VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAN #0716 3010514
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 270514Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1716
INFO RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1040
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0101

UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000716 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/FO AND AF/E 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL ETRD PGOV CN
SUBJECT:  French Update on Comoros-Mayotte Issue 
 
¶1. (SBU)  SUMMARY:  France and the Comoros continue to address the 
Mayotte issue bilaterally, notwithstanding the Comoros' "symbolic" 
effort to raise the question at the UN General Assembly.  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
¶2.  (SBU)  French Ambassador to the Comoros Hallade told Comoros 
Officer October 24 that progress had been made bilaterally to 
address Comoros' concerns about French-controlled Mayotte.  (Note: 
France maintained control of Mayotte after independence in 1975, but 
Comoros still claims the island.  End Note.)  In Mayotte in 
September, French, Comoran, and local Mayotte officials met for the 
third session since June to address concerns about Mayotte.  They 
made progress toward a bilateral agreement that could be signed in 
early 2009 (possibly by French President Sarkozy, who may visit the 
region then).  France already agreed to reopen a Consular office in 
Anjouan to facilitate visa requests for Anjouanese to travel to 
Mayotte.  In Moroni, the Embassy will open a "Mayotte only" visa 
window to facilitate travelers.  The Ambassador noted the refusal 
rate for Comoran visa requests for Mayotte is only five percent 
(thus Comoran complaints about lack of access to Mayotte would seem 
exaggerated). 
 
¶3. (SBU)  In addition to gestures to improve visa services, France 
seeks to facilitate trade in goods between Comoros and Mayotte. 
This will include incentives for shipping and capacity building to 
help Comorans supply the Mayotte market (where buying power is many 
times higher).  France also seeks to have these periodic meetings -- 
the next is in Anjouan in November -- to evolve into a permanent 
institution to improve management of Comoros-