EAC CONVENED TO DISCUSS MALAGASY SECURITY FORCES

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANTANANARIVO 000092 DEPT FOR DS, D, P, M, S/CT, CA, AND INR DEPT FOR DS/AF/IP DEPT FOR DS/ITA/AF DEPT FOR AF/E E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/09/2027 TAGS: ASEC CASC MP PGOV PREL PTER MA SUBJECT: EAC CONVENED TO DISCUSS MALAGASY SECURITY FORCES FIRING ON OPPOSITION PROTESTERS AT THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE REF: STATE 103991 ¶1. (SBU) An Emergency Action Committee (EAC) Meeting, chaired by DCM Stromayer, was convened at the DCR, also the Alternate Command Center (ACC),on Sunday, February 8 to discuss the impact of Saturday's massacre at the Presidential Palace. In light of these events, the EAC met to review trip wires and discuss the current situation and the potential impact on the community. ¶2. (C) The EAC reviewed yesterday's event and shared information. On Saturday, February 7, at approximately 1444 local time, the Malagasy Presidential Guard opened fire on opposition protesters, a crowd estimated between 10,000-20,000, marching towards the palace. (Note: This downtown palace is little used by the Malagasy President and was unoccupied except by security forces.) This was especially disconcerting as the palace is located within a few blocks of the U.S. Embassy. At present, 50 are reported dead, 172 wounded and 100 hospitalized. Sunday was declared a day of mourning and another day of mourning, along with a viewing of the bodies of the fallen, will take place at Place 13 Mai on Monday at 10:00 am. It was noted that the French Embassy declared it would be closed on Monday given its proximity to scheduled gathering at Place 13 Mai. In addition, the French School decided to release their students four days early for their winter break. The EAC decided that it would be prudent to close the U.S. Embassy on Monday as well as it is also located near Monday's planned event. Both USAID and MCC will remain open as they are located at alternate locations, far from downtown. ¶3. (C) The Management Section expressed concerns about the continued disruption of flights to and from Madagascar. Air France has consolidated some of their flights claiming that they are undersold. On Sunday, a flight from South Africa Airways was denied air space and thus landing, possibly due to an issue with the manifest. This is the second South African Air fight turned around in flight this week. In addition, a flight from Reunion was canceled. Even more disconcerting was Management's expressed concern that from day to day, they are have difficulty obtaining flight schedules, accurate information and notice of cancellations. They are continually chasing rumors of cancellations which is compounded by the fact that local Air France and Air Madagascar offices are frequently out of contact. Management admitted that they have no clear understanding of the recent flight patterns. The Ambassador instructed them to contact the DG's from the four major airline companies on Monday for a better appreciation of their scheduling. ¶4. (C) The GSO informed the committee that the previous night, on the return from an airport run, the embassy armored vehicle was hit by stones thrown at it. The area where the incident occurred is less than two miles from the embassy residential area. It is unclear as to whether the vehicle was targeted because of its CD status or was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. RSO noted no significant damage to the vehicle. ¶5. (C) The Director of the Peace Corps (PC) noted that PC headquarters is considering evacuation of all Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) from the island if circumstances do not improve. Currently, the 124 PCVs are consolidated at 13 different points and they are in the process of continuing to reduce the points by four. RSO noted that the UN was contemplating moving to "Phase III" in light of the Saturday's events. Many private and non-profit companies have provided R&Rs for non-essential staff and family members to either Mauritius or to the U.S., but have not chosen to evacuate per se. ¶6. (C) The DCM reviewed the tripwires and discussed the community's thoughts on authorized departure. Although it was noted that we are indeed crossing tripwires for authorized departure, it is unclear if the members of the American Embassy community want to depart at this time. In order to gather a true sense of the community's thoughts regarding possible departure, the DCM called for an official community town hall meeting Monday at the DCR. In addition, he sent an e-mail to all community members specifically asking for confirmation of who would be interested in leaving if we moved to an authorized departure at this time. ¶7. (C) RSO will send a separate e-mail to DS/IP/AF with all logistical and other requested information. MARQUARDT