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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANTANANARIVO 000642 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E AND AF/O 
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU - AMB COURVILLE 
ACCRA FOR AF PDAS LINDA THOMAS-GREENFIELD 
PARIS FOR D'ELIA 
PRETORIA FOR POLCOUNS 
NSC FOR DIRECTOR PITTMAN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/29/2017 
TAGS: PGOV PREL AU EAID PHUM PINR ASEC MOPS CN
SUBJECT: COMORAN PRESIDENT SEEKS U.S. POLITICAL SUPPORT 
 
REF: A. ANTANANARIVO 636 
 
     ¶B. ANTANANARIVO 585 
 
Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES GEORGE N. SIBLEY FOR REASONS 1.4 B,D 
 
¶1. (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 
disappointment (REF A) in the AU Ministerial delegation that 
arrived in the Comoros promising to deliver an ultimatum for 
Bacar -- but that left promoting a negotiation that would 
seem to place the elected Union government on equal status 
with the rebels.  Sambi is no longer -- as in Ref B -- asking 
the U.S. for direct military support (although he would no 
doubt still welcome it) but rather for political support to 
press the AU toward a stronger response.  Post endorses this 
approach.  END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2. (SBU) BEGIN TEXT OF LETTER 
 
UNION OF THE COMOROS 
Unity - Solidarity - Development 
 
The President, 
 
Moroni, June 27, 2007 
 
No. 07-296/PR 
 
Excellency, 
 
It is an honor for me to inform you, as I always have the 
pleasure to do so, of the recent events that have occurred in 
my country. 
 
As scheduled, the second round of the island presidential 
elections in Grande Comore and Moheli were held in peace, 
under the supervision and security measures by International 
and Regional Organizations, namely the African Union, the 
Arab Nations League, the Francophony, the European Union and 
the Indian Ocean Commission. 
 
As you are aware, a ministerial delegation from countries in 
the region visited our country on June 24 to follow up on the 
Cape Town Meeting of June 19, 2007, requesting local 
authorities in Anjouan to implement the measures decided by 
the Committee, immediately and without any condition. 
 
To our surprise, the Ministerial Committee has considered the 
conditions stated by Colonel Mohamed Bacar who, with the 
pretext of dysfunction within the Constitutional Court, 
rejects the immediate implementation of the Communique; 
however, he has submitted a request to the same Court on June 
8, which proves that he does not reject the credibility of 
said Court. 
 
It is needless to be reminded that this is not the first 
manipulation perpetrated by Colonel Mohamed Bacar, whose sole 
objective is to remain forever in power and postpone the 
organization of free elections during which he will 
undoubtedly be defeated. 
 
Now, the Committee suggests organizing new negotiations in 
South Africa, and in the presence of rebels from Anjouan, 
before moving forward in the implementation of the decisions 
made in Cape Town, a proposal that has been rejected by the 
Comoran Government. 
 
Excellency, any delay in the immediate and unconditional 
implementation of the measures decided in Cape Town would 
jeopardize peace and stability and question the credibility 
of our Pan-African Organization, on which we depend to put an 
end to the anarchy threatening the principles of national 
legitimacy in Africa, and for which you have always provided 
your support. 
 
 
ANTANANARI 00000642  002 OF 002 
 
 
Therefore, I remain confident that your fellow country will 
continue to support the rights of the Comoran people for 
democracy and development, and that you will take some 
measures in favor of the continuation of our country's 
democratic progress. 
 
Excellency, I have shown a considerable deal of patience and 
tolerance despite the humiliations of the rebels in Anjouan, 
so as to avoid any bloodshed in the Comoros. 
 
The Comoran Government and people have had a lot of hope in 
the effective implementation of the decisions made in Cape 
Town; unfortunately, the situation has become even more 
confusing at the end of the visit by the Ministerial 
Committee in our country. 
 
Today, the rebellion movement imposed by Colonel Bacar feels 
encouraged and supported in its actions and therefore, the 
Comoran Government is obliged to find a quick solution to 
protect the country's integrity and put an end to the 
sufferings of the population in Anjouan, taken hostage for 
years and who continue to claim their legitimate right to be 
allowed to freely express their dedication to national unity. 
 
Excellency, when I consider the constant support that you 
have provided to help overcome past hardships, I am 
encouraged to confirm the importance of your personal role, 
once again, in resolving the Comoran crisis. 
 
Therefore, I would be very grateful if you could support the 
request by the Comoran Government to hold rapidly an 
Extraordinary Meeting of the Peace and Security Council, 
within the 9th Summit of the African Union in Accra, to 
authorize the revision of the mandate of the Electoral and 
Security Assistance Mission, so as to allow this latter to 
maintain order in Anjouan, which would facilitate the rapid 
and unconditional organization of free and transparent 
elections in this island, like in the other two. 
 
I thank you in advance for urgently considering this request. 
 
//signature// 
AHMED ABDALLAH MOHAMED SAMBI 
 
(END TEXT) 
 
¶3. (C) COMMENT:  Sambi's request of the U.S. is more moderate 
on this occasion.  It appears likely -- although not certain 
-- that an AU force could recover control of Anjouan without 
the shedding of any blood.  Making clear in advance that the 
rebels would not be prosecuted if they surrender peacefully 
and allowing Bacar to retire to exile would increase the 
likelihood of a peaceful outcome.  By contrast, if the Union 
is left unsupported in trying to retake Anjouan with its own 
forces, Bacar is highly unlikely to yield and significant 
loss of life may result.  The remaining option is simply 
accepting the de facto secession of Anjouan and its takeover 
by a dictator.  For these reasons, Post encourages the 
Department to consider positively Sambi's request for 
political support at the AU Summit in Accra. 
 
¶4. (C) COMMENT CONTINUED:  If the Department concurs in this 
approach, a letter to President Sambi affirming that we stand 
by him in his effort to restore democracy throughout his 
archipelagic nation would help to reinforce our strong 
bilateral ties.  END COMMENT. 
 
SIBLEY