VZCZCXRO4501
OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHAN #0060/01 0221413
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 221413Z JAN 07
FM AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4191
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0782
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUEPADJ/CJTF-HOA CAMP LEMONIER
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHINGTON DC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANTANANARIVO 000060 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/E, AF/FO, INR/AA, AND DRL 
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO PEACE CORPS FOR DIRECTOR TSCHETTER AND 
PRESIDENTIAL MALARIA INITIATIVE FOR COORDINATOR ZIEMER 
PARIS FOR D'ELIA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR MA CN
SUBJECT: U.S. DELEGATION CONGRATULATES MADAGASCAR'S PRESIDENT 
 
ANTANANARI 00000060  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
REFTEL:  ANTANANARIVO 1289 
 
¶1. (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 congratulations and reiterated the USG's 
continued support for the Government of Madagascar's (GOM) ambitious 
Madagascar Action Plan (MAP) for development (reftel).  MAP goals 
outlined in the President's inaugural address included government 
decentralization, gender equality, increased private investment, and 
continued partnership with the international community.  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
¶2. (U) A Presidential Delegation led by Secretary of Agriculture 
Johanns and comprised of Peace Corps Director Ronald Tschetter, 
Coordinator for the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) Rear 
Admiral Timothy Ziemer, and Ambassador James McGee visited 
Antananarivo January 18 to 19 to attend the inaugural ceremonies for 
President Ravalomanana's second term. 
 
¶3. (U) The delegation's visit opened with a dinner hosted by the 
Ambassador January 18 with GOM officials including the Ministers of 
Health, Agriculture and Education, representatives of 
nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), U.S. business representatives, 
and members of the diplomatic community.  A number of meetings took 
place the following morning preceding the inaugural activities. 
Secretary Johanns met with French Minister of Agriculture Dominique 
 
SIPDIS 
Bussereau to discuss agricultural issues (septel).  Admiral Ziemer 
discussed opportunities for future collaboration in the PMI with 
USAID staff and over 30 implementing partners, including GOM 
officials.  Tschetter met with Peace Corps staff and half a dozen 
Peace Corps Volunteers. 
 
¶4. (U) A festive atmosphere marked the inaugural celebration.  For 
the first time in Malagasy history, the President gave his inaugural 
address in Malagasy, French, and English.  After a politically 
tumultuous campaign period, the President invited opposition parties 
and those who did not vote for him to partner in developing 
Madagascar.  In a speech heavily laden with business terminology, 
President Ravalomanana's message centered on transforming the 
country over the next five years based on the "bold and aggressive" 
MAP.  The goal would be clear, he said: "Results, results, results." 
 Emphasizing that leadership must emerge "from the bottom up," the 
President laid out plans to continue the trend of decentralization, 
including the empowerment and training of village leaders.  Calling 
gender equity a "top priority for my Government," Ravalomanana 
called on women young and old to assume positions of responsibility 
in government, politics and business.  He warned, "I say to you men 
who might be blocking the progress of women, please get out of the 
way!"  He vowed to continue making Madagascar a more 
business-friendly environment.  The President thanked international 
donors and invited the international community to do even more in 
partnering with Madagascar.  In conclusion, Ravalomanana vowed to 
hold himself accountable to make his second term even better than 
the first. 
 
¶5. (U) Following the inaugural ceremony, Comoran President Sambi 
spoke briefly with Ambassador McGee and Tschetter in a separate 
pull-aside (septel).  Secretary Johanns also met separately with the 
GOM Minister of Agriculture to reiterate continued U.S. support for 
the agricultural challenges posed by the MAP, specifically rural 
development and Madagascar's "Green Revolution." 
 
¶6. (U) The delegation's public activities concluded with a press 
conference extensively covered in local newspapers. 
 
¶7. (U) In a brief private meeting with President Ravalomanana 
following the investiture, the delegation again extended its 
congratulations from President Bush and credited Ravalomanana's 
progressive leadership style for Madagascar's comprehensive 
participation in U.S. programs.  Noting how the President 
spontaneously veered off course at the inaugural ceremonies to shake 
hands with his well-wishers before greeting the international 
community, they applauded his sound political instincts. 
 
COMMENT 
- - - - 
 
 
ANTANANARI 00000060  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶8. (U) Other than a few heads of state from nearby countries 
(Comoros, Mauritius and Lesotho), the U.S. delegation was the 
largest and most senior at the investiture.  It was also entirely 
appropriate that it be led by Secretary Johanns, who had visited 
Madagascar in 2005 and developed a relationship with President 
Ravalomanana.  The delegation's other members reinforced the ongoing 
and growing U.S. presence in Madagascar: the Peace Corps with its 
long and successful history in the country and the newly announced 
PMI representing the continuing expansion of our bilateral 
relationship.  Ravalomanana set high standards for himself, his 
government and his people in his inaugural address; he is seeking 
nothing less than the transformation of a highly traditional society 
that tends to be change-averse.  He will continue to seek more help 
from the international community in carrying out these changes, and 
he clearly appreciates what the United States has already done to 
help him and the people of Madagascar during his first term.  From 
the positive tone of the meetings, Post anticipates a strong working 
relationship with President Ravalomanana's second administration. 
END COMMENT. 
 
¶9. (U) The Presidential Delegation was not able to clear this cable 
before its departure. 
 
MCGEE