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| Identifier | Subject | Date | Office | Classification | Tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06ANTANANARIVO1122 |
TEST-RETURNING EXILE RAISES TENSION IN MADAGASCAR [...] (C) SUMMARY. The planned return to Madagascar of an exiled political leader, Pierrot Rajaonarivelo, has the potential to trigger unrest in some parts of the country. Rajaonarivelo, a former Vice Prime Minister and the Secretary General of the AREMA Party, has been tried and sentenced in abs [...] |
2006-10-06 11:35:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC CASC MA PGOV PREL |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1134 |
TEST-2 RETURNING EXILE RAISES TENSION IN MADAGASCAR [...] (C) SUMMARY. The planned return to Madagascar of an exiled political leader, Pierrot Rajaonarivelo, has the potential to trigger unrest in some parts of the country. Rajaonarivelo, a former Vice Prime Minister and the Secretary General of the AREMA Party, has been tried and sentenced in absen [...] |
2006-10-06 12:36:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC CASC MA PGOV PREL |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1136 |
TEST-2 RETURNING EXILE RAISES TENSION IN MADAGASCAR [...] (C) SUMMARY. The planned return to Madagascar of an exiled political leader, Pierrot Rajaonarivelo, has the potential to trigger unrest in some parts of the country. Rajaonarivelo, a former Vice Prime Minister and the Secretary General of the AREMA Party, has been tried and sentenced in absen [...] |
2006-10-06 12:58:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC CASC MA PGOV PREL |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1142 |
THWARTED RETURN OF EXILE RAISES POLITICAL TENSIONS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The low-level political tension in Madagascar continues after the Government of Madagascar (GoM) closed a coastal airport on Saturday, October 7 to prevent the return of exiled political leader Pierrot Rajaonarivelo from Paris via Riunion. RajaonariveloQs supporters have peacefu [...] |
2006-10-10 14:59:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ASEC CASC MA |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1157 |
OFFICIAL RESPONSE FROM MADAGASCAR ON NORTH KOREAN NUCLEAR [...] The Government of Madagascar officially responded to reftel demarche via facsimile of diplomatic note No. 561-AE/M/NV/DCM, dated 12 October 2006. Informal translation of the text of the diplomatic note follows: BEGIN TEXT OF DIPLOMATIC NOTE: ------------------------------ MINISTRY OF FO [...] |
2006-10-13 10:24:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PARM KNNP KN MA |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1162 |
MADAGASCAR AND IMF DISAGREE ON INVESTMENT LAW [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. A September 20-October 4 Mission from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) found Madagascar largely compliant with the terms of its Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) and praised the Government of Madagascar (GOM) for appropriate use of its debt relief windfall. The [...] |
2006-10-16 13:59:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ECON EAID EINV PREL IMF MA |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1177 |
Comoros on Guatemala for the UNSC [...] (SBU) After repeated attempts throughout the day, Charge was unable to contact a senior official of the Union of the Comoros to discuss the UNGA vote on membership on the UNSC as requested in Ref A. President Sambi is apparently traveling in Saudi Arabia and will not return to Comoros until [...] |
2006-10-18 13:32:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL UNSC GT VE CN |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1186 |
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES SET IN MADAGASCAR [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: On October 18, Madagascar's High Constitutional Court (HCC) officially approved 14 out of 18 candidates for the upcoming December 3 presidential election. The HCC rejected controversial candidate Pierrot Rajaonarivelo because his application did not comply with Malagasy law reg [...] |
2006-10-19 13:44:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM PINR MA |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1190 |
Comoros on Guatemala for the UNSC [...] (SBU) On October 21, upon the return from Saudi Arabia of Ahmed Abdallah Sambi, President of the Union of the Comoros, DCM spoke to him by telephone to convey Ref A demarche regarding the vote for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). 2. (SBU) Based on the most [...] |
2006-10-23 12:52:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL UNSC GT VE MA |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1220 |
UPDATED INFORMATION REGARDING THE PLANE CRASH IN TULIARA, [...] At approximately 0415 on Wednesday morning, October 25, a small, private plane crashed shortly after take-off in Tuliara (also known as Tolear), a coastal city in southwestern Madagascar. All six persons (two crew members and four passengers) on board died. The crew members have been identif [...] |
2006-10-26 14:49:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAIR ECON ETRN MA |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1261 |
MADAGASCAR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES VENT TO DONORS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: All but one of Madagascar's 14 presidential candidates, or their representatives, met foreign donors assisting Madagascar's electoral process on November 7. President Ravalomanana's representative, Minister of Education Haja Nirina Razafinjatoro, did not speak. All other candi [...] |
2006-11-08 12:41:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL EAID MA |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1269 |
PRE-CAMPAIGN RHETORIC HEATS UP IN MADAGASCAR [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: With three days to go before the official presidential campaign season kicks off November 12, Ambassador McGee has individually met 11 of the 14 candidates. The pre-election rhetoric is heating up among the presidential hopefuls but, with a few notable exceptions, most have fai [...] |
2006-11-09 13:56:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PINR MA |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1280 |
Operational Plan Points of Contact for Madagascar and the [...] Embassy Antananarivo submits the following contact information for the Operational Plan for both Madagascar and the Union of the Comoros: 2. For Madagascar: Administrator: Henderson M. Patrick Mission Director USAID +261-20-22-539-20 HPatrick@usaid.gov Alternate: Robert Rhod [...] |
2006-11-15 12:17:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID PREL KSPR CN MA |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1281 |
Madagascar Embraces President's Malaria Initiative [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. The Government of Madagascar (GOM) is fully engaged and ready to participate in the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI). Jean Louis Robinson, Minister of Health and Family Planning expressed enthusiasm, stating that the GOM is eager and willing to work in partnership with U.S [...] |
2006-11-15 13:30:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID CN MA |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1289 |
President Ravalomanana Launches Madagascar Action Plan [...] (SBU) In a cleverly-timed publicity event November 10 -- two days before other candidates could officially campaign -- President Ravalomanana unveiled his Madagascar Action Plan (MAP) to media, GOM officials, donors, and others at Antananarivo's main sports stadium (ref A). The "MAP" is the G [...] |
2006-11-17 05:37:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM EAID ECON SENV PINR MA |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1297 |
FORMER GENERAL ATTEMPTS "COUP" ACTION [...] (SBU) Former Army General Andrianafidisoa, also known as General Fidy, and 12 to 20 supporters made an unsuccessful attempt at a military coup from November 17 to 18 in Madagascar's capital of Antananarivo. Early November 17, General Fidy and supporters -- officers, enlisted, and militia known [...] |
2006-11-18 10:32:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM PINR ASEC CASC MA |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1301 |
GENERAL FIDY STILL AT LARGE AFTER COUP ATTEMPT [...] No summary [...] |
2006-11-20 12:41:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM PINR ASEC CASC MA |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1304 |
GENERAL FIDY STILL AT LARGE AFTER COUP ATTEMPT [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. Antananarivo is calm and quiet in the wake of the failed weekend coup attempt although the "coup" leader, General Fidy, remains in hiding and in occasional contact with the press. Fidy appears to have grossly over-reached as few military officers rallied to his cause. During hi [...] |
2006-11-20 13:51:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM PINR ASEC CASC MA |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1307 |
INTER-ISLAND TENSION THREATENS COMOROS' UNITY [...] (C) SUMMARY: Officials of the Government of the Union of the Comoros (GOC) expressed anxiety to the Ambassador, during his November 2006 visit, that the tension between the Union and Anjouan Island Governments could split the fragile union. Efforts by the forward-looking Sambi government to pr [...] |
2006-11-21 12:26:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR EAID KISL CN |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1309 |
AMBASSADOR MCGEE MEETS WITH PRESIDENT SAMBI OF [...] No summary [...] |
2006-11-21 13:57:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | CN EAID KISL MA OPDC PGOV PINR PREL |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1333 |
Central Bank Issues Monetary Policy Statement [...] The Central Bank ran a short public announcement in several newspapers November 25 outlining monetary policy for the third quarter of 2006 (informal translation in para 3). According to International Monetary Fund (IMF) Resident Representative Pierre van den Boogaerde, the Central Bank's pres [...] |
2006-11-29 09:55:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | EFIN ECON PGOV MA |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1334 |
Ravalomanana Leads in the Home Stretch [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: In the last stretch of the campaign season, only a handful of the 14 presidential candidates have any real hopes of making a showing in the December 3 polls. The five main contenders are waging all-out campaigns around the country, with incumbent President Ravalomanana in the l [...] |
2006-11-29 12:50:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR MA |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1348 |
MADAGASCAR CALM ON THE EVE OF ELECTION WEEKEND [...] (U) In early afternoon the last day of the campaign, except for 30,000 supporters who filled the stadium in Antananarivo to see President/candidate Marc Ravalomanana, the rest of Madagascar appears to be calm and quiet. Campaign rallies in different cities are expected to continue into tonight [...] |
2006-12-01 10:51:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR MA |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1350 |
Frustration in Comoros Over Unpaid Teacher Salaries [...] (U) Frustrated Comoran teachers who are owed more than four months of back salaries recently marched in Moroni, demanding to be paid before returning to the classroom. Union President Sambi and Grand Comore Island President El-Bak met with teachers' representatives to seek a compromise. At t [...] |
2006-12-05 05:05:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL EAID KDEM KISL CN |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1351 |
ELECTION DAY CALM, PRESIDENT IN THE LEAD [...] (U) SUMMARY: A calm and relatively orderly presidential election December 3 was marred by just one incident of ballot tampering in the south. Turnout appears to have been strong and very preliminary results have President Marc Ravalomanana in the lead, with over 50 percent of the vote, despi [...] |
2006-12-05 05:05:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR MA |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1363 |
SUDAN - MADAGASCAR ATTENDING AFCARPAC, AGREES TO [...] Madagascar Minister of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Marcel Ranjeva has departed for Sudan, but is attending the conference alone according to the most senior official available at the MFA. DCM Sibley conveyed points provided in reftel to Secretary General Jean Pierre Rakotonirina. SecGen promised [...] |
2006-12-06 14:47:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PINS SOCI MA CN |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1364 |
HALF OF RESULTS IN, RAVALOMANANA HAS 61 PERCENT [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: President Ravalomanana has a comfortable lead of 61 percent with just over half of the polling stations reporting, but results to date are skewed toward his highland plateau base. While prospects for a first round victory appear strong, it will be several days before we can say [...] |
2006-12-06 15:17:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR MA |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1369 |
ELECTION DAY ATMOSPHERE IN TAMATAVE [...] (U) BACKGROUND: Madagascar is an island, but it is also a large and diverse country, home to 18 major tribal groups. There is considerable variation in the practice of democracy from region to region and between urban and rural voters; a fact quite apparent in the December 3 presidential elec [...] |
2006-12-07 15:03:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR MA |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1372 |
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS ALL BUT SEAL FIRST ROUND WIN [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: With 82 percent of polling stations unofficially reporting results to the Ministry of Interior, President-candidate Ravalomanana is very likely to have the absolute majority of votes needed to prevail in the first round. It will be several days before the High Constitutional Co [...] |
2006-12-08 11:18:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR MA |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1380 |
HIGH COURT MUST CERTIFY RAVALOMANANA VICTORY [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The unofficial Ministry of Interior vote count concluded December 10 with candidate and President Marc Ravalomanana winning 54.8 percent. On cue his nearest challenger, Jean Lahiniriko, publicly denounced the legitimacy of the election and made numerous claims of fraud. Police [...] |
2006-12-11 14:29:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR MA |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1389 |
RENEGADE GENERAL FIDY CAPTURED [...] (SBU) Mixed Police and Gendarmes forces arrested "coup" leader and renegade General Andrianafidisoa (Fidy) in Antananarivo the evening of December 12 (reftel). Media reports indicate General Fidy was surprised and did not resist. As a military suspect, Fidy is held by the Gendarmes Brigade i [...] |
2006-12-13 13:23:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM PINR ASEC CASC MA |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1398 |
OPPOSITION COMPLAINS; PRESIDENT FETES 57 YEARS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: With election documents received from all but two out of 116 regional offices, the High Constitutional Court (HCC) is steadily certifying the results from the December 3 presidential election. The High Court office in central Antananarivo remains open to candidates, journalists [...] |
2006-12-14 14:12:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR MA |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1410 |
