LETTER: FMR PRES RATSIRAKA TO SECRETARY CLINTON ON AGOA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANTANANARIVO 000857 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/E MARIA BEYZEROV STATE PLEASE PASS USTR FOR CHAMILTON AND WJACKSON PARIS FOR WALLACE BAIN LONDON FOR PETER LORD TREASURY FOR AIERONIMO AND FBOYE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MA SF SUBJECT: LETTER: FMR PRES RATSIRAKA TO SECRETARY CLINTON ON AGOA REF: 09 ANTANANARIVO 844 ¶1. (U) Below is the full text of a letter regarding AGOA from former Malagasy President Didier Ratsiraka to Secretary Clinton, delivered to Post by fax on December 12. The original fax, written in English, will be delivered via email to AF/E. [BEGIN TEXT] FROM: Mr. Didier Ratsiraka Former President of the Republic of Madagascar TO: H.E. Mrs. Hillary R. Clinton Secretary of State Washington D.C. United States of America Paris, December 12, 2009 Your Excellency, Madam Secretary, As you may be aware, it was during my tenure as President of the Republic of Madagascar, from 1997 to 2002, that Madagascar had the honor of entering the African Growth & Opportunity Act (AGOA) program, initially known as the Africa Bill, enacted by President Clinton. I feel like the father of Madagascar's access to this critically important program and that is the reason why I take the liberty to write to you on this matter on behalf of the Malagasy people. To date, the AGOA has been a significant driver of economic development and a vital source of much-needed employment for hundreds of thousands of my fellow countrymen. That is why I am pained to learn that a decision to suspend Madagascar as an AGOA beneficiary could be taken as early as December 15. The effects of the global crisis and the current political instability in our nation have already been devastating to our country. The impact of a decision to remove Madagascar from the AGOA program would put 300,000 jobs in jeopardy and could potentially lead to further social and economic hardship for our people. Your Excellency, Madam Secretary, I can assure you that there are a number of political leaders, myself included, who are committed to democracy and who are working diligently to address the political challenges that have delayed the establishment of our transitional government and the associated institutions that will be put in place in preparation for a free, fair and democratic national election. It is our goal that these challenges will be resolved within the next 30 days. That is why I am writing to you to kindly request that any decision regarding Madagascar's AGOA status be postponed for at least 30 days. Our efforts to put a transitional government in place are in accordance with the agreements between the major political parties that were signed in Maputo and Addis Ababa. Under those agreements, we will establish a government committed to getting the national economy moving once again and to improving the quality of life of our 20 million people. We endeavor that it will also be a government committed to democratic principles. The AGOA program is vitally important to Madagascar and it is a privilege that we will not squander. It plays a major role in our economy and we are committed to honoring the guidelines under which it is granted. I would like you to be so good as to accept, Your Excellency Madam Secretary, along with my appreciation and gratitude to you and the people of the United States of America, the assurance of my highest and faithful consideration. //signature// Didier Ratsiraka [END TEXT] ANTANANARI 00000857 002 OF 002 MARQUARDT