MAURITIUS ON RETURN TO CONSTITUTIONAL RULE IN MADAGASCAR

C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT LOUIS 000118


AF/E FOR MARIA BEYZEROV

E.O. 12958: DECL: (####)
TAGS: AORC EAID PGOV PREL MA MP
SUBJECT: MAURITIUS ON RETURN TO CONSTITUTIONAL RULE IN MADAGASCAR

REF: STATE 35767

Classified by Charge Virginia Blaser for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) On April 13, CDA met with Mauritian Foreign Minister (FM),
Arvin Boollel, to discuss reftel points. The FM commented that while
Mauritius concurs with the need to push for new elections in
Madagascar, the GOM prefers working under the IOC model and plan,
even while noting that it is "known to be French-influenced." The
timetables preferred by other international partners, most
specifically the push to have new elections within six months, is
seen as "impractical" by the Mauritian FM. He opined that before
elections are held, all the international organizations need to
"kick start the election process by reconciling all the
stakeholders, including the political parties, the military, and the
church."


2. (C) CDA asked what role Mauritius could or would be willing to
play within the IOC, AU or SADC to add pressure on Madagascar for
rapid elections, and the FM was noncommittal. He raised the GOM's
care toward their "small but influential business community in
Madagascar" and the need to protect their interests.


3. (C) Following up on the FM/CDA meeting, on April 15 acting DCM
made reftel points to Ambassador Patrice Cure, Head of the
Multilateral Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Generally, Ambassador Cure's response mirrored that of the Foreign
Minister. Cure told A/DCM that Mauritius is committed to ensuring
that Madagascar holds elections and returns to constitutional
legality. "We have no double standard," he said, despite the fact
that "we have a lot of business in Madagascar." Pressure from
Mauritius is needed and will be exerted, he added. Cure cautioned,
however, that "a totally judgmental approach might be
counter-productive" to gaining democratic elections.


4. (C) With the current conditions in Madagascar, its size, and
its level of development, Cure said more than six months may be
needed to organize elections. Even when pressed, like the FM, Cure
would not commit to a Mauritian preferred time frame for new
elections in Madagascar. Cure noted that Mauritius would continue
to work to pressure Madagascar's government through the AU, SADC,
and the IOC. He expressed concern that the U.S. might feel that
France had a great deal of influence with the IOC, and might have
its own agenda toward Madagascar. He believes the current regime in
Madagascar has no objections to international monitoring when
elections are held.


5. (C) Comment: Mauritius once again appears unlikely to get ahead
of its neighbors regarding internal affairs of another African
nation. In this case, Mauritius' business ties with Madagascar
reinforce its habit of not taking strong stands.

BLASER