Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PARIS342
2009-03-10 15:38:00
SECRET
Embassy Paris
Cable title:
MADAGASCAR: FRANCE OFFERS REFUGE TO MAYOR,
how-toVZCZCXRO5344 OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO DE RUEHFR #0342 0691538 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 101538Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY PARIS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5712 INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY 2536 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE PRIORITY
S E C R E T PARIS 000342
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/10/2019
TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV MA FR
SUBJECT: MADAGASCAR: FRANCE OFFERS REFUGE TO MAYOR,
ARCHBISHOP TO TAKE HIM IN
Classified By: Political Officer Gregory D'Elia, 1.4 (b/d).
S E C R E T PARIS 000342
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/10/2019
TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV MA FR
SUBJECT: MADAGASCAR: FRANCE OFFERS REFUGE TO MAYOR,
ARCHBISHOP TO TAKE HIM IN
Classified By: Political Officer Gregory D'Elia, 1.4 (b/d).
1. (C) MFA Madagascar deskoff Beatrice Lederle on March 10
confirmed that Antananarivo Mayor Rajoelina had obtained
refuge with the GOF on March 6 and had been housed at the
French Ambassador's Residence since then. Lederle said that
the French hoped to transfer Rajoelina to the custody of the
Archbishop of Antananarivo on March 11, if not during the
evening of March 10.
2. (S) Lederle said that Rajoelina's presence at the
Residence came in dramatic fashion. She said that President
Ravalomanana had ordered Rajoelina's arrest on March 5.
However, Lederle said that the French obtained information
indicating that Ravalomanana had verbally ordered that
security forces were authorized to kill Rajoelina if he
resisted arrest.
3. (C) According to Lederle, Rajoelina on March 6, while
being pursued, stormed his way into the vehicle of the French
Charge d'Affaires, who had no choice but to allow him into
the vehicle. "If we hadn't, he could have been killed right
in front of us," Lederle said. Rajoelina was then taken to
the Residence, where he has been ever since.
4. (C) The French kept quiet about this until today (March
10). The Government, although aware of Rajoelina's presence
at the French Residence, chose not to mention this publicly
as well. Lederle said that the French worked to find another
place for Rajoelina, not wanting to risk the potential harm
that could arise if the public learned that they were
sheltering Rajoelina (although this was not by choice,
Lederle reminded). Eventually the Archbishop said that he
would assume care of Rajoelina. Transfer could not be
effected on March 10 because of crowds around the French
Embassy but would take place on March 11, or later on March
10 if conditions permit. Lederle said that the crowds around
the French Embassy were not that big and that the media had
exaggerated the situation during the course of March 10.
5. (C) Lederle hoped that the incident would pass without
further consequences. She expressed frustration with the
overall situation in Madagascar and the limited means
available to outside parties to influence events. The two
sides had few alternatives to talking through their
differences but, unfortunately, the international community
had little leverage over them. Lederle said that she would
keep us informed as appropriate.
PEKALA
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/10/2019
TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV MA FR
SUBJECT: MADAGASCAR: FRANCE OFFERS REFUGE TO MAYOR,
ARCHBISHOP TO TAKE HIM IN
Classified By: Political Officer Gregory D'Elia, 1.4 (b/d).
1. (C) MFA Madagascar deskoff Beatrice Lederle on March 10
confirmed that Antananarivo Mayor Rajoelina had obtained
refuge with the GOF on March 6 and had been housed at the
French Ambassador's Residence since then. Lederle said that
the French hoped to transfer Rajoelina to the custody of the
Archbishop of Antananarivo on March 11, if not during the
evening of March 10.
2. (S) Lederle said that Rajoelina's presence at the
Residence came in dramatic fashion. She said that President
Ravalomanana had ordered Rajoelina's arrest on March 5.
However, Lederle said that the French obtained information
indicating that Ravalomanana had verbally ordered that
security forces were authorized to kill Rajoelina if he
resisted arrest.
3. (C) According to Lederle, Rajoelina on March 6, while
being pursued, stormed his way into the vehicle of the French
Charge d'Affaires, who had no choice but to allow him into
the vehicle. "If we hadn't, he could have been killed right
in front of us," Lederle said. Rajoelina was then taken to
the Residence, where he has been ever since.
4. (C) The French kept quiet about this until today (March
10). The Government, although aware of Rajoelina's presence
at the French Residence, chose not to mention this publicly
as well. Lederle said that the French worked to find another
place for Rajoelina, not wanting to risk the potential harm
that could arise if the public learned that they were
sheltering Rajoelina (although this was not by choice,
Lederle reminded). Eventually the Archbishop said that he
would assume care of Rajoelina. Transfer could not be
effected on March 10 because of crowds around the French
Embassy but would take place on March 11, or later on March
10 if conditions permit. Lederle said that the crowds around
the French Embassy were not that big and that the media had
exaggerated the situation during the course of March 10.
5. (C) Lederle hoped that the incident would pass without
further consequences. She expressed frustration with the
overall situation in Madagascar and the limited means
available to outside parties to influence events. The two
sides had few alternatives to talking through their
differences but, unfortunately, the international community
had little leverage over them. Lederle said that she would
keep us informed as appropriate.
PEKALA