MAYOR'S RADIO STATION CRITICIZES INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000074 DEPARTMENT FOR AF/PDPA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR OPRC KPAO MA SUBJECT: MAYOR'S RADIO STATION CRITICIZES INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY 1) The Public Affairs Section (PAS) in Antananarivo has been closely monitoring media outlets throughout Madagascar during the current political crisis. There has been extensive reporting in print, radio and television about the crisis. For a fuller picture of the media environment, PAS Antananarivo disseminates a daily Media Review of the major media outlets in Madagascar. If you would like to receive the Media Review you may email Public Affairs Officer, Rodney Ford at fordrd@state.gov. -------------- -------------- MAYOR'S RADIO STATION CRITICIZES INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY -------------- -------------- 2) On Monday, February 02, 2009 political commentators on Viva Radio program "A Vous L'Antenne" strongly denounced the international community's attitude during the current political crisis, mentioning in particular France and the United States. The program's commentators are all Malagasy journalists from different media outlets. During the program, they declared that the international community is biased and complicit with President Ravalomanana in the current situation. "Diplomats have interests here because they live comfortably in Madagascar and neglect the population's poverty." The commentators criticized the international community for backing "legality" now, but during President's Ravalomanana's administration have not asked him to respect the "so-called legality." 3) A particularly incendiary comment noted that "Americans and French should not interfere in Madagascar's affairs. People in Antsahavola (the area in the city where the Chancery is located) complain about the security measures. You have to pass by their barrier and have to be searched again before being allowed to enter the Embassy because its theirs. But this is our own affair, so why do they interfere in it? French Schools and the American School have always been spared as of now but France and the U.S.'s attitude indirectly oblige people to hit them. Diplomacy is the art of hypocrisy. It's enough and should stop now because it does not contribute to the population's well-being." Marquardt