INTER-ISLAND TENSION FLARES ANEW IN THE COMOROS [...] (SBU) The tension between the Union and Island governments of the Union of the Comoros is mounting in the run-up to Island presidential elections anticipated for March 2007. Union President Sambi met in Moroni the week of December 11 with the three Island Presidents to implement agreements de [...] |
2006-12-18 14:11:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM CN |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1413 |
AIRBUS WOOS AIR MAD, BUT BOEING PITCH REQUESTED [...] (U) This cable contains an Action Request for the Department in para 5. 2. (SBU) National carrier Air Madagascar, 80 percent owned by the Government of Madagascar and privately managed by Lufthansa Consulting, is considering a switch to Airbus equipment from Boeing when it renews its flee [...] |
2006-12-19 12:01:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAIR BEXP ECON EFIN PREL MA |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1416 |
GOM STRIVES FOR TIER ONE TIP STATUS [...] SUMMARY: Government of Madagascar (GOM) ministry representatives delivered comprehensive accounts of the year's activities at the semi-annual planning workshop of the Inter-Ministerial Committee to Combat Human Slavery and Trafficking in Persons (TIP). Presenters noted some failures in 2006, [...] |
2006-12-19 12:04:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KCRM SMIG ELAB MA |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1423 |
ANNUAL OSAC CRIME/SAFETY REPORT FOR MADAGASCAR/COMOROS [...] OVERALL CRIME AND SAFETY SITUATION: --------------------------------------- Crime occurs in Madagascar as it does in most major cities in the world. However, despite the continued impoverished economy Antananarivo has seen a decrease in violent crimes. Moreover, the recent successful Preside [...] |
2006-12-20 12:09:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC KSAC MA |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1425 |
PRESIDENT OFFERS LITTLE IN RESPONSE TO SEABOARD [...] (C) Ambassador delivered points (Ref A) about Seaboard's investment difficulty in Madagascar to President Ravalomanana December 19. The President interrupted the short demarche to blame the whole problem on Seaboard's Madagascar Director Armando Lopez. He claimed Lopez botched a deal in Angol [...] |
2006-12-20 12:29:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | EAGR ETRD KTDB PGOV AGOA MA |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1432 |
OFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS COMING DECEMBER 23 [...] (U) Madagascar's High Constitutional Court (HCC) has invited the diplomatic community, journalists and opposition candidates to the strategically-timed announcement of the official presidential election results December 23. Opposition candidates have filed nearly 25 procedural complaints at th [...] |
2006-12-22 05:08:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR MA |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1435 |
SAMBI WANTS INTERNATIONAL HELP TO END SECURITY "CRISIS" [...] (U) Comoran President Sambi met the diplomatic corps in Moroni to request international assistance to end the stand-off between the Union and Island Governments over division of security responsibilities (reftel). Media reports indicate Union officials want Island forces to be armed with polic [...] |
2006-12-22 09:09:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM CN |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1440 |
HIGH COURT OFFICIALLY DECLARES RAVALOMANANA VICTORY [...] (U) As expected reftel, on December 23 the High Constitutional Court (HCC) declared Marc Ravalomanana the first round winner of the presidential election with 54.79 percent of the vote. In its decree the HCC also confirmed that in addition to Ravalomanana, Jean Lahiniriko (second place with 1 [...] |
2006-12-26 10:50:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR MA |
| 06ANTANANARIVO1441 |
SAMBI DEMANDS UNION FORCES ACCESS IN ANJOUAN [...] (U) Comoran President Sambi held a rally in Mutsumudu, Anjouan, on December 25 telling supporters he would not leave until Island President Bacar authorized Union forces access at the sea port and airport. Sambi called on Anjouan Island forces to turn in their weapons to Union counterparts an [...] |
2006-12-26 10:52:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM CN |
| 06ANTANANARIVO177 |
Air Mad Privatization Delayed, Boeing Interest [...] (SBU) Air Madagascar Commercial Senior Vice President Andriamialisoa told EconOff February 14 that Air Madagascar, the national airline, would continue to be managed by Lufthansa Consulting for an additional two years. He confirmed a once-planned privatization date of May 2006 had been cance [...] |
2006-02-22 13:07:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAIR BEXP ECON EFIN PREL MA |
| 06ANTANANARIVO206 |
Slow Progress on Port Security; Limited Resources [...] Summary: After two productive visits to Madagascar by the United States Coast Guard International Port Liaison in 2005, the latest Port Security Advisory updated Madagascar's status to acknowledge steps taken at the main port, Tamatave. Minor international ports at Diego Suarez, Majunga, Tul [...] |
2006-03-02 08:40:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EWWT ECON PTER PREL MA |
| 06ANTANANARIVO364 |
Comoros Holds Primaries in Anjouan [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Awaiting official announcement by the Constitutional Court, the National Electoral Commission of the Union of the Comoros published interim results from the April 16 Presidential primary putting candidates Sambi, Ibrahim Halidi, and Djaanfari through to the second round. Thou [...] |
2006-04-18 14:05:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM CN |
| 06ANTANANARIVO390 |
Embassy Hosts Port Security Workshop to Draft Law [...] Summary: Embassy co-hosted an inter-Ministerial workshop with the GOM Ports Agency April 21 to draft implementing legislation for the International Ship Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. Following two productive missions by the U.S. Coast Guard in 2005(reftel), the main port at Tamatave ha [...] |
2006-04-24 13:24:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | EWWT ECON PTER PREL MA |
| 06ANTANANARIVO569 |
SUCCESSFUL PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION IN COMOROS [...] (U) This cable is the first of a three-part cable; it describes the inauguration of Union of the Comoros President Sambi, attended by the U.S. Presidential Delegation. The second cable describes the Delegation's meetings with and assessment of the new government. The third cable provides su [...] |
2006-05-31 13:41:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM OVIP ECON CN |
| 06ANTANANARIVO570 |
U.S. MEETS COMOROS' NEW LEADERSHIP [...] (U) This cable is the second of a three-part cable. The first describes the inauguration of President Sambi, attended by the U.S. Presidential Delegation. This cable describes the Delegation's meetings with and assessment of the new government. The third cable provides suggestions for U.S. [...] |
2006-05-31 13:42:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM OVIP ECON CN |
| 06ANTANANARIVO574 |
MADAGASCAR RESPONSE TO U.S. STATEMENT ON IRAN [...] (SBU) The Ambassador spoke to the President of Madagascar Marc Ravalomanana on June 1 to deliver Reftel talking points on the U.S. statement on Iran. Ravalomanana expressed support for the U.S. action and concern regarding Iranian pursuit of nuclear weapons. He added he would instruct his F [...] |
2006-06-02 04:41:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV IR MA |
| 06ANTANANARIVO595 |
IMF Insists GOM Cut Spending to Get New Program [...] (SBU) Summary: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Government of Madagascar (GOM) are on the cusp of completing a new program IF spending cuts can be achieved to bring the 2006 Budget into balance. If approved, the IMF would provide USD 80 million over three years. Fund "seal of appr [...] |
2006-06-07 09:50:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN PREL MA |
| 06ATANANARIVO1320 |
JOURNALISTS DENOUNCE "THREATS" TO PRESS FREEDOM [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Events stemming from the recent botched coup attempt (reftels A and B) have highlighted the question of freedom of the press in Madagascar. The Government of Madagascar's (GOM) heavy-handed attempts to manage media coverage of coup-plotter General Fidy's actions, alongside a st [...] |
2006-11-22 15:15:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM PHUM SCUL MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO100 |
COMOROS EAGER FOR BILATERAL TALKS WITH U.S. [...] SUMMARY. During meetings January 22-23 in the Union of the Comoros, PolEcon Chief and visiting Desk Officer laid the ground work for the first meeting of the U.S.-Comoros Joint Committee for Bilateral Cooperation. The Comoran officials expressed interest in discussing the African Growth and O [...] |
2007-01-31 13:18:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV EAID ECON ENRG KISL CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO1005 |
BOEING PRESENTATION WELL RECEIVED BY AIR MAD [...] (SBU) A perfectly-timed Boeing visit to Madagascar September 24-28 included a sales presentation for new long-haul aircraft to the Board of Directors of Air Madagascar. Consistent with President Ravalomanana's recent pledge to "keep Air Madagascar a Boeing airline," Board members were report [...] |
2007-10-01 10:02:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAIR BEXP ECON EFIN PREL MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO1016 |
Embassy's Third Annual Iftar Reception [...] The Ambassador and DCM hosted September 25 the Embassy's third annual Iftar reception in Antananarivo. Friends and contacts from Madagascar's diverse Muslim communities attended - Khoja, Sunni, Bohra, and Ismailis -- again expressing their appreciation for our hospitality. Interestingly, Mad [...] |
2007-10-05 03:19:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM SOCI PREL PGOV MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO102 |
INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN MADAGASCAR AND COMOROS [...] Per reftel, the following is Post's recommendation of the five most influential women in Madagascar and The Union of the Comoros. Post officer following women's issues in both countries is Silvana Rodriguez. She can be reached at (261) 20 22 21257, Ext 2409 or by email at RodriguezSD@state.gov [...] |
2007-02-01 12:40:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KWMN PREL PINR MA CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO1021 |
HILTON TO LEAVE MADAGASCAR [...] (U) SUMMARY: The Hilton Corporation confirmed that as of November 1 they will no longer manage the largest hotel in Madagascar. END SUMMARY. 2. (U) La Gazette, a local newspaper known for exaggeration, first reported the imminent departure of the Hilton. In typical sensationalist fashion, [...] |
2007-10-05 03:24:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EINV PGOV ECON MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO1034 |
HISTORIC SHIP VISIT WELL RECEIVED BY PRESIDENT [...] SUMMARY: The historic port call of the USS NORMANDY on the northern coastal city of Diego Suarez from September 29 through October 2, the first such formal ship visit to Madagascar since 1972, showcased greater U.S. engagement in Madagascar. President Ravalomanana's visit onboard the ship wa [...] |
2007-10-09 12:55:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL KDEM PINR MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO1035 |
ARRESTED MALAGASY MAYORS RECEIVE DUE PROCESS [...] The verdicts from the trials of two political opponents of President Ravalomanana were recently made public. After five months in pre-trial detention, former Mayor of Tamatave and presidential candidate Roland Ratsiraka (REF A) was acquitted October 4 of embezzlement of government funds and f [...] |
2007-10-10 03:49:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM ASEC MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO104 |
SENATOR RASAMOELY NAMED NEW CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR [...] The President on January 31 appointed Senator Frederick Rasamoely to be the new Governor of the Central Bank of Madagascar, replacing Gaston Ravelojaona who retires after 10 years as head of the Bank. Senator Rasamoely was previously the General Manager of Ny Havana Insurance Company and serv [...] |
2007-02-01 12:41:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV EFIN ECON MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO1056 |
COMORAN PRESIDENT SAMBI, "I WILL END ANJOUAN CRISIS OR [...] (U) This message includes an Action Request, see para 5. 2. (SBU) Celebrating the end of Ramadan October 13, Union of the Comoros President Ahmed Sambi made a public declaration that he would resolve the ongoing Anjouan crisis or resign. Reflecting on public opinion that he had accomplished [...] |
2007-10-15 09:05:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM MOPS EAID PHUM CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO1063 |
RULING PARTY VICTORIOUS IN LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS [...] (U) SUMMARY: The High Constitutional Court (HCC) announced October 13 the official results of the September 23 National Assembly elections: President Ravalomanana's "Tiako I Madagasikara" (TIM) party won 105 seats, others won 20 seats, and two elections were voided for irregularities. New el [...] |
2007-10-16 06:30:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM PINR MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO1083 |
TALKS BETWEEN COMORAN ISLAND LEADERS SEW CONFUSION [...] (C) SUMMARY: Grand Comore Island President Mohamed Abdouloihab's unannounced October 19 visit to Anjouan has Union Government officials irate and the international community confused. Anjouan authorities reportedly hope Abdouloihab's visit will be perceived as the first step toward official [...] |
2007-10-22 13:35:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM PHUM PINR CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO1085 |
FORMER PRIME MINISTER HEADS NATIONAL ASSEMBLY [...] (U) As expected, former Prime Minister and ruling "Tiako-i-Madagasikara" (TIM) party member Jacques Sylla was unanimously elected President of Madagascar's National Assembly October 23 at the body's opening session. The only candidate, Sylla was approved by all 124 deputies present, with the [...] |
2007-10-23 12:57:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM PINR MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO109 |
UPDATE ON THE MURDER OF MOHAMMED JAMAL KHALIFA [...] (U) Post is providing an update on the Mohammad Jamal Khalifa murder from a security and political standpoint. Below is an assessment by the Regional Security Officer (RSO) and the Political Office. 2. (S) On the security front, RSO continues to engage local Law Enforcement Officials concer [...] |
2007-02-05 13:54:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | SECRET | ASEC PTER MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO1099 |
MADAGASCAR NOMINATES INTERNATIONAL WOMEN OF COURAGE [...] Per reftel, Post nominates the following two candidates from Madagascar for the International Women of Courage Award. 2. Dr. Mathilde Rabary is the National President of the non-governmental organization (NGO) "S.O.S. to Human Rights Victims," Coordinator of the Mifohaza Center, and a form [...] |
2007-10-26 08:39:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KWMN PREL KPAO MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO1103 |
SECOND MALAGASY CABINET RESHUFFLE IN 2007 [...] (U) SUMMARY: President Marc Ravalomanana's October 27 cabinet reshuffle, the second of his current term in office, had few significant changes but portends some improvement in overall governance. Only three of the 19 Cabinet members are new to the government. Seven former ministers were dro [...] |
