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.

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MAYOR'S RADIO STATION CRITICIZES INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
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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