ATT'S ANNIVERSARY PRESS CONFERENCE: "NO KIDDING,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BAMAKO 000402 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PTER PINR KDEM ML SUBJECT: ATT'S ANNIVERSARY PRESS CONFERENCE: "NO KIDDING, NO THIRD TERM" REF: BAMAKO 00387 1.(SBU) Summary: In what has become an annual tradition, Malian President Amadou Toumani Toure held a press conference on June 8, 2009, the 7th anniversary of his first inauguration as President of Mali. President Toure called for greater regional cooperation in countering Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM),and highlighted domestic issues including projects under his Program for Economic and Social Development and his support for the Office of the Auditor General. Toure also took the opportunity of the press conference to state unambiguously that not only will he not be a candidate for president in 2012, but that he was in fact anxious for his current term to end so that he can return to a simpler life. End Summary. -------------- On Hostages -------------- 3.(SBU) While praising the apparent end of the Tuareg rebellion earlier this year, President Toure acknowledged that northern Mali remains besieged by a wide variety of lawless forces, from bandits trafficking in drugs, cigarettes and people, to the Salafist terrorist group Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). Toure touted Mali's contributions to the struggle against terrorism, citing arrests of numerous Salafists by Malian authorities. At the same time, Toure reiterated that AQIM is a regional problem, not just a Malian problem, and called once again for Mali's neighbors in the Sahel to join him in Bamako for a summit on security in the region. 4.(SBU) President Toure expressed regret that he was unable to secure the release of Edwin Dyer, the British hostage executed by AQIM at the end of May, and said he would work tirelessly to secure the release of the remaining hostage, a Swiss citizen held since January 22. At the same time, Toure ruled out the possibility of any military action to secure the Swiss citizen's release, stating simply that no one knew where the hostage was being held. Moreover, Toure condemned the practice of paying ransoms to secure the release of hostages, noting that to do so would only encourage AQIM to continue its newly profitable activity. Toure implied that Mali's partner countries had not paid ransoms, and specified that Mali had not contributed "one cent" to a ransom for the release of any hostages. -------------- Challenges and Accomplishments -------------- 5.(SBU) President Toure acknowledged that the past year had witnessed dramatic increases in the price of basic consumer goods, and highlighted government steps to eliminate duties on food and gasoline and raise civil service salaries. Turning to developments under his Program for Economic and Social Development (PDES),he proudly listed work on Bamako's third bridge, the new freight terminal at Bamako's airport, the extension of the airport in Kayes, the Millenium Challenge Corporation's irrigation project in Alatona, new hospitals in Mopti, Sikasso, and Bamako, and the construction of a five-star hotel. He touted Mali's progress during his presidency in reducing its internal and external debt, although some critics noted that most of this reduction came in the form of debt forgiveness, rather than fiscal discipline on the government's part. He expressed his support for the beleagured Auditor General, Sidi Sosso Diarra, despite an external audit recommending the elimination of that office. -------------- No Third Term -------------- 10.(SBU) With opposition media having flooded their pages with speculative and sometimes accusatory articles asserting that President Toure is preparing to try to remain for a third presidential term after 2012, the President used June 8 as an opportunity to refute the speculation unambiguously. In answer to a direct question, President Toure stated clearly that he would not/not be a candidate. Specifically, he said, "The Constitution of Mali is very clear. It will be respected." Toure then added that he is, in fact, impatient for his current term to end, because he is eager to return to a simpler life, including praying at the mosque in his home town of Mopti, and enjoying time with his granchildren. In a possible allusion to Niger's Mamadou Tandja or Algeria's Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Toure underscored, "we do not want our assessment (of the constitutional limits on seeking a third BAMAKO 00000402 002 OF 002 term) to embarrass certain countries who are themselves facing particular situations. We are not trying to go to the head of the class." Then, adding a humorous note to his answer, Toure noted that the Presidency was a difficult job, and "you (Malians) are difficult to lead." Toure expressed wonderment that the question of a third term continued to arise, and asked rhetorically why no one believes him when he says he is not interested in a third term. 11.(SBU) President Toure's promise not to seek a third term made the front page of nearly every Bamako newspaper on Tuesday, June 9. Reaction has generally been positive, although some articles - and readers commenting online - have noted that President Toure waited until literally the last moment to announce his candidacy in 2002 and his bid for re-election in 2007. The failed to note, however, that in both cases there was no constitutional impediment to his candidacy. -------------- Comment: Drawing a line in the sand -------------- 12.(SBU) There is no reason not to take President Toure at his word. It would have been very simple for Toure to meekly suggest that those who have suggested a third term do not speak for him. Instead, the President went out of his way to speak unequivocally on the subject, and to state clearly that he will not be on the ballot in 2012. It may be that Toure is attempting to draw a line in the sand; that if he presents the question of Mali's democratic legal framework as clear, and a third term as unthinkable and impossible, he will succeed in pushing all Malians to see it the same way. MILOVANOVIC