oct 17
meeting -- to continue his notorious self-enrichment.

Mangalaza Awaits Confirmation of Four Chiefs
--------------

4. (SBU) The Ambassador called on Mangalaza officially, the first
diplomat to do so, on October 12 at the Presidential Suite in the
Hotel Colbert (due to his office still being occupied by Roindefo).
Mangalaza was calm and gracious, showing no signs of stress or
pressure. He said he is "in the starting blocks, but the race has
not started"; he will wait for the signature of the accord by the
four chiefs before he officially becomes PM, and he will play no
role in seeking to remove Roindefo. He is, however, eager for that
to occur as soon as possible. He said great patience will be
required for him to succeed, and he is showing some now. He
described himself as "technical, not political" and confirmed that
he has no political ambitions whatsoever, stating further that the
transition must be "short but good." He agreed with the ambassador
that the sole real tack of the transition government will be to
organize credible elections. While he knows former President
Ratsiraka well and was proposed by him, Mangalaza made it clear that
he is no AREMA (Ratsiraka's party) apparatchik, nor a "militant" of
Ratsiraka, but rather a neutral technocrat. He described his CV to
the Ambassador (a detailed biography is attached below),upon whom
Mangalaza made an overall fine impression.

AGOA IS USEFUL LEVERAGE
--------------

5. (SBU) Mangalaza told the Ambassador that he met Rajoelina for the
first time October 10 and again on October 12. He told Rajoelina
that "you are my chief but not my boss (patron). I have six bosses:
the Malagasy people, the four movements (including yours),and the
international community." According to Mangalaza, Rajoelina said he
understood and accepted the arrangement. The latter two also
discussed the importance of AGOA. The ambassador briefed Mangalaza
on the AGOA eligibility review process and timetable and exhorted
them not to lose more time in setting up the transition. Mangalaza
remarked that AGOA continues to provide useful pressure that he will
use to best effect.


ANTANANARI 00000713 002 OF 003


Mangalaza Still Catching Up
--------------

6. (SBU) The Ambassador then briefed Mangalaza, who has been in
exile since 2002 due to his connections with Ratsiraka, on a few key
players close to Rajoelina who might be helpful. Mangalaza said he
lived ten years in Tulear and is an anthropologist, and hinted that
both will be useful in dealing with the current PM (who is from
Tulear and the Antandroy tribe). However, he added, it would be
premature to have any contact with him for now. He also eschewed
any contact directly with Ravalomanana as premature.

Comment and Action Request
--------------

7. (SBU) The situation on the ground in Madagascar remains calm, but
unsettled due to Monja Roindefo's and Ravalomanana's obstinacy. As
of Monday, Berlin was gaining ground as the site for the next
Summit, but then the German government refused the proposal. There
is now agreement on Geneva as the location for the October 17-19
talks, with the meeting to take place on UN premises, the Swiss
government having agreed to pay all lodging expenses, and the French
and/or EU ponying up Euros 50K for transport expenses. UN Mediator
Drame has requested a like contribution from the USG; please advise.
While Ravalomanana may still be insisting on Luanda or another
African location instead of Europe, the Chissano is keen on holding
the meeting this weekend, which will not be possible if it is to be
held in Africa. The Ambassador will join Ambassador Phil Carter in
Johannesburg for a meeting with Ravalomanana on Thursday to
encourage him to endorse the agreements reached during the ICG
October 6 and name people to the government positions which he has
been allocated. End comment.



8. (U) BIOGRAPHY OF EUGENE REGIS MANGALAZA
--------------

Occupation: Academic, Professor, University Rector, now Consensual
Transitional Prime Minister, nominated by former President
Ratsiraka, approved by the four political factions, and appointed by
Rajoelina

Appointment Date: October 10, 2009

DOB: 1950 in Ambodivoanio, Toamasina (East coast; he says he hails
from Mananara Nord)

Family: Wife, Married with three children

Education:
- 1988: Doctorate in Social Anthropology from the University of
Bordeaux II
- 1977: Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Bordeaux III
- 1970: Baccalaureat from Jacques RABEMANANJARA High School in
Toamasina

Prior Government Posts:
- 1992-2002: Rector of Toamasina University
- 1987-1991: Director of Human Resources Division, Autonomous Port
of Toamasina
- 1980-1986: Dean of the University of Toliara, Languages
Department
- 1990s - elected Deputy in National Assembly

Teaching activities and research:
- In Madagascar:
- Since 1994, he assisted Ph.D. students studying philosophy and
social anthropology at the Universities of Toliara and Toamasina;
- Between 1980 and 2003, he published around ten works on the
Betsimisaraka tribe of Madagascar.
- Abroad:
2003-2004: Guest Professor at the University of Perpignan, Sociology
Division within the Languages Department
1996-2002: Guest Professor at the University of Bordeaux III for two
to three months;
1994-1998: Guest Professor at the University of Saint Denis,
Reunion, for two to three months

Political Background: He was a member of the Ratsiraka delegation
to Dakar II during 2002 crisis resolution discussions.

Exposure to the US: He participated in an International Visitor
program sponsored by the Embassy on "University Administration" when
he was the President of the University of Toamasina. He promoted
linkages between the University of Toamasina and Clark Atlanta
University, which have resulted in various partnerships including
the opening of a language lab in Toamasina and teacher exchanges.
He says his English is poor but he appears able to communicate in
it.

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