POLAND: SUPPORTS US ON MADAGASCAR

C O N F I D E N T I A L WARSAW 000405 SIPDIS AF/E FOR MARIA BEYZEROV E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/15/2019 TAGS: EAID PGOV AORC SZ FR NO MA PREL PL SUBJECT: POLAND: SUPPORTS US ON MADAGASCAR REF: STATE 35809 Classified By: ACTING POLITICAL COUNSELOR CRAIG M. CONWAY FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (C) Benedykt Pasik, a counselor in the MFA's Department of Africa and the Middle East, told us that Poland generally backs U.S. policy on Madagascar. While refraining from officially labeling Andry Rajoelina's actions a coup, Pasik said the GOP supports halting all EU assistance to the current regime, excluding humanitarian assistance that would flow to the citizens of Madagascar. He indicated that Poland has little direct influence on Madagascar beyond a few million euros in trade. Poland, however, has been active in the European Council's Africa Working Group and uses it as a forum to shape the EU's Madagascar policy. ¶2. (C) Turning to France's desire to continue pre-coup programs, Pasik said Polish views differ from "France's old colonial policy. We will express those views in our talks with the French." Pasik warned that as a body representing some former colonial powers, the EU's credibility is running thin in Africa. As a result, the U.S. and EU will need to empower the African Union to "ensure adherence to democratic standards" in Africa. He also cautioned that while Poland supports holding an election as early as possible, "we need to be careful that Rojoelina does not use it as a tool to legitimize his claim to the presidency." ASHE