2007-10-29 12:51:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM PINR PBIO MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO1105 |
EASWIO II NEXT STEPS: MADAGASCAR [...] (U) Post response to reftel action request. 2. (SBU) Madagascar sent three personnel to the EASWIO conference held in Mombasa, Kenya. a. The delegates stated the following were most beneficial: - Communications with their other African counterparts; - Exchange of information; - U.S. [...] |
2007-10-30 10:30:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MARR PREL ECON EWWT MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO1114 |
DIPLOMATIC CORPS IN MORONI DISCUSSES CRISIS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The diplomatic corps in Moroni and Government of the Union of the Comoros were surprised by Grande Comore island president Abdouloihab's visit to Anjouan. The international community, led by the African Union (AU), is working to apply sanctions and encourage the Union Governm [...] |
2007-11-02 10:11:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM MOPS EAID PHUM CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO1131 |
GRENADE ATTACK ON PRESIDENT'S COMPANY IN TULEAR [...] (SBU) An early morning grenade attack on a MAGRO building, part of the TIKO conglomerate owned by President Marc Ravalomanana, slightly injured one gendarme and caused minor material damages November 5. Local security forces in the southwestern city of Tulear have launched an investigation to [...] |
2007-11-07 04:55:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM ASEC MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO1137 |
PRESIDENT EMPOWERS WOMEN, WARNS SEX TOURISTS [...] SUMMARY: October was a groundbreaking month for women in Madagascar. Following the designation of the first ever female Minister of Defense (REF A), President Ravalomanana kicked off the opening conference of the Presidential Initiative on Women and Leadership with a sweeping speech calling [...] |
2007-11-08 09:13:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM SOCI SCUL PINR PGOV MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO1147 |
COMOROS SANCTIONS UNDERWAY, BACAR NOT BACKING DOWN [...] (U) African Union (AU) sanctions, including a travel ban and the freezing of assets, against 145 persons on the island of Anjouan (ref) are underway in the Union of the Comoros. With contradicting dates in media reports, the AU confirmed sanctions started on October 20 and will run out 45 day [...] |
2007-11-09 08:58:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM MOPS PHUM CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO116 |
MCC CEO DANILOVICH VISITS MADAGASCAR [...] SUMMARY: MCC CEO Ambassador John J. Danilovich, accompanied by Catholic Relief Services President and MCC Board Member Kenneth Hackett assessed progress under Madagascar's Compact January 31 to February 2. President Ravalomanana committed to take immediate steps for the remediation needed on [...] |
2007-02-06 08:12:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID KMCA ECON PGOV PREL MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO1171 |
UNION PLEDGES NO ACTION AGAINST ANJOUAN BEFORE [...] (C) The people of the Union of the Comoros are on "standby" as the standoff with Anjouan continues. Union Government officials are committed to cooperating with the African Union (AU) to give sanctions against Anjouan (which will run out on November 24) a chance to work, but they will not wai [...] |
2007-11-16 08:23:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM MOPS PHUM CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO1173 |
COMOROS TOO INDEBTED FOR DEBT RELIEF [...] No summary [...] |
2007-11-16 10:01:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ECON PGOV PREL CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO1191 |
COMOROS, NEW MIDDLE EAST TOURISM DESTINATION? [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Recent press reports suggest a surge in tourism investment interest in the Comoros, most notably Dubai World and a Saudi delegation. While promising for the embattled Sambi government, the timing and certainty of most of these investments are unclear. Still, in a tiny impove [...] |
2007-11-26 13:30:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ECON PREL CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO1202 |
COMOROS SHELL BANKS ILLEGAL AND UNAUTHORIZED [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. "Just as the United States is not responsible for the criminals who manufacture counterfeit dollars, so the Comoros should not be blamed for criminals who market banking licenses when they lack the legal authority to issue them." With this argument, Vice Governor of the Centra [...] |
2007-11-28 12:50:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ECON PREL CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO1215 |
FORMER COMORAN PRESIDENT AZALI ON SAMBI'S MISCUES [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Former President Azali told the Ambassador the Union should negotiate with Anjouan's Colonel Bacar for the sole purpose of organizing elections on the island. Azali said President Sambi and the African Union had miscalculated in dealing with Bacar, but thought a solution was [...] |
2007-12-03 05:24:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV ECON CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO1216 |
WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOR UPDATE: MADAGASCAR AND [...] Post provides below updated information on the Worst Forms of Child Labor in Madagascar and the Union of the Comoros, keyed to questions in reftel, as available and appropriate. 2. Madagascar -------------- The Government of Madagascar continues to be a regional leader in combating chi [...] |
2007-12-03 13:49:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | ELAB EIND ETRD PHUM SOCI USAID PREL MA CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO1221 |
LIFE IN ANJOUAN UNDER COLONEL BACAR [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Reports from Anjouan, where EmbOffs have been unable to visit for six months, indicate life in limbo for most of the 240,000 people living there. There are unconfirmed reports that many opponents to Bacar, journalists, activists, intellectuals, and teachers, have been impriso [...] |
2007-12-04 04:55:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV ECON SOCI EAID CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO1227 |
COMOROS: HOPE REMAINS FOR A NEGOTIATED ANJOUAN [...] (C) I visited Moroni November 28-30 to take stock of political and economic developments there, and to pave the way for A/S Frazer,s December 22-23 visit there. This visit came in the immediate wake of the AU Peace and Security Council,s (PSC ) see reftel a) decision to extend Anjouan sanctio [...] |
2007-12-06 04:17:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ECON SOCI EAID CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO1231 |
MADAGASCAR MUNICIPAL ELECTION CAMPAIGNS UNDERWAY [...] (U) SUMMARY: Campaign season for Madagascar's December 12 municipal elections is well underway, with the ruling TIM party dominating throughout most of the country. As usual, the Government of Madagascar (GOM) is mobilizing at the highest levels to pitch in with the campaigns; ministers are s [...] |
2007-12-10 13:24:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM PINR MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO1236 |
BRINGING COMOROS INTO THE FOLD [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: As we look at the question of AGOA eligibility for Comoros, the two key interlocking issues are security and opportunity - and how each could be strengthened by AGOA. The Comoran people have a tragic history and few economic endowments; their most famous native son is infamous - [...] |
2007-12-12 13:23:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV ETRD ECON EAID KDEM CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO1241 |
PRESIDENT LOSES ANTANANARIVO [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Unofficial results from the December 12 municipal elections show the ruling TIM Party of President Marc Ravalomanana faring well throughout the country, with the notable exception of a humiliating upset in the capital of Antananarivo. Andry "TGV" Rajoelina, a successful busines [...] |
2007-12-13 13:58:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM PINR MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO1243 |
PRESIDENT LOSES ANTANANARIVO [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Unofficial results from the December 12 municipal elections show the ruling TIM Party of President Marc Ravalomanana faring well throughout the country, with the notable exception of a humiliating upset in the capital of Antananarivo. Andry "TGV" Rajoelina, a successful busines [...] |
2007-12-14 04:14:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM PINR MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO1251 |
SCENESETTER FOR A/S FRAZER'S VISIT TO MADAGASCAR [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. Welcome to Antananarivo! Your visit to Madagascar and the Union of the Comoros comes at an important time as both countries - in quite different circumstances - face challenges that are likely to define the future character of their governance. Your arrival, as the highest ra [...] |
2007-12-17 11:03:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV ECON OVIP MA CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO1252 |
SCENESETTER FOR A/S FRAZER'S VISIT TO THE COMOROS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. Welcome also to Moroni! Your visit to the Union of the Comoros comes as this fragile country faces the latest in a long series of challenges. Your arrival, as the highest ranking U.S. government official ever (we believe) to visit the archipelago, gives you leverage to help s [...] |
2007-12-17 13:52:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV ECON OVIP MA CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO1269 |
RULING PARTY CEDES POWER GRACEFULLY IN THE CAPITAL [...] (U) Official results trickling in from the December 12 municipal elections seem to confirm early speculation that the President's TIM party won throughout most of the country, with the exception of a spectacular defeat in Antananarivo (Reftel). Businessman and political unknown Andry "TGV" Ra [...] |
2007-12-27 13:51:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM PINR MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO128 |
BUILDING A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMOROS [...] (C) SUMMARY: The U.S. Government is missing the opportunity to build a strong relationship with the Union of the Comoros. In light of the recently-completed Operational Plan process for the Comoros, Post considers that USD 100,000 in security assistance is inadequate to seriously advance tran [...] |
2007-02-08 14:09:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | EAID PTER PREL IR CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO160 |
AUSTR Encourages Madagascar to Build on AGOA Success [...] SUMMARY: AUSTR Liser engaged public and private AGOA partners during her February 6-8 visit to Madagascar. While the AGOA third-country extension will boost the apparel sector, Madagascar also shows promise in diversifying exports to the United States. High cost and reduced service in shippi [...] |
2007-02-16 08:39:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | ETRD AGOA EINV ECON MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO161 |
TACKLING SEX TOURISM IN NOSY BE, ROUND TWO [...] (U) SUMMARY: Embassy staff traveled to Nosy Be, an island off Madagascar's northwest coast notorious for its growing sex tourism, and Diego Suarez, a nearby port on the mainland, to follow up on Embassy Antananarivo's 2005 report on the nature of sex tourism and trafficking in persons (TIP) al [...] |
2007-02-16 10:00:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KCRM SMIG ELAB MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO175 |
Malagasy Gendarmes Arrest Three in Khalifa Murder [...] (SBU) Gendarmerie contacts confirmed to the RSO February 20 that three Malagasy men suspected in the murder of Jamal Khalifa were arrested in the southern part of Madagascar (reftels). A fourth suspect who attempted to flee was shot and killed. Police did not recover any of the stolen items a [...] |
2007-02-21 08:22:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC PTER MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO177 |
MADAGASCAR DECLARES FLOOD DISASTER [...] With tens of thousands of Malagasy displaced by flooding from the worst rainy season in recent memory, Foreign Minister Marcel Ranjeva convened donors February 20 to coordinate the ongoing humanitarian response and make an appeal for emergency assistance. FonMin Ranjeva affirmed the GOM had ma [...] |
2007-02-21 13:18:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID PREL SOCI SENV MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO180 |
CONSTITUTIONAL REFERENDUM TO BE HELD APRIL 4 [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The Government of Madagascar (GOM) has announced a Constitutional Referendum to be held April 4, 2007. A hastily-convened committee is considering over 200 possible changes, and will soon make recommendations to the Council of Ministers, who will then decide which changes shoul [...] |
2007-02-22 12:59:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO221 |
MADAGASCAR 2006 TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS REPORT [...] SUMMARY: Madagascar is not a country of origin, transit or destination for internationally trafficked men and women. During the year, there were reports of trafficking within the country's borders. Madagascar has a confirmed child sex tourism problem. The domestic legal framework, cultural [...] |
2007-03-06 14:07:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KCRM KWMN SMIG KFRD ASEC PREF ELAB EAID |
| 07ANTANANARIVO225 |
COMOROS 2006 TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS REPORT [...] (U) The Embassy Point of Contact for TIP is Political Officer Silvana Rodriguez. Ms. Rodriguez can be reached via email at RodriguezSD [at] state.gov, via telephone at 261.20.22.212.57, or via facsimile at 261.20.22.251.71. POLOFF Rodriguez spent approximately 1 hour preparing this report. [...] |
2007-03-07 11:48:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KCRM SMIG KFRD ASEC PREF ELAB EAID CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO226 |
AGOA Eligibility Recommendation For Comoros [...] This is an Action Request for the Department - see Paragraph 4. 2. SUMMARY: Democratically-elected President Ahmed Abdallah Sambi has made significant improvements in governance in the Union of the Comoros since taking office in May 2006, despite inadequate resources. His government has [...] |
2007-03-08 05:29:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | ETRD AGOA ECON CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO227 |
President's 2007 Report on AGOA - Madagascar [...] Per reftel, Post provides the following input on Madagascar for the President's 2007 Report on AGOA. MARKET ECONOMY/ECONOMIC REFORM/ELIMINATION OF BARRIERS --------------------------------------------- --------- 2. Madagascar continues to implement its program of macro-economic and stru [...] |
2007-03-08 06:56:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | ETRD AGOA ECON PGOV MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO23 |
COMORAN UNION PRESIDENT SAMBI AND ANJOUAN'S BACAR [...] (C) SUMMARY: In separate conversations with Union of the Comoros President Sambi and Anjouan Island "President" Bacar, Ambassador and DCM encouraged dialogue to resolve the ongoing dispute over security responsibility (reftel). A calmly intransigent Bacar insisted he had a right to have arme [...] |
2007-01-08 06:53:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PREL CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO232 |
