MALAGASY AMBASSADOR MAKES PITCH FOR REINSTATEMENT

UNCLAS STATE 045029

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM MA
SUBJECT: MALAGASY AMBASSADOR MAKES PITCH FOR REINSTATEMENT
OF RAVALOMANANA


1. Summary: Dr. Denis Andriamandroso Madagascar's Ambassador
to South Africa met with Acting A/S Carter to make the case
for reinstatement of former President Marc Ravalomanana. The
Ambassador acknowledged that Ravalomanana had made mistakes
in his handling of the demonstrations leading to his ouster
and would be willing to hold new elections in the near term.
He warned against danger of a solution imposed by the
international community. Acting A/S Carter made clear that
the United States does not believe reinstatement is feasible
or desirable and that the best way to restore constitutional
rule is for Ravalomanana and other interested parties, to
engage in the UN-led process with a view to holding elections
before the end of 2009. End Summary.


2. On April 29, Acting A/S Philip Carter met with Dr. Denis
Andriamandroso Madagascar's Ambassador to South Africa and
Jocelyn Radifera, Ambassador to the United States, at their
request. Ambassador Andriamandroso had been sent to the
United States by former President Ravalomanana to advocate on
behalf of reinstatement. The Ambassador embarked on a
lengthy discourse outlining the former president's economic
development achievements and the imperative of respect for
the constitution. He acknowledged that the former president
had made mistakes in how he handled the voices of
dissatisfaction and demonstrations in the months leading to
his ouster. The bottom line was that Ambassador
Andriamandroso was arguing for the United States to support
reinstatement of Ravalomanana who would then be willing to
have elections in near term. He said the resignation was an
act taken in emergency circumstances and should not be seen
as irreversible. He said it was wrong to put Rajoelina and
Ravalomanana on equal footing in looking at the way forward
as that would undermine respect for the constitution and
simply empower those who may wish to destabilize the country
in the future. He also emphasized the importance of
listening to the people currently demonstrating and risking
their lives in support of Ravalomanana and warned against
danger of a solution imposed by the international community.


3. Acting A/S Carter made it clear that we do not see
Rajoelina as a legitimate leader but also said reinstatement
of Ravalomanana is a non-starter. He said we need to look
beyond that to a process of reconciliation and free and fair
elections. He outlined the USG position:
-- Ravalomanana and TIM need to join the dialogue taking
place under the auspices of the UN;
-- the UN is natural focal point since it was there before
during and after Ravalomanana resigned;
-- the goal of the process should be organization of
elections under auspices of an independent entity, probably
the UN;
-- we do not support changing the constitution before
elections; a legitimate government needs to be in place
before it is reviewed;
-- no former president or Rajoelina should have any role in
overseeing the election; the question of who will be able to
contest it is a separate decision for the Malagasy to make
(although given our view that existing constitution should be
basis of election, Rajoelina would be ruled out);
-- elections need not necessarily begin with presidential
elections; the country could conceivably start with
parliamentary or other elections as a first step to new
presidential elections.
CLINTON