VZCZCXRO3845
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHBP #0402/01 1700954
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 190954Z JUN 09
FM AMEMBASSY BAMAKO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0479
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BAMAKO 000402 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PTER PINR KDEM ML
SUBJECT: ATT'S ANNIVERSARY PRESS CONFERENCE: "NO KIDDING, 
NO THIRD TERM" 
 
REF: BAMAKO 00387 
 
1.(SBU) Summary: In what has become an annual tradition, 
Malian President Amadou Toumani Toure held a press conference 
on June 8, 2009, the 7th anniversary of his first 
inauguration as President of Mali.  President Toure called 
for greater regional cooperation in countering Al Qaeda in 
the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), and highlighted domestic issues 
including projects under his Program for Economic and Social 
Development and his support for the Office of the Auditor 
General.  Toure also took the opportunity of the press 
conference to state unambiguously that not only will he not 
be a candidate for president in 2012, but that he was in fact 
anxious for his current term to end so that he can return to 
a simpler life.  End Summary. 
 
----------- 
On Hostages 
----------- 
 
3.(SBU) While praising the apparent end of the Tuareg 
rebellion earlier this year, President Toure acknowledged 
that northern Mali remains besieged by a wide variety of 
lawless forces, from bandits trafficking in drugs, cigarettes 
and people, to the Salafist terrorist group Al Qaeda in the 
Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).  Toure touted Mali's contributions to 
the struggle against terrorism, citing arrests of numerous 
Salafists by Malian authorities.  At the same time, Toure 
reiterated that AQIM is a regional problem, not just a Malian 
problem, and called once again for Mali's neighbors in the 
Sahel to join him in Bamako for a summit on security in the 
region. 
 
4.(SBU) President Toure expressed regret that he was unable 
to secure the release of Edwin Dyer, the British hostage 
executed by AQIM at the end of May, and said he would work 
tirelessly to secure the release of the remaining hostage, a 
Swiss citizen held since January 22.  At the same time, Toure 
ruled out the possibility of any military action to secure 
the Swiss citizen's release, stating simply that no one knew 
where the hostage was being held.  Moreover, Toure condemned 
the practice of paying ransoms to secure the release of 
hostages, noting that to do so would only encourage AQIM to 
continue its newly profitable activity.  Toure implied that 
Mali's partner countries had not paid ransoms, and specified 
that Mali had not contributed "one cent" to a ransom for the 
release of any hostages. 
 
------------------------------ 
Challenges and Accomplishments 
------------------------------ 
 
5.(SBU) President Toure acknowledged that the past year had 
witnessed dramatic increases in the price of basic consumer 
goods, and highlighted government steps to eliminate duties 
on food and gasoline and raise civil service salaries. 
Turning to developments under his Program for Economic and 
Social Development (PDES), he proudly listed work on Bamako's 
third bridge, the new freight terminal at Bamako's airport, 
the extension of the airport in Kayes, the Millenium 
Challenge Corporation's irrigation project in Alatona, new 
hospitals in Mopti, Sikasso, and Bamako, and the construction 
of a five-star hotel.  He touted Mali's progress during his 
presidency in reducing its internal and external debt, 
although some critics noted that most of this reduction came 
in the form of debt forgiveness, rather than fiscal 
discipline on the government's part.  He expressed his 
support for the beleagured Auditor General, Sidi Sosso 
Diarra, despite an external audit recommending the 
elimination of that office. 
 
 
------------- 
No Third Term 
------------- 
 
10.(SBU) With opposition media having flooded their pages 
with speculative and sometimes accusatory articles asserting 
that President Toure is preparing to try to remain for a 
third presidential term after 2012, the President used June 8 
as an opportunity to refute the speculation unambiguously. 
In answer to a direct question, President Toure stated 
clearly that he would not/not be a candidate.  Specifically, 
he said, "The Constitution of Mali is very clear.  It will be 
respected."  Toure then added that he is, in fact, impatient 
for his current term to end, because he is eager to return to 
a simpler life, including praying at the mosque in his home 
town of Mopti, and enjoying time with his granchildren.  In a 
possible allusion to Niger's Mamadou Tandja or Algeria's 
Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Toure underscored, "we do not want our 
assessment (of the constitutional limits on seeking a third 
 
BAMAKO 00000402  002 OF 002 
 
 
term) to embarrass certain countries who are themselves 
facing particular situations.  We are not trying to go to the 
head of the class."  Then, adding a humorous note to his 
answer, Toure noted that the Presidency was a difficult job, 
and "you (Malians) are difficult to lead."  Toure expressed 
wonderment that the question of a third term continued to 
arise, and asked rhetorically why no one believes him when he 
says he is not interested in a third term. 
 
11.(SBU) President Toure's promise not to seek a third term 
made the front page of nearly every Bamako newspaper on 
Tuesday, June 9.  Reaction has generally been positive, 
although some articles - and readers commenting online - have 
noted that President Toure waited until literally the last 
moment to announce his candidacy in 2002 and his bid for 
re-election in 2007.  The failed to note, however, that in 
both cases there was no constitutional impediment to his 
candidacy. 
 
----------------------------------- 
Comment: Drawing a line in the sand 
----------------------------------- 
 
12.(SBU) There is no reason not to take President Toure at 
his word.  It would have been very simple for Toure to meekly 
suggest that those who have suggested a third term do not 
speak for him.  Instead, the President went out of his way to 
speak unequivocally on the subject, and to state clearly that 
he will not be on the ballot in 2012.  It may be that Toure 
is attempting to draw a line in the sand; that if he presents 
the question of Mali's democratic legal framework as clear, 
and a third term as unthinkable and impossible, he will 
succeed in pushing all Malians to see it the same way. 
MILOVANOVIC