GOM PROPOSES CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES [...] (U) SUMMARY: The Government of Madagascar (GOM) has publicly proposed a number of constitutional changes to be voted on in a referendum April 4, with the stated goal of driving forward the Madagascar Action Plan (MAP), its signature development program (REF A). Changes include eliminating the [...] |
2007-03-09 06:16:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO236 |
AMERICAN WEEK IN MAHAJANGA IS A HIT [...] SUMMARY: From February 27 - March 1, 40 Mission personnel and numerous partners hosted American Week in Mahajanga, a city on Madagascar's northwestern coast with a sizeable Muslim population. Well over 5,000 local citizens visited our exhibit booths, attended an Embassy-sponsored basketball to [...] |
2007-03-09 10:23:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL KDEM KMCA KPAO EAID PHUM PINR AMGT ASOC MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO237 |
CONCERNED PRESIDENT DENIES POWER GRAB [...] No summary [...] |
2007-03-09 12:37:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER ASEC PREL FR MA EAID SENV KDEM |
| 07ANTANANARIVO238 |
AMBASSDOR'S MEETINGS WITH MAHAJANGA BUSINESS LEADERS [...] During American Week in Mahajanga (reftel), the Ambassador met with business and Muslim leaders to discuss the overall business climate and to listen to their concerns. Prevailing sentiment among business leaders was generally negative. They voiced complaints about the poor state of the Port [...] |
2007-03-09 13:33:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | ETRD ECON PGOV PHUM PREL KISL MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO239 |
COMOROS SUPPORTS COMPLIANCE WITH UNSCR 1737 [...] Post received Comoran diplomatic note number 07-129/MIREX/A.A.Y/fi via facsimile on March 8 assuring the U.S. that the Government of the Comoros supports compliance of UNSCR 1737 by Iran. 2. Post will email a copy of the diplomatic note to Desk Officer Maria Beyzerov. MCGEE [...] |
2007-03-09 13:33:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL KNNP IR UNSC CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO248 |
CONCERNED PRESIDENT DENIES POWER GRAB [...] No summary [...] |
2007-03-12 14:11:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER ASEC PREL FR MA EAID SENV KDEM |
| 07ANTANANARIVO252 |
CONCERNED PRESIDENT DENIES POWER GRAB [...] (C) President Ravalomanana summoned Ambassador McGee to his office on the morning of March 9 to address a number of issues. First, the President conveyed his concern at seeing Somalis and Pakistanis on the northern coast of Madagascar (location still being determined) during a recent vacation [...] |
2007-03-13 08:15:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER ASEC PREL FR MA EAID SENV KDEM |
| 07ANTANANARIVO262 |
CYCLONE INDLALA STRIKES MADAGASCAR - FIRST REPORT [...] SUMMARY: Tropical cyclone Indlala struck the east coast of Madagascar early morning on March 15, with the city of Antalaha hardest hit. Due to the ongoing lack of communications, we do not have reliable information about casualties and property damage, but expect it may be considerable. Six [...] |
2007-03-15 12:33:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | SENV EAID PREL SOCI CASC MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO270 |
CYCLONE INDLALA STRIKES MADAGASCAR - SECOND REPORT [...] SUMMARY: After hitting Antalaha and Maroantsetra hard, tropical cyclone Indlala has gradually dissipated as it moves west/southwest over land. Amidst the ongoing lack of definitive communication, unofficial reports of structural and flooding damage are considerable; contacts cite "thigh-deep" [...] |
2007-03-16 11:07:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | SENV EAID PREL SOCI CASC MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO276 |
CYCLONE INDLALA STRIKES MADAGASCAR - THIRD REPORT [...] Government of Madagascar officials are starting to release initial assessments of the comprehensive damage tropical cyclone Indlala left in its wake, primarily in the northeastern and northwestern regions of the country. The National Bureau of Management of Risk and Catastrophe reports 14,000 [...] |
2007-03-19 14:09:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | SENV EAID PREL SOCI CASC MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO277 |
ZIMBABWE DEMARCHE PENDING MARCH 21 [...] Ambassador McGee is scheduled to meet Foreign Minister Marcel Ranjeva on March 20, at which time he will raise the demarche on Zimbabwe per reftel. Post will report on the Government of Madagascar's response immediately following the meeting. McGEE [...] |
2007-03-20 10:14:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM ZI MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO287 |
IMF Finds GOM Performance Satisfactory [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: A just-completed IMF Mission reviewed five major themes in Madagascar: the Madagascar Action Plan (MAP), trade competitiveness, institutional capacity at the Ministry of Finance and Central Bank, private sector reform (especially the electric utility), and fiscal / monetary pol [...] |
2007-03-22 12:32:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN IMF PREL MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO288 |
DEMARCHE: MADAGASCAR RESPONSE ON ZIMBABWE VIOLENCE [...] (S) Ambassador delivered REF B demarche to Minister of Foreign Affairs Marcel Ranjeva the evening of March 21 on the sideline of a dinner in honor of the departing UNDP Resident Representative. After listening carefully to demarche points, Ranjeva replied that as a SADC Member, Madagascar can [...] |
2007-03-22 13:38:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | SECRET | PREL PHUM ZI MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO301 |
MIXED REACTIONS TO PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES [...] (U) SUMMARY: With only eight days to go, Madagascar's upcoming constitutional referendum has failed to garner the same amount of enthusiasm seen in the recent presidential election. The average citizen has little understanding of the proposed amendments and public reactions have been mixed wi [...] |
2007-03-27 13:07:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO304 |
Sambi Announces New Cabinet, Island Election Dates [...] (U) SUMMARY: President Sambi expanded his cabinet by adding four new Ministers and shrinking the massive portfolios of his existing team. None of the Ministers in place since 2006 was removed. The electoral commission also announced the Island President elections will be held June 10, with r [...] |
2007-03-28 08:05:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM PHUM PINR CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO315 |
JOINT DEMARCHE DELIVERED TO MADAGASCAR ON GLOBAL INITIATIVE [...] (U) Ambassador delivered the joint demarche with the Russian Ambassador to the Malagasy Minister of Foreign Affairs Marcel Ranjeva. The Minister promised to look at the declaration within the framework of existing treaties and Madagascar's position in SADC and the Indian Ocean. A response wil [...] |
2007-04-02 13:32:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER KGIC KNNP MCAP PINR PINS PARM PREL MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO321 |
JAYA: MADAGACAR'S SIXTH CYCLONE [...] Tropical Cyclone Jaya made landfall on Madagascar's battered northeast coast on April 3, weakened as it crossed the north end of the island, then re-emerged into the Mozambique Channel on April 4. As of 1200 local time on April 4, the storm has largely dissipated, although it will be watched c [...] |
2007-04-04 11:35:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID SENV PREL PGOV SOCI CASC MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO322 |
MADAGASCAR SEEKS AGREMENT FOR NEW AMBASSADOR TO WASHINGTON [...] On April 2, Post received two Diplomatic Notes, both dated March 23, 2007. One gave formal notice of the recall of Malagasy Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Mr. NARISOA Rajaonarivony, while the other sought agrement for his replacement, Mr. RADIFERA Jocelyn Bertin. Diplomatic notes and [...] |
2007-04-04 12:34:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | OPDC PREL MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO325 |
TURNOUT FOR REFERENDUM LOW BUT PEACEFUL [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Anecdotal and radio reports from around the country reflect a peaceful day at the polls for Madagascar's constitutional referendum with no security incidents. Voter turnout seems to be considerably lower than for the recent presidential election due to apathy that the constitut [...] |
2007-04-04 13:33:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO352 |
RESULTS NEARLY COMPLETE, REFERENDUM VICTORIOUS [...] (U) SUMMARY: Waiting on results from only 27 of the country's 17,000-plus polling stations, Madagascar's constitutional referendum passed with a 75.37 percent approval rate and a 43.7 percent voter turnout. The usual criticism from the opposition post-referendum will likely fall on deaf ears [...] |
2007-04-12 13:47:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO393 |
AF/E Director Reddick in Antananarivo [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: In Madagascar April 15-18, East Africa Bureau (AF/E) Director Reddick paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister to discuss the April 4 referendum and ongoing disaster response. In meetings with the Red Cross and the Presidency, Director Reddick explored possible solutions to M [...] |
2007-04-23 13:44:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO396 |
Comoros Protests French Country Code Change In Mayotte [...] (U) Comoran Ambassador to Paris Soulaimana Mohamed Ahmed will reportedly travel to Geneva as soon as possible to submit an official protest to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) after France unilaterally changed the telephone country code for its territory Mayotte from 269 (like t [...] |
2007-04-24 11:29:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL ECON ECPS ITU FR MF CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO399 |
DELEGATION HOLDS BILATERAL TALKS WITH COMOROS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Following up on Assistant Secretary Jendayi Frazer's suggestion to President Ahmed Abdallah Sambi on the sidelines of UNGA last September (REF B), a U.S. delegation led by Director of the Office of East African Affairs Eunice Reddick held the first ever bilateral discussions wi [...] |
2007-04-24 11:39:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO402 |
MADAGASCAR TIP PROPOSALS FOR 2007 ESF AND INCLE FUNDS [...] (U) Per reftel, Embassy Antananarivo is providing the following four proposals for 2007 ESF and INCLE funds for Trafficking in Persons (TIP) projects. The full text of the proposals, budgets and resumes are being forwarded via email to the appropriate G/TIP POC as requested. Post POC for all [...] |
2007-04-24 13:21:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | ASEC ELAB KCRM PHUM PREL SMIG MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO404 |
MADAGASCAR AT THE HALFWAY POINT OF MCC COMPACT [...] (U) SUMMARY AND INTRODUCTION: Two years ago Madagascar became the first country to sign a Compact with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), recognizing progress in investing in people, economic freedom, and governing justly. Remarkable achievements in the Compact's priority areas of l [...] |
2007-04-25 08:23:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | EAID KMCA ECON PGOV PREL MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO409 |
Coastal City Boils Over Electricity Outages [...] (SBU) Public discontent over electricity outages boiled over April 26 as thousands of protestors set fire to a public building in the southern coastal city of Tulear. According to sources in the gendarmerie, members of the mob also kidnapped the regional director of the Penitentiary Administr [...] |
2007-04-26 12:40:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM PHUM MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO411 |
Comoran Union Government Fights Shell Banks [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: In an ongoing struggle to attract foreign investment and repair the country's reputation, the Government of the Union of the Comoros has taken steps to address its "shell banking" problem and has renewed its request for U.S. assistance. Vice President Idi recently briefed PolEco [...] |
2007-04-27 05:30:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN PTER PGOV PREL ECON CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO414 |
TULEAR RIOTS CONTINUE, OTHER CITIES ON LOW SIMMER [...] (C) SUMMARY: In the wake of unrest in Tamatave, political opposition groups are trying to take advantage of a string of student-initiated protests over poor university conditions and black-outs in a number of coastal cities -- particularly Tulear (REF A) -- to further their anti-referendum age [...] |
2007-04-27 10:53:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM PHUM MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO417 |
Opposition Leaders Arrested; Merina Flee Tulear [...] (SBU) Police in Tulear arrested four opposition leaders for allegedly leading the demonstrations which turned violent in the city April 27 (reftel): Senator Robert Razaka; National Assembly Deputy Dimby Benaria; Luc Vital, Chairman of the Tulear Communal Council; and Tsimarivo Railala. The [...] |
2007-04-30 14:07:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM PHUM ASEC MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO418 |
AVIATION FEES MADAGASCAR [...] Post provides answers to reftel action request for Madagascar. The Malagasy aviation authority (ADEMA) confirms OACI CODE for each of the following airports: MAHAJANGA FMNM NOSY BE /FASCENE FMNN TOAMASINA FMMT TOLIARA [...] |
2007-04-30 14:16:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAIR MARR MOPS KREC MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO419 |
PRE-ELECTION SHOWDOWN IN THE COMOROS [...] (C) SUMMARY: Political tensions are running high in the Union of the Comoros as the Union and Anjouan Island Governments jockey over whether President of Anjouan Mohamed Bacar (known for his secessionist tendencies and prickly relationship with the Union Government) must step down preceding th [...] |
2007-04-30 20:17:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM PBTS MASS CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO420 |
PRE-ELECTION SHOWDOWN IN THE COMOROS [...] (C) SUMMARY: Political tensions are running high in the Union of the Comoros as the Union and Anjouan Island Governments jockey over whether President of Anjouan Mohamed Bacar (known for his secessionist tendencies and prickly relationship with the Union Government) must step down preceding th [...] |
2007-05-02 05:09:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM PBTS MASS CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO421 |
NO HELP FOR IRAQ FROM MADAGASCAR OR THE COMOROS [...] No summary [...] |
2007-05-02 11:45:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | MARR MASS MOPS PREL PTER CN MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO425 |
UNION AND ANJOUAN FORCES FINALLY CLASH IN COMOROS [...] (C) SUMMARY: The political tension in the Union of the Comoros that has been simmering in recent months between the rival jurisdictions of the Union Government of President Ahmed Abdallah Sambi and the Anjouan Island government headed by "President" Mohamed Bacar has finally broken into viole [...] |
2007-05-02 18:16:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM PBTS MASS ASEC CASC CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO426 |
Seaboard Reaches Verbal Agreement to Extend Lease [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: After over a year of intense lobbying, including Ambassador McGee insisting on a level playing field in a meeting with President Ravalomanana, the U.S. company Seaboard reached an oral agreement with Tamatave Port Director Botozaza April 27 to extend the company's lease on silos [...] |
