URGING EARLY RETURN TO CONSTITUTIONAL RULE IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 035809


E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/09/2019
TAGS: AORC EAID PGOV SZ NO MA
SUBJECT: URGING EARLY RETURN TO CONSTITUTIONAL RULE IN
MADAGASCAR

REF: ANTANANARIVO 258

Classified By: AF A/S Phil Carter, reasons 1.4(b) and (d)


1. This is an action request. Please see paragraph 2.

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OBJECTIVES
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2. Department requests embassies in European Union (EU)
member states, Oslo and Bern to demarche host governments at
the highest appropriate level prior to the launch of the
EU,s "political dialogue8 with the Andry Rajoelina coup
regime in Madagascar on April 16 to pursue the following
objectives:

Support for the African Union

-- Express appreciation for the EU,s strong statements
against the illegal transfer of power in Madagascar.

-- Note USG support for the African Union,s (AU) statements
on this matter, including its suspension of Madagascar for an
initial six month period, its call for early elections, its
intention to form an International Contact Group to
coordinate international community action to ensure a return
to constitutional rule, and its rejection of the Rajoelina
regime,s proposed October 2010 election timetable.

-- Urge the EU to press for new elections in Madagascar as
soon as possible, preferably before the end of 2009.

-- Note that the U.S. strongly supports the AU,s efforts to
restore constitutional rule on Madagascar and urge the EU to
coordinate its efforts with the AU. The AU has demonstrated
leadership and courage in opposing coups. We must support
the AU, not undercut it.

Suspend Assistance to the Government

-- Emphasize that the USG considers the recent series of
events in Madagascar a military coup and as a result is
required by U.S. law to suspend all assistance programs that
directly benefit the Government of Madagascar (GOM) until a
democratically-elected government is in place.

-- Urge the governments of the EU to avoid any actions or
programs that would have the effect of legitimizing the
Rajoelina regime, including through assistance programs,
including budget support. Without coordinated international
pressure, the Rajoelina regime is unlikely to move quickly to
restore democracy

-- Share our hope that Madagascar will soon return to
democratic legitimacy and be able to continue its important
development activities with international community
participation.

-- Underscore that the global economic crisis is likely to
lead to greater social unrest and political instability in
Africa. In this environment, it is especially important that
coup plotters be deterred by strong and united international
action to condemn and punish regimes created by coups.
Failure to take firm, consistent and decisive action
endangers stability and democracy across the continent.

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BACKGROUND
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3. (SBU) After several months of opposition protests, failed
negotiations, and mutiny by the military,
democratically-elected President Ravalomanana issued a decree
March 17 that unconstitutionally passed his powers to the
highest-ranking military officers. These officers were in
turn forced by mutinous lower-ranking military officials to
transfer power to former Mayor Andry Rajoelina via another
unconstitutional decree.


4. (SBU) Rajoelina has declared himself &President of the
High Transition Authority,8 named a cabinet, disbanded the
National Assembly and the Senate, and pledged to hold
presidential elections in October 2010, following a
constitutional referendum and revision of the electoral code.
The AU has called for elections within six months, suspended
Madagascar from the organization and warned the AU may impose
sanctions if constitutional order is not quickly restored.
SADC has condemned the coup and has not recognized
Rajoelina,s government.


5. (U) The Department has determined that the recent change
of government in Madagascar amounts to a military coup and
therefore triggers the foreign assistance provisions of
section 7008 of the Department of State, Foreign Operations,
and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2009. Under Section
7008, we are legally required to suspend any aid programs
that finance directly any assistance to the GOM.


6. (SBU) Although many other donors in Madagascar are still
deliberating on the future of their assistance programs,
several have moved to suspend support to the GOM. The
notable exception is France, which intends to continue all
functioning pre-coup programs without interruption; with
France leading the upcoming EU &political dialogue8
launching April 16 with the Rajoelina regime, the EU will
likely be under pressure to follow the French lead (ref.)


7. (C) We understand the French are trying to include the
Swiss and Norwegians in the EU "political dialogue8 but the
Norwegians have some real hesitation about being dragged
along by the French.


8. (U) The Department greatly appreciates assistance and
engagement from posts on this issue. Please report results of
the effort via front-channel cable AF/E, no later than OOB
EDT Wednesday, April 15.


9. (U) Please contact AF/E Maria Beyzerov at (202) 647-6453
or via email for any additional information required to meet
our objectives.
CLINTON