2007-05-03 05:08:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO430 |
U.S. FUND SEEKS MADAGASCAR FOREST DEAL [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Since a meeting in September, 2006, between President Ravalomanana and the president of the Global Environment Fund (GEF), a deal to create a 30,000 hectare sustainable forestry operation in Madagascar has progressed in fits and starts. Interrupted by the December 3 presidential [...] |
2007-05-03 09:40:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SENV EAGR EAID ECON PGOV PREL MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO431 |
COMORAN PRESIDENT SEEKS U.S. ASSISTANCE [...] Post received the following letter to President George W. Bush from His Excellency Mr. Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi, the President of the Union of the Comoros, via facsimile on May 2, 2314 local time. A copy of the letter is being faxed and emailed to AF/E Desk Officer Maria Beyzerov. 2. B [...] |
2007-05-03 11:29:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL KDEM PBTS MASS ASEC CASC CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO435 |
COASTAL UNREST CONTINUES IN MADAGASCAR [...] (U) SUMMARY: Public demonstrations in Madagascar against blackouts and poor study conditions (reftels) have expanded to include political opposition grievances. Protests seem to be spreading to different coastal cities and even potentially Antananarivo. After several days of protests with li [...] |
2007-05-04 09:47:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO438 |
COMOROS ISLAND IN DE FACTO SECESSION [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: After seizing control of the Union radio station and Union President Ahmed Abdallah Sambi's home on Anjouan May 3, "President" Mohamed Bacar's forces seem to be even more in control of the island. The first reported deaths of Union soldiers have sparked conflict between villag [...] |
2007-05-04 12:36:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM PBTS MASS ASEC CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO442 |
Anjouan's Bacar Clings To Power [...] (SBU) Press reports that (former) Anjouan Island "governor" Bacar has accepted the Constitutional Court's decision for him to step down remain unconfirmed. Post Comoros Liaison indicates that Bacar stated he would resign - on the condition that he, not Union President Sambi, name the interim [...] |
2007-05-07 12:56:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM PHUM MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO452 |
COMOROS AWAITS SAMBI'S REACTION TO BACAR'S [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The African Union's (AU) special envoy to the Comoros Jose Francisco Madeira returned May 8 from a second mission to Anjouan, bringing back with him approximately 15 Union government officials and soldiers who had been held hostage by "President" Bacar's forces. Bacar told Made [...] |
2007-05-10 13:48:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO454 |
AU BROKERS SHAKY ACCORD IN THE COMOROS [...] (SBU) In a deal signed late May 11 between Union of the Comoros Vice President Ikililou, African Union (AU) Envoy Madeira, Arab League Envoy Husni, and deposed Anjouan Island "president" Bacar, the defiant Bacar finally agreed to step down as ordered by the Constitutional Court (reftels). The [...] |
2007-05-14 13:13:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM PHUM CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO477 |
COMORAN PRESIDENT SEEKS HELP TO DISARM MILITIA [...] (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador McGee met May 19 with Union of the Comoros President Ahmed Abdallah Sambi, high-level Union officials, and island presidential candidates on both Grand Comores and Anjouan to urge all parties to work towards free, fair, transparent, and peaceful elections in the upcomi [...] |
2007-05-21 13:41:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM PHUM XA CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO520 |
EMBEZZLING PLAGUES MADAGASCAR'S CENTRAL BANK [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. The Central Bank of Madagascar (BCM) faces growing concerns about its competence following recent cases of embezzlement. Three weeks ago evidence came to light that USD six million was missing at the BCM's Manakara agency. Local press reported last week another case of theft of [...] |
2007-05-31 11:22:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ECON PGOV EAID MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO522 |
MIXED SIGNALS TO SEABOARD IN MADAGASCAR [...] (C) SUMMARY: Tamatave Port Director Pierrot Botozaza kept U.S. Seaboard Corporation representatives waiting for 12 hours on May 25 for scheduled negotiations to renew its lease on silos at the Port (Reftels). When the Port's lawyers finally met with Seaboard, they insisted an application for [...] |
2007-05-31 11:23:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | EINV ETRD ECON KTDB PGOV PREL MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO523 |
NORWAY-FUNDED CORRUPTION EXPERT ADVISES MALAGASY [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Fredrik Galtung of the organization "tiri: Making Integrity Work" provided donors and anti-corruption officials a briefing May 25 following extensive consultations in Madagascar. He identified judicial reform as the top priority for any substantial improvement on transparency a [...] |
2007-05-31 12:45:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM ETRD PREL ECON NO MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO524 |
MADAGASCAR WELCOMED AS GLOBAL INITIATIVE PARTNER [...] Political/Economic Section Chief and Russian Federation DCM separately welcomed the Government of Madagascar (GOM) into the Global Initiative as a new partner nation and provided them with the most current version of the Plan of Work, Terms of Reference, Statement of Principles, Explanatory Not [...] |
2007-05-31 12:45:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | PTER KGIC PARM PREL MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO557 |
LABOR TRAFFICKING VICTIMS RESCUED IN DIEGO SUAREZ [...] SUMMARY: Embassy Antananarivo's reporting on trafficking in persons (TIP) has tended to focus on the conspicuous sex trafficking of minors in tourism hotspots along Madagascar's coast, namely on the island of Nosy Be (reftel). While the same kind of sexual exploitation exists in the northern [...] |
2007-06-05 13:28:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KCRM SMIG ELAB MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO566 |
ANJOUAN'S BACAR MOVES TO DERAIL COMOROS VOTE [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. Violence broke out again on the Comoran island of Anjouan June 5 as island strongman Mohamed Bacar continued his pattern of extralegal efforts to cling to power. Bacar, who stepped aside as island president to run for reelection (Reftels), appears to have no intention of losing [...] |
2007-06-06 12:58:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR ASEC CASC CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO567 |
COMOROS' SAMBI POSTPONES ANJOUAN'S ELECTION [...] (U) SUMMARY: Union of the Comoros President Ahmed Abdallah Sambi postponed Anjouan's island election to June 17, contrary to international pressure. Deposed Anjouan island president Bacar continues his "end-game" threatening to hold elections anyway. Votes in Grand Comore and Moheli will go [...] |
2007-06-07 12:53:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR ASEC CASC CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO568 |
ASECNA AVIATION FEES - THE COMOROS [...] Post provides answers to reftel action request for the Comoros. The Comoran aviation authority confirms OACI CODE for each of the following airports: FMCH Hahaia Airport, Grand Comores 2. Airport Questions and Answers: - Question No. 1: AIMPSI or Aeroport International Moroni Prince [...] |
2007-06-07 12:54:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAIR MARR MOPS KREC CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO569 |
MADAGASCAR WILL SEND REPRESENTATIVE TO GI THIRD MEETING [...] Post received diplomatic note no. 07-470-AE/M/NV/DCM from the Malagasy Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Office in Charge of the United Nations and International Organizations, dated June 5, informing the Embassy that the Government of Madagascar will be represented by its Ambassador in Moscow, duri [...] |
2007-06-08 05:41:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | PTER KGIC PARM PREL MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO573 |
TWO-THIRDS OF COMOROS ISLAND ELECTIONS SUCCESSFUL [...] (U) This is an Action Request - see para 6. 2. (SBU) The people of Grand Comore and Moheli in the Union of the Comoros went to the polls June 10 to elect new island "presidents" (governors). The pro-Sambi candidate Abduloihabi (known as "Albino") leads in Grand Comore, followed by a chari [...] |
2007-06-11 10:06:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR ASEC CASC CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO580 |
STUDENTS BURN MADAGASCAR CAMPUS AMPHITHEATRE [...] (U) Police contacts report that an unknown number of students set fire to the amphitheatre on the campus at the University in Fianarantsoa, in south-central Madagascar, early June 13. The entire building and an adjoining registrar's office, where many students' files are stored, burned to the [...] |
2007-06-13 09:29:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM PHUM MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO583 |
AU CHALLENGES ANJOUAN'S BACAR IN COMOROS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The African Union insists deposed island president Mohamed Bacar must allow island elections on Anjouan June 17; however, it cannot so far enforce compliance. The renegade Bacar is reportedly fortifying his position on the island against possible attack. (Note: No AmCits are [...] |
2007-06-13 12:41:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR ASEC CASC CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO585 |
COMORAN PRESIDENT SEEKS U.S. MILITARY ASSISTANCE [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: In a letter to President Bush (full translation in Paragraph Two), Ahmed Abdallah Sambi, President of the Union of the Comoros, seeks U.S. support for a military effort to restore democracy to the island of Anjouan. Sambi describes the repeated efforts - by his government as we [...] |
2007-06-13 13:35:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL MOPS EAID PHUM PINR ASEC CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO595 |
COMOROS ELECTION POSTPONED AS BACAR SEIZES POWER [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Shortly after inaugurating himself "President" of Anjouan on the morning of June 14, Colonel Mohamed Bacar resumed his position at the presidential palace. A high-level Comoran delegation will arrive in Addis Ababa June 14 to lobby the African Union (AU) to hold an extraordinar [...] |
2007-06-14 14:12:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL MOPS EAID PHUM PINR ASEC CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO60 |
U.S. DELEGATION CONGRATULATES MADAGASCAR'S PRESIDENT [...] (U) SUMMARY: A Presidential Delegation led by Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns attended the inauguration of President Marc Ravalomanana's second term and held a number of meetings on the sidelines. Applauding Ravalomanana's progressive leadership style, the delegation extended its congra [...] |
2007-01-22 14:13:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR MA CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO608 |
COMOROS AWAITS AU DECISION ON MILITARY OPTIONS [...] (U) With "President" Bacar of Anjouan refusing to hold new island presidential elections sanctioned by the international community, South Africa is reportedly organizing an urgent meeting of regional foreign ministries and an official from the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council June [...] |
2007-06-18 13:27:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL MOPS EAID PHUM PINR ASEC CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO615 |
AFRICAN UNION CHALLENGES BACAR IN THE COMOROS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: An African Union (AU) ultimatum and ministerial delegation to the Union of the Comoros is applying pressure on renegade Anjouan island "President" Mohamed Bacar. All three islands of the Union are calm, awaiting Bacar's response to the AU. Rumors abound from Anjouan that Bacar [...] |
2007-06-21 09:36:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR ASEC AU CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO623 |
ICRC NOTES MINOR IMPROVEMENT IN MADAGASCAR PRISONS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Of 80 countries in which the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) monitors prison conditions; Madagascar continues to stand among the worst. An ICRC representative met with Embassy staff to note that while there have been positive trends over the past year in the Gov [...] |
2007-06-22 09:36:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM SOCI PGOV PREL MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO636 |
COMOROS ELECTIONS: TWO OUT OF THREE SUCCEED [...] (C) SUMMARY: Island elections in Grande Comore and Moheli successfully completed their second rounds June 24. Embassy observers found the election in Grande Comore to be transparent and well-organized. Tensions are high between the Union government, African Union (AU), and other internatio [...] |
2007-06-27 13:56:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM PHUM AU CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO640 |
SEABOARD SILOS SOLUTION SIGNED IN MADAGASCAR [...] Seaboard Corporation's Armando Lopes signed a five-year lease extension for its silos at the Tamatave Port June 28. Tamatave Port Director Pierrot Botozaza and Minister of Transport Julien LaPorte have approved and signed the agreement. According to Lopes, the terms and conditions of the ext [...] |
2007-06-28 11:10:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | EINV ETRD ECON KTDB PGOV MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO642 |
COMORAN PRESIDENT SEEKS U.S. POLITICAL SUPPORT [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a letter to President Bush (full translation in paragraph two), Ahmed Abdallah Sambi, President of the Union of the Comoros, seeks U.S. support urging an African Union (AU) decision to take robust action against Comoran warlord Mohamed Bacar. Sambi expresses his disappointmen [...] |
2007-06-29 11:26:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL AU EAID PHUM PINR ASEC MOPS CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO646 |
MADAGASCAR'S TROOP CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE HYBRID OPERATION [...] (SBU) Charge and U.S. Defense Attache met with Madagascar's Minister of Defense Petera Behajaina July 2 to discuss Madagascar's current troop contributions to the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) and potential contributions to the upcoming UN/AU Hybrid Operations in Darfur. Behajaina affi [...] |
2007-07-02 14:05:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL KPKO AU UNSC MASS SU MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO681 |
COMORANS HOLD BREATH WAITING FOR ANJOUAN ELECTION [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Delegates of the Government of the Union of the Comoros as well as those sent by renegade Anjouan Island warlord Mohamed Bacar met under African Union auspices July 8 and 9 in Pretoria to seek a solution to their inter-island impasse. Rather than holding a negotiation between [...] |
2007-07-11 12:54:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR ASEC AU CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO685 |
COMOROS STABILITY IMPROVING ON TWO ISLANDS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY AND COMMENT: Compared to their predecessors, the newly installed island presidents on both Grande Comore and Moheli appear more conciliatory and more willing to work constructively with the Government of the Union of the Comoros. As such, prospects for greater Union stability - [...] |
2007-07-12 13:20:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PINR ASEC AU CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO687 |
MADAGASCAR ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM AT RISK [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: USAID continues to play a vital leadership role among environment donors in Madagascar seeking to advocate and implement sound conservation and natural resource management policies. Review of the third phase of the environment program has been protracted and did not result in c [...] |
2007-07-12 13:32:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SENV TBIO EAGR ECON EAID PGOV MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO692 |
FRENCH VIEW OF THE COMOROS [...] (C) French Ambassador to the Comoros, Christian Job, met Charge July 9 in Moroni and provided an overview of French-Comoran relations. According to Job, from the French side the relationship is grounded in four facts. First, the shared history dating from 1841. Second, legitimate French in [...] |
2007-07-13 10:03:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | CN EAID FR PGOV PINR PREL |
| 07ANTANANARIVO702 |
MOHELI, THE FORGOTTEN COMORAN ISLAND [...] SUMMARY. There are four inhabited islands in the Comoran archipelago. France administers Mayotte. Of the other three, comprising the Union of the Comoros, two are of comparable size and population - Grande Comore being slightly larger than Anjouan. The third is Moheli, an environmental jew [...] |
2007-07-17 06:29:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID SENV TBIO EAGR ECON PGOV CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO710 |
ENVIRONMENTAL TRAFFICKING IN MADAGASCAR [...] (U) SUMMARY: Recent cases involving tropical hardwood and endangered tortoises highlight the serious problem of environmental smuggling in Madagascar. The island is attractive to smugglers because a broad range of unique species inhabit the island and because law enforcement services tend to [...] |
2007-07-19 10:44:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SENV TBIO EAGR ECON EAID PGOV CH MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO715 |
RAVALOMANANA'S CONTRADICTORY LEADERSHIP STYLE [...] (C) SUMMARY: On December 3, 2006, Marc Ravalomanana won a landslide reelection victory emerging ahead of 13 other candidates with 55 per cent of the vote. His nearest rival tallied less than 12 per cent. Coming five years after his initial disputed victory had plunged the nation to the brink [...] |
2007-07-20 05:13:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR PREL MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO717 |
MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK: SSH/DHRF SUCCESS [...] SUMMARY: The Ambassador's Special Self Help (SSH) and Democracy and Human Rights Funds (DHRF) provide direct, inexpensive, and meaningful assistance to projects throughout Madagascar and the Comoros. They generate tremendous positive publicity and good will for the United States. From women [...] |
2007-07-20 09:05:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID PREL KPAO MA CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO718 |
MALAGASY MAYOR FINALLY CAPTURED [...] (U) After eight months on the lam (REF D), former Mayor of Fianarantsoa and presidential candidate Pety Rakotoniaina was arrested by mixed police and gendarmes forces in the southern city of Fianarantsoa on the evening of July 19. For the moment, he is being held in Antananarivo under charges [...] |
2007-07-20 09:21:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM ASEC MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO721 |
PRESIDENT TO DISSOLVE MADAGASCAR NATIONAL ASSEMBLY [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: President Marc Ravalomanana announced July 20 his intention to dissolve the National Assembly and call legislative elections. His justifications include "realignment" with his Madagascar Action Plan (MAP) and the recent Constitutional Referendum; the Deputies' terms are also se [...] |
2007-07-23 12:45:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM PINR MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO723 |
PROSPECTS AND PROSTITUTION IN MINING BOOM TOWN [...] SUMMARY: As Qit Madagascar Minerals (QMM) ramps up its mining activities in southeastern Madagascar, the former "ghost town" of Fort Dauphin is rapidly changing. Embassy staff consulted local officials and NGOs to assess the potential for human trafficking. While it is clear "trafficking in p [...] |
2007-07-23 13:01:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KCRM SMIG ELAB EAID MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO74 |
PRESIDENT RAVALOMANANA PROMISES MINISTRY OF [...] (C) An animated President Ravalomanana insisted he was "neutral and not interested" in Seaboard Corporation's operations at the Port of Tamatave; neither as President of Madagascar nor as owner/founder of the TIKO company (reftels). Holding up literature from the Dynatech Corporation, the Pre [...] |
2007-01-23 09:00:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | EINV EAGR KTDB PGOV PREL MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO749 |
MADAGASCAR PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS SEPTEMBER 23 [...] (U) Following a July 24 decree dissolving Madagascar's National Assembly, the Council of Ministers decided July 25 the election for Deputies to the National Assembly will be held September 23. In a power guaranteed by Article 69 of the Constitution, the Council also decided the new Assembly w [...] |
2007-07-27 04:18:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM PINR MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO757 |
COMOROS, THE COUNTRY DEBT-RELIEF LEFT BEHIND [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: One of the world's poorest Muslim democracies, the Union of the Comoros has a stock of debt equal to 70 percent of GDP. If not for an annual influx of over USD 12 million in remittances from Comorans living abroad, the tiny country of 700,000 mostly subsistence farmers would f [...] |
2007-07-30 11:11:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN IBRD IMF ECON EAID PREL CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO758 |
MADAGASCAR M.P. ARRESTED ON CORRUPTION CHARGES [...] (SBU) Roger Zara, a former deputy from the island of Nosy Be who represented President Marc Ravalomanana's Tiako I Madagasikara (TIM) party in the recently dissolved National Assembly (ref A), was arrested July 27 on corruption-related charges. He was reportedly summoned to the tribunal, accus [...] |
2007-07-30 12:50:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KCOR KDEM PHUM MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO760 |
MALAGASY AND COMORAN ATTENDEES PENDING FOR 62ND UNGA [...] As requested in reftel, the Government of Madagascar (GOM) will be unable to provide any information on the attendance of GOM officials at the 62nd UN General Assembly (UNGA) before the beginning of September. President Marc Ravalomanana and Foreign Minister Marcel Ranjeva are likely to atten [...] |
2007-07-31 09:12:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL OTRA OVIP UNGA MA CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO761 |
MALAGASY AND COMORAN ATTENDEES PENDING FOR 62ND UNGA [...] Per reftel, the Government of Madagascar (GOM) will be unable to provide any information on the attendance of GOM officials or their spouses at the 62nd UN General Assembly (UNGA) before the beginning of September. President Marc Ravalomanana is likely to attend again this year pending the ou [...] |
2007-07-31 09:12:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL SOCI TSPL UNGA MA CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO77 |
COMOROS PRESIDENT WELCOMES U.S. COOPERATION [...] (C) SUMMARY: The President of the Union of the Comoros, Ahmed Abdallah Sambi, met with the Ambassador January 18 and with Peace Corps Director Ronald Tschetter January 19 on the margins of the investiture of Madagascar's President Marc Ravalomanana (Ref A). Sambi reaffirmed his desire for as [...] |
2007-01-23 13:10:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | SECRET | PREL PMIL PINR EFIN PGOV PTER EAID KISL CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO777 |
CROP REPORTS FORECAST ACUTE RICE SHORTAGES [...] SUMMARY: According to harvest forecasters in the Government of Madagascar's (GOM) Prime Minister's office, Madagascar's severe 2006-07 cyclone season destroyed the equivalent of 60,000 tons of rice (reftels). Already an annual rice importer, Madagascar will likely need almost 300,000 tons of [...] |
2007-08-02 10:34:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ECON EAGR PREL SOCI MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO778 |
MALAGASY SURPRISED BY TIP CONDITIONS IN SOUTH [...] SUMMARY: In a July 25 meeting of the Human Rights Working Group, Embassy Antananarivo teamed up with multiple NGOs to present the issue of trafficking in persons (TIP) in the different regions of Madagascar. The fact that Malagasy participants were shocked to find out certain widespread pract [...] |
2007-08-02 10:37:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KCRM SMIG ELAB MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO779 |
BACAR'S DEFIANCE LEAVES AU FEW OPTIONS IN THE COMOROS [...] (U) Little has changed in the Union of the Comoros in recent days (reftels). African Union (AU) Envoy Francisco Madeira again threatened Anjouan island renegade, Mohamed Bacar, and again offered an ultimatum. In a press statement July 28, Madeira said, "Bacar's boat is sinking and anyone lef [...] |
2007-08-02 12:50:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM MOPS EAID PHUM PINR ASEC CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO78 |
GENERAL NAMED PRIME MINISTER OF MADAGASCAR [...] (U) SUMMARY. On January 20 President Marc Ravalomanana appointed former Minister of Interior Lt-General Charles Rabemananjara as his new Prime Minister, to replace outgoing Prime Minister Jacques Sylla. Rabemananjara now has the task of forming a new Cabinet in consultation with the President [...] |
2007-01-23 14:27:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PINR PGOV MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO79 |
FRENCH AGRICULTURE MINISTER REHASHES HIS POSITION [...] On the margins of a Presidential Delegation visit to Madagascar to attend the inauguration of President Marc Ravalomanana (Reftel), Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns met with French Minister of SIPDIS Agriculture Dominique Bussereau at Ambassador McGee's residence for a wide-ranging disc [...] |
2007-01-23 14:27:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | EAGR ETRD PREL FR MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO802 |
PRESS REPORTS INDIAN LISTENING POST IN MADAGASCAR [...] (C) Press reports indicate the Indian Government has opened a "listening post" on the northern coast of Madagascar to monitor seagoing traffic in the Indian Ocean. Most recently "Asia Times Online" reported the station took a year to construct and opened in July to contribute to India,s secu [...] |
2007-08-10 06:01:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | PINR ECPS PREL MOPS MARR MCAP IN MA XO |
| 07ANTANANARIVO813 |
CANDIDATES LINING UP FOR MADAGASCAR'S ELECTIONS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: With August 14 ending of the open season to declare candidacy in upcoming legislative elections (REF A), political parties are forming coalitions and preparing their hopefuls. President Ravalomanana's TIM party is actively selecting candidates throughout the 119 districts. To [...] |
2007-08-16 12:48:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM PINR MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO815 |
COMORAN PRESIDENT CONSIDERING MILITARY OPTION [...] (C) SUMMARY: Comoran President Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi wants the AU to take control of Anjouan by force to allow free elections there, and he believes this could be done without bloodshed. However, he will not wait indefinitely and has a plan for Union forces to take Anjouan - which he [...] |
2007-08-16 13:50:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL AU EAID PHUM PINR ASEC MOPS CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO816 |
CATHOLIC HOSPITAL IN COMOROS ATTACKED [...] In what appears to be a religiously motivated attack, unknown actors set off a petrol-bomb in a dispensary run by the Catholic relief agency Caritas in the village of Mbeni on the northeastern side of Grande Comore late August 12. No one was injured, but material damages included four burne [...] |
2007-08-20 05:04:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM ASEC SCUL CASC CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO823 |
MORE COMORANS DROWN ON FAILED CROSSING TO MAYOTTE [...] (U) Seventeen illegal immigrants reportedly drowned August 13 when their boat capsized while trying to evade the French Coast Guard as they tried to cross from the Union of the Comoros island of Anjouan to the nearby French territory of Mayotte. At least 30 people have died trying to make this [...] |
2007-08-20 05:11:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO835 |
UPDATE ON MALAGASY AND COMORAN ATTENDEES FOR 62ND UNGA [...] The Government of Madagascar and the Government of the Comoros provided the following information on the attendance of their officials at the 62ND UN General Assembly (UNGA). Post is providing the information in the format requested in ref A. 2. The delegation from Madagascar will be compr [...] |
2007-08-22 12:56:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL OTRA OVIP UNGA MA CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO836 |
AMBASSADOR PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO THE PRESIDENT [...] (U) SUMMARY: Little more than 48 hours after arriving in Madagascar, Ambassador R. Niels Marquardt presented his credentials to Malagasy President Marc Ravalomanana. In a wide-ranging discourse, the President expressed appreciation for U.S. programs and support, while requesting further assi [...] |
2007-08-22 13:19:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV EAID MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO84 |
MADAGASCAR PRIME MINISTER SELECTS NEW CABINET [...] (U) As anticipated in reftels, newly appointed Prime Minister Gen. Charles Rabemananjara (who maintains his portfolio as Minister of Interior), named his new cabinet January 25: -- Minister to the Presidency in charge of Decentralization and Land Use Planning: Yvan Andrianasandratriniony (F [...] |
2007-01-25 14:39:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO851 |
AMBASSADOR CALLS ON MALAGASY PRIME MINISTER [...] (C) SUMMARY: Prime Minister Charles Rabemananjara invited Ambassador Marquardt for a meeting the day after the credentials ceremony with the President. A friendly but direct Rabemananjara said Malagasy do not want a single ballot and the electoral commission is already strong and independent [...] |
2007-08-24 09:53:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM EAID EWWT ASEC SNAR MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO852 |
IMF AFRICA DIRECTOR LAUDS MALAGASY ECONOMY [...] (U) International Monetary Fund Africa Director Bio-Tchane met President Marc Ravalomanana August 22 for consultations on Madagascar's economic management and performance. Bio-Tchane also held meetings with Minister of Finance Radavidson, Central Bank Governor Rasamoely, and private sector re [...] |
2007-08-24 10:17:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ECON PGOV EAID MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO853 |
COMORAN FM JAFFAR REITERATES PRO-AMERICAN STANCE [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Foreign Minister Ahmed Said Ben Jaffar welcomed the Ambassador to the region, encouraging him to visit the Comoros to deliver credentials and see the country at the first opportunity. Jaffar expressed frustration that the African Union (AU) had not upheld commitments with regar [...] |
2007-08-27 11:18:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV EAID CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO869 |
HIGH COURT ANNOUNCES LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES [...] (U) On August 23, Madagascar's High Constitutional Court published the official list of candidates for the September 23 National Assembly elections. 1,542 candidates, of whom 666 are former deputies, will compete for 127 seats. President Ravalomanana's Tiako I Madagasikara (TIM) party is the [...] |
2007-08-29 04:58:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM PINR MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO870 |
UPDATE ON ADDITONAL COMORAN ATTENDEES FOR 62ND UNGA [...] The Government of the Comoros provided the following additional information on the attendance of their officials at the 62ND UN General Assembly (UNGA). Post is providing the information in the format requested in ref C. 2. Additions to the delegation from the Union of the Comoros: -- M [...] |
2007-08-29 07:11:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL OTRA OVIP UNGA MA CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO88 |
AU CHAIRMANSHIP DEMARCHE DELIVERED TO MADAGASCAR [...] (U) Madagascar: Madagascar's Foreign Minister Marcel Ranjeva had already departed the country when reftel demarche was received. After repeated attempts to reach him abroad, Ambassador delivered reftel demarche to Acting Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) who promised [...] |
2007-01-26 10:33:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL AU SU CN MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO881 |
ENERGY, THE FOUNDATION FOR DEVELOPMENT [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Energy Minister Ramiaramanana is pursuing multiple partnerships to revitalize the state electric utility company. He explained to the Ambassador August 30 his ambitious plans to improve electricity supply in major coastal cities and in Antananarivo. The Minister is also keen [...] |
2007-08-31 06:16:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ENRG EPET PGOV PREL ECON MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO89 |
MADAGASCAR OFFERS PEACEKEEPING TROOPS TO SOMALIA [...] (SBU) The Government of Madagascar (GOM) is prepared to pledge up to 800 troops for African Union Peace Keeping Operations (PKO) in Somalia. Major General Claude, head of the Gendarme, informed DATT that he has 100 troops ready for immediate deployment. 2. (SBU) General Mampianina, head of [...] |
2007-01-29 04:44:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MOPS PREL AU PGOV IO MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO892 |
EITI: CAN MADAGASCAR AVOID THE RESOURCE CURSE? [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Madagascar's Government and mining companies joined August 28 in making public declarations for the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI). Much work remains for the GOM to meet all conditions, but the Presidency and Ministers of Energy and Mines are committed to m [...] |
2007-09-04 11:05:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EMIN EFIN EPET ECON PGOV EAID MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO895 |
FRAUDULENT "BAHAMAS" RECRUITER CONS MALAGASY [...] (U) SUMMARY: A scam promising jobs in the Bahamas took in reportedly thousands of Malagasy job seekers before the Government of Madagascar (GOM) exposed the fraud. Gateway Global Consultants, posing as recruiters for West Palm Textiles and Apparel, took USD 50 fees for a promise of possible e [...] |
2007-09-05 12:52:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM ELAB ETRD PREL MA BF |
| 07ANTANANARIVO91 |
MADAGASCAR'S FM MAKES PUBLIC STATEMENT ON AF CHARTER ON [...] Malagasy Foreign Minister Marcel Ranjeva had already departed the country upon receipt of reftel demarche, to attend the preparatory meeting and then to lead the African Union (AU) Summit delegation for the Government of Madagascar. 2. Nonetheless, Madagascar's support for the African Charte [...] |
2007-01-29 13:49:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL KDEM MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO919 |
ANTANANARIVO'S INPUT TO THE PRESIDENT'S HUMAN RIGHTS [...] SUMMARY: Post is pleased to respond to Reftel with the following brief summary of Post's programs and activities to promote human rights and protect human rights defenders. END SUMMARY. Promoting Human Rights and Protecting Human Rights Defenders - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - [...] |
2007-09-12 10:53:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL MA CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO920 |
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON TEXTILES AND APPAREL PRODUCTION [...] Post provides responses to paragraph four of REF A, sourced from the Ministry of Trade, the National Statistical Agency (INSTAT), the Association of Exporting Companies (GEFP), and industry associations: -- Estimate of 2006 total industrial production: USD 1.4 billion -- Estimate of 2006 [...] |
2007-09-12 11:28:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD KTEX MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO922 |
UPDATE ON MALAGASY ATTENDEES FOR 62ND UNGA [...] The Government of Madagascar provided the following updated information on the attendance of officials at the 62ND UN General Assembly (UNGA). Post is providing the information in the format requested in ref C. Detailed itinerary will be provided septel. 2. The delegation from Madagascar [...] |
2007-09-13 09:11:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL OTRA OVIP UNGA MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO923 |
FLIGHT SCHEDULE FOR PRESIDENT MARC RAVOLOMANANA TO THE 62ND [...] Post has been advised by the Government of Madagascar of the following flight itinerary for President Marc Ravalomanana and delegation to New York for the 62ND UNGA and to Washington, D.C. All times are local. SUN SPT 23 Depart Antananarivo 14:50 Private Plane Arrive Johan [...] |
2007-09-13 10:30:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL OTRA OVIP UNGA MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO930 |
ANTANANARIVO UPDATED CONTACT INFORMATION [...] Post submits current contact information as requested in reftel for leadership at Post and for key host government officials. 2. Mission contact information: Country Code (Madagascar): +261 Country Code (Comoros): +269 IVG Access Code: 590 24 hour Switchboard: 20 22-212-57/58/59; 20 [...] |
2007-09-17 08:50:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | AMGT PGOV MA CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO933 |
AU SANCTIONS NEXT IN THE COMOROS IMPASSE? [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Government of the Union of the Comoros (GOC) is expecting the African Union (AU) to apply concrete measures against rebel Anjouan warlord Col. Mohamed Bacar when its Foreign Ministers meet September 18 in Cape Town. Privately, we have heard the next step is likely to be sanct [...] |
2007-09-17 13:34:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM PTER MOPS CN AU MO |
| 07ANTANANARIVO935 |
COMOROS: PRESIDENT APPEALS TO U.S. WHILE HOPING [...] (C) Summary: With virtually his whole country's progress and prospects held hostage over the continuing impasse in Anjouan (reftel), Union of the Comoros President Ahmed Abdallah Sambi nonetheless projected an air of friendly calm in his first meeting with Ambassador Marquardt on September [...] |
2007-09-18 09:36:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM PTER MOPS CN AU MO |
| 07ANTANANARIVO955 |
FLIGHT SCHEDULE FOR PRESIDENT SAMBI TO THE 62ND [...] Post has been advised by the Government of the Union of the Comoros of the following flight itinerary for President Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi and delegation to New York for the 62ND UNGA. All times are local. THU SPT 20 Depart Moroni 14:55 Kenya Air 455 Arrive Na [...] |
2007-09-19 06:27:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL OTRA OVIP UNGA CN |
| 07ANTANANARIVO98 |
OSAMA BIN LADEN'S BROTHER IN LAW, MOHAMMED JAMAL [...] (SBU) Post became aware of media reports early this morning that Mohammed Jamal Khalifa, brother in law of Osama bin Laden, had been murdered during a "raid" and robbery in the early morning hours of January 31, 2007. The inital report came from the Reuters bureau in Dubai; "Saudi businessman [...] |
2007-01-31 12:06:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | SECRET | ASEC PTER MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO99 |
ANTAQNARIVO: ANNUAL CRIME EVALUATION QUESTIONNAIRE (ACEQ)Q [...] (U) CRIME MOBILITY: B. Criminal elements generally concentrate their activities in high crime areas, but sometimes enter nearby neighborhoods, including those containing Mission housing. COMMENT: Criminal elements in the capital usually focus on densely populated areas and commercial zone [...] |
2007-01-31 13:17:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC KRCM MA |
| 07ANTANANARIVO998 |
LUKEWARM COMORAN REACTION TO LATEST AU MEETING [...] (U) Six "concerned" African Foreign Ministers met in Cape Town September 18 to discuss the ongoing de facto secession in Anjouan, Union of the Comoros. This Ministerial Council adopted the recommendations of an experts group that met in Addis Ababa September 4. While the declaration calls fo [...] |
2007-10-01 03:35:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM MOPS EAID PHUM CN |
| 08ANTANANARIVO1 |
ANTANANARIVO: 2007 ANNUAL CRIME EVALUATION [...] CRIME MOBILITY: B. Criminal elements generally concentrate their activities in high crime areas, but sometimes enter nearby neighborhoods, including those of Mission housing. Comment: Criminal elements in the capital usually focus on densely populated areas and commercial zones. However, [...] |
2008-01-02 11:24:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | ASEC KCRM MA |
| 08ANTANANARIVO136 |
KUWAIT FM IN COMOROS TO DISCUSS INVESTMENT [...] SUMMARY: Kuwait's Foreign Minister visited the Union of the Comoros February 16-17 to meet Union President Ahmed Abdallah Sambi and to discuss Kuwaiti investments. END SUMMARY. 2. Mohamed Mohamed Al-Sharji, Kuwait's Ambassador in Cairo accredited to the Comoros, told EmbOff that Kuwaiti [...] |
2008-02-19 10:41:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL EINV EAID KU CN |
| 08ANTANANARIVO137 |
COMOROS WAITS FOR ZUMA; ASSEMBLES HELICOPTERS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The Government of the Union of the Comoros and the Moroni diplomatic corps await South African (RSA) Foreign Minister Dlamini-Zuma's decision regarding when an international delegation might deliver an ultimatum to renegade Colonel Mohamed Bacar of Anjouan. The Union has obtai [...] |
2008-02-19 11:35:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV MOPS ASEC CN |
| 08ANTANANARIVO138 |
PROPOSED U.S. STATEMENT ON COMOROS [...] (SBU) As noted Reftel, the French Government has issued a strong statement of support for the Union of the Comoros and a condemnation of the illegitimate authorities governing the island of Anjouan. A rough translation follows in Paragraph Two. This comes in advance of French (and U.S.) part [...] |
2008-02-19 12:42:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV MOPS ASEC FR CN |
| 08ANTANANARIVO157 |
Mission to Anjouan - Bacar Still Intransigent [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Anjouan renegade Colonel Mohamed Bacar remained intransigent before an international delegation delivering an ultimatum February 27. The delegation later informed Union President Ahmed Sambi who was unsurprised, disappointed, and intent on a military solution to restore the [...] |
2008-02-28 08:23:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL MOPS KDEM PHUM PINR CN |
| 08ANTANANARIVO159 |
COMOROS 2007 TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS REPORT [...] (U) The Embassy Point of Contact for TIP is Political Officer Silvana Rodriguez. Ms. Rodriguez can be reached via email at RodriguezSD [at] state.gov, via telephone at 261.20.22.212.57, or via facsimile at 261.20.22.251.71. POLOFF Rodriguez spent approximately two hours preparing this report [...] |
2008-02-29 10:27:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KCRM KWMN SMIG KFRD ASEC PREF ELAB CN |
| 08ANTANANARIVO162 |
MADAGASCAR 2007 TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS REPORT [...] (U) SUMMARY: Madagascar is not a country of origin, transit or des 2. (U) The Embassy Point of Contact for TIP is Political Officer Silva 3. (U) As requested in Ref A, Embassy Antananarivo submits the followi -- 27 A-D. (U) Available statistics and reports do not indicate that Ma [...] |
2008-02-29 11:26:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KCRM KWMN SMIG KFRD ASEC PREF ELAB MA |
| 08ANTANANARIVO164 |
MADAGASCAR 2007 TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS REPORT [...] (U) SUMMARY: Madagascar is not a country of origin, transit or destination for internationally trafficked men and women. During the year, there were reports of labor and sex trafficking in persons (TIP) within the country's borders. Cultural values; poverty; low-level corruption; lack of a [...] |
2008-02-29 11:52:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KCRM KWMN SMIG KFRD ASEC PREF ELAB MA |
| 08ANTANANARIVO179 |
ISLANDS TENSELY AWAIT MILITARY ACTION [...] (U) The three islands in the Union of the Comoros tensely await impending military action. African Union (AU) Representative Mourad Taiati told international reporters in Moroni on March 4 that, "Today, everyone has taken our [AU] position. [Mohamed Bacar] is isolated and the military operati [...] |
2008-03-06 14:13:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL MOPS KDEM PHUM PINR CN |
| 08ANTANANARIVO181 |
MADAGASCAR/COMOROS RESPONSE RE FISCAL [...] (SBU) Post replies to Reftel questions below for Madagascar: Madagascar - - - - - - - - - - A. Host country's budget is made public. B. Budget is made public via publication. C. Revenues and expenditures: The GOM has worked at length with the World Bank and other donors to imp [...] |
2008-03-07 09:16:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON PREL MA CN |
| 08ANTANANARIVO192 |
Comoros: Colonel Bacar Letter to Secretary Rice [...] (SBU) In an apparent response to the Ambassador's March 7 op-ed in the Comoran media endorsing Union and African Union actions, Anjouan's Colonel Bacar sent Post a letter for Secretary Rice on March 11. In it, Bacar repeats the same legal-constitutional arguments he made during 2007 in Cape T [...] |
2008-03-12 09:26:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL MOPS KDEM PHUM PINR CN |
| 08ANTANANARIVO195 |
Why We Should Help the Comoros with Maritime Logistical [...] (SBU) As I write this, AU troops from Tanzania and Senegal, and perhaps also Sudan and Libya, are arriving in Moroni, on Grande Comore Island, by various means. According to the Union government, over 1,000 foreign troops are expected to come augment their own "Army of National Development" [...] |
2008-03-13 09:31:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL MOPS KDEM PHUM PINR CN |
| 08ANTANANARIVO198 |
MADAGASCAR "REGIONAL COUNSELOR" ELECTIONS MARCH 16 [...] In the final days before the March 16 elections for 147 regional counselors, the fifth election Madagascar has seen in just 15 months, campaign season is finally picking up some speed. Voters around the country have expressed fatigue and a general lack of understanding regarding the role of r [...] |
2008-03-13 12:00:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR MA |
| 08ANTANANARIVO200 |
Comorans Describe Transport Needs; Op Plan Pending [...] (SBU) Union of the Comoros Defense Minister Dossar sent the Ambassador March 13 a two-page fax outlining "characteristics of the boat needed" to support the combined Comoran/AU military action against Anjouan (complete translation below). While helpful, this is clearly insufficient detail and [...] |
2008-03-13 13:23:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL MOPS KDEM PHUM PINR CN |
| 08ANTANANARIVO212 |
"RAIDS" ESCALATE TO ARMED CONFLICT ON ANJOUAN [...] (SBU) Contacts in the Comoros report a Union Army (AND) "raid" on Anjouan beginning March 15 has turned into a series of battles. Having reportedly freed eight prisoners and taken two minor casualties, part of the AND landing force returned to its staging point in Moheli. However, a small AND [...] |
2008-03-17 14:06:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL MOPS KDEM PHUM PINR CN |
| 08ANTANANARIVO224 |
LIFE IN A "WILD WEST" SAPPHIRE MINING TOWN [...] (U) SUMMARY: Ilakaka, a town in Madagascar's southwest, is known both for the lucrative sapphire trade and its social consequences, including crime and exploitative labor. Most stories depict a dangerous town reminiscent of the "Wild West," where men stroll around carrying guns on their hips. [...] |
2008-03-19 14:06:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KCRM SMIG ECON ELAB EAID SOCI MA |
| 08ANTANANARIVO228 |
SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON ANJOUAN [...] (SBU) Actions Requested: Post recommends the Department issue a statement setting the record straight on the Anjouan problem in the Comoros. Suggested points in para 4. Post also recommends the Department pursue efforts to support Comoros' request that the UN Security Council not take up th [...] |
2008-03-20 12:24:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL MOPS KDEM PHUM PINR CN |
| 08ANTANANARIVO230 |
FORMER COMORAN PRESIDENT AZALI POSITIONS HIMSELF [...] (SBU) With increasing political and military activity in the Union of the Comoros (REFTEL), former Union President Assoumani Azali has stepped up his communication with Embassy Antananarivo. The latest was a statement from his political party, the Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros (CRC) [...] |
2008-03-20 12:30:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL MOPS KDEM PHUM PINR CN |
| 08ANTANANARIVO235 |
OPERATION TO TAKE BACK ANJOUAN MEETS LITTLE RESISTANCE [...] (SBU) Post has confirmed a force composed of Union Army soldiers and 80 to 100 Tanzanian soldiers under the African Union (AU) aegis landed on the Comoran island of Anjouan overnight from March 24 to 25 to take back the island from recalcitrant leader Colonel Mohamed Bacar. The assault began a [...] |
2008-03-25 09:34:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM MOPS PHUM CN |
| 08ANTANANARIVO236 |
TIM SWEEPS MADAGASCAR'S "REGIONAL COUNSELOR" ELECTIONS [...] (U) Unofficial results from Madagascar's first-ever elections for regional counselors on March 16 show the ruling TIM party won almost all of the 147 seats throughout the country. In a number of regions, only TIM candidates ran. Results are still being counted, but the average participation r [...] |
2008-03-25 11:50:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR MA |
| 08ANTANANARIVO242 |
ANJOUAN CALM, FRENCH IN HOT WATER IN MORONI [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Anjouan remains calm following Union of the Comoros and African Union deployment to the island with no resistance from Colonel Bacar's forces (REFTEL). Union Vice President Ikililou will lead an interim island government in Anjouan until elections can be held. Rumors continue [...] |
2008-03-27 10:19:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL MOPS KDEM PHUM PINR CN |
| 08ANTANANARIVO25 |
PRESIDENT SAMBI DETERMINED TO LIBERATE ANJOUAN [...] (C) SUMMARY: Following Assistant Secretary Jendayi Frazer,s first visit to the Union of the Comoros (septel), Ambassador Marquardt held a number of meetings with President Sambi, high-level Union Government officials, and members of the international community to discuss the possibility of a [...] |
2008-01-14 15:49:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM PHUM MOPS CN |
| 08ANTANANARIVO257 |
COMOROS QUIET BUT TENSE AS IT PONDERS NEXT STEPS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Following the swearing in of the Interim President of Anjouan (reftel), African Union (AU) and Union Army troops remain on alert against potential violence on the island of Anjouan. The mood in the Comoros is quiet but tense as people await France's decision regarding the legal [...] |
2008-04-03 14:12:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL MOPS KDEM PHUM PINR CN |
| 08ANTANANARIVO277 |
LETTER TO POTUS FROM COMORAN PRESIDENT - APRIL 7 [...] (U) Paragraph Two contains an informal Embassy translation of a letter in French from Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi, President of the Union of the Comoros, for President George Bush. It was delivered via faxed copy of a Diplomatic Note dated April 7, 2008. A scanned copy of the French original [...] |
2008-04-09 14:10:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL EAID SOCI OPDC CN |
| 08ANTANANARIVO281 |
MADAGASCAR'S POSITION ON ZIMBABAWE DEMARCHE [...] No summary [...] |
2008-04-10 14:25:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV CASC ZI MA |
| 08ANTANANARIVO286 |
LETTER TO POTUS FROM COMORAN PRESIDENT - APRIL 10 [...] (U) Paragraph Two contains an informal translation of this week's second letter in French from Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi, President of the Union of the Comoros, for President George Bush. Reftel contains the text of the first letter. It was delivered via faxed copy of a Diplomatic Note dat [...] |
2008-04-11 10:58:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL EAID SOCI OPDC CN |
| 08ANTANANARIVO31 |
COLONEL BACAR CRACKS DOWN ON ANJOUAN RESIDENTS [...] (U) Tension continues to escalate throughout the Union of the Comoros. With the possibility of a Union Army landing to take back Anjouan growing every day (refs), Colonel Mohamed Bacar is consolidating his control over the island. He is reportedly positioning his forces at the hospital in the [...] |
2008-01-15 14:41:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL MOPS KDEM PHUM PINR CN |
| 08ANTANANARIVO319 |
COMORAN FOREIGN MINISTER INTERVIEWED IN REUNION [...] (U) In a televised interview during a visit to Reunion on March 22, Comoran Foreign Minister Ahmed Jaffar declared that deposed Anjouan leader Mohamed Bacar "should face the justice system in his country [the Union of the Comoros] to respond for his actions on the charges levied against him and [...] |
2008-04-24 13:56:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM PHUM PINR CN |
| 08ANTANANARIVO325 |
TIM SHARES SENATE WITH TOKEN OPPOSITION LEADERS [...] (U) Madagascar's new Senate, reduced from 90 to 33 members, is now official. On April 25, the High Constitutional Court announced the names of the 22 senators, one for each of the 22 regions, chosen in indirect elections on April 20; all hail from the ruling TIM party. In a surprise move -- r [...] |
2008-04-28 14:00:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR MA |
| 08ANTANANARIVO332 |
RAVALOMANANA RESHUFFLES CABINET [...] (U) President Ravalomanana announced a new cabinet late April 30, naming five new Ministers and minor organizational changes. This second reshuffle in six months was expected after the recent Senate election (REFTEL). The complete new line-up is in Para 6. 2. (U) Both Minister of Decent [...] |
2008-05-02 06:47:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR MA |
| 08ANTANANARIVO39 |
MALAGASY MFA VIEWS ON COMORAN IMPASSE [...] (SBU) Malagasy Foreign Affairs Secretary General Mboara Andriarimanana and Cabinet Director Michel Martin Rajoelina shared their views on the current Comoros impasse with the Ambassador January 16. Both were very well "read-in" on the Comoran state of play, having followed reports from the Ma [...] |
2008-01-16 14:12:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM EAID MOPS PINR CN MA |
| 08ANTANANARIVO399 |
GOODS PRODUCED BY CHILD LABOR IN MADAGASCAR AND THE [...] (U) Per REF A, Post provides the following information regarding the use of forced labor and exploitative child labor in Madagascar and the Comoros. MADAGASCAR - - - - - - 2. (SBU) Post has previously reported on cases of child labor, mostly within the family unit, in the sapphire mine [...] |
2008-06-03 15:04:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KCRM GTIP SMIG ELAB MA CN |
| 08ANTANANARIVO4 |
DUELING NEW YEARS ADDRESSES IN COMOROS [...] (U) In his annual New Year's Eve speech addressing the nation, Union President Ahmed Abdallah Sambi called the crisis on Anjouan one of the defining events of 2007. However, he reassured the people, "the liberation of Anjouan" is due in early 2008; his next speech will announce the day the Nat [...] |
2008-01-03 13:42:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL MOPS KDEM PHUM PINR CN |
| 08ANTANANARIVO40 |
COMOROS REQUESTS FOLLOW-UP ON BILATERAL TALK REQUESTS [...] (U) Ambassador Marquardt met with Acting Foreign Minister Mourad Said Ibrahim January 11 for a review of bilateral relations in the wake of A/S Frazer's visit, which had focused on the Anjouan crisis (REF A). After reaffirming the mutual hope that USG involvement will assist in resolving that [...] |
2008-01-16 14:12:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR CN |
| 08ANTANANARIVO439 |
ANJOUAN ISLAND ELECTIONS CALM, RUNOFF SCHEDULED [...] (U) Official results from the Anjouan island presidential elections released by the Constitutional Court (CC) on June 18 show candidates Mohamed Djaanfari and Moussa Toybou well ahead of the other three candidates. Djaanfari won 44.18 percent of the vote, while Toybou came in a close second w [...] |
2008-06-19 14:21:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM MOPS PHUM CN |
| 08ANTANANARIVO440 |
GOM WELCOMES MADAGASCAR'S TIER ONE TIP STATUS [...] (U) SUMMARY: On June 12, in conjunction with the World Day Against Child Labor, Embassy Antananarivo organized a digital videoconference (DVC) featuring Ambassador Mark Lagon and Director of the Office for East Africa James Knight from Washington with high-level representatives from the Gover [...] |
2008-06-19 14:21:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KCRM KWMN ASEC ELAB EAID MA |
| 08ANTANANARIVO443 |
COMORAN PRESIDENT VISITS IRAN [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: On June 14, Union of the Comoros President Ahmed Abdallah Sambi and a high-ranking political and economic Comoran delegation arrived in Tehran for a three-day visit that included meetings with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, Foreign Minis [...] |
2008-06-20 10:14:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL EAID IR CN |
| 08ANTANANARIVO464 |
JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE IN MADAGASCAR [...] Starting May 28, the Malagasy Supreme Court weekly session began to examine more than 220 complaints regarding reported irregularities in the mayoral elections of December 12, 2007. To date around 70 complaints have been addressed, with the majority dismissed for not following correct legal p [...] |
2008-07-01 11:30:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM PINR MA |
| 08ANTANANARIVO499 |
COMOROS RESHUFFLE PORTENDS FEW CHANGES [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: On July 10, Union of the Comoros President Ahmed Abdallah Sambi reshuffled his cabinet with only minor changes. Main embassy interlocutors remained largely the same, with the exception of Abdourahim Bacar, who was downgraded from Minister of Education to Minister of Post and Te [...] |
2008-07-14 13:46:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KDEM PINR CN |
| 08ANTANANARIVO504 |
FRENCH AMBASSADOR PUSHED OUT OF MADAGASCAR [...] (U) Barely six months into his tour, Gildas Le Lidec, the French Ambassador to Madagascar, announced his imminent departure at the 14 of July National Day celebrations held at his residence. Shocking most of the assembly, including Foreign Minister Marcel Ranjeva, who was present as President [...] |
2008-07-16 12:11:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV FR MA |
| 08ANTANANARIVO523 |
COMOROS REJECTS CITIZENSHIP BILL FOR STATELESS ARABS [...] (U) The Union of the Comoros' Parliament recently rejected a bill that would confer Comoran citizenship on people in exchange for financial investment in the real estate market. According to Comoran Vice President Idi Nadhoim, in 1997 the Kuwaiti Government approached the Comoros with a propos [...] |
2008-07-29 09:26:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV KDEM PHUM CN |
| 08ANTANANARIVO524 |
MADAGASCAR'S FLAWED BUDGET PROCESS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The National Assembly of the Republic of Madagascar passed a supplemental budget to pay off arrears and to address the rising costs of food and fuel on the local population (REF A). The supplemental budget is financed by higher-than-expected local tax revenues as well as an in [...] |
2008-07-29 10:29:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD KIPR MA |
| 08ANTANANARIVO527 |
MADAGASCAR'S POSITION ON ZIMBABAWE DEMARCHE [...] No summary [...] |
2008-07-30 04:35:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV CASC ZI MA |
| 08ANTANANARIVO53 |
SEABOARD FIGHTS FOR LEVEL PLAYING FIELD IN MADAGASCAR [...] (U) SUMMARY: Seaboard Corporation continues to report difficulty in doing business in Madagascar, citing unfair competition from the President's TIKO conglomerate. Seaboard's Madagascar country manager has concluded the President is trying to force them out of the market. Seaboard has begun [...] |
2008-01-23 06:27:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD PREL ECON MA |
| 08ANTANANARIVO531 |
COMORANS PROTEST ACUTE FUEL SHORTAGE [...] (U) Hundreds of Comorans took to the streets of Moroni this week to protest acute fuel shortages. The demonstrators, many of them taxi drivers, remained peaceful and carried banners critical of President Sambi. 2. (SBU) EmbOffs (who visited the Comoros July 23-30) found fuel virtually un [...] |
2008-07-30 13:26:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD ENRG ASEC CN |
| 08ANTANANARIVO539 |
PRESIDENT SAMBI'S CAR STONED IN ANJOUAN [...] (SBU) Police contacts reported Comoran President Ahmed Sambi's car was stoned by angry protestors in Anjouan August 1. Presidential security forces fired in the air to disperse the crowds, who were venting their frustration with acute fuel shortages (Reftel). 2. (SBU) An Embassy NGO conta [...] |
2008-08-05 09:56:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV ECON ETRD ENRG ASEC CN |
| 08ANTANANARIVO540 |
MADAGASCAR'S PRESIDENT - PASSIONATE FOR AGRICULTURE [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Charge accompanied visiting agribusiness speaker Dr. Arthur Siaway in a call on President Marc Ravalomanana (at his request) for 75 minutes August 4. When encouraged to allow local markets of agricultural goods to reflect global prices as a way to stimulate production, Rava [...] |
2008-08-05 10:05:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL EAGR ECON PGOV MA |
| 08ANTANANARIVO572 |
Fatigued Comorans Anxious About Ramadan [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Fuel stocks are dwindling without another shipment confirmed, leading Comorans to fear Ramadan celebrations will be affected. President Sambi's popularity remains low and is not helped by his frequent absences. In this context, the GOC will convene a planning meeting August 2 [...] |
2008-08-26 07:57:00 | Embassy Antananarivo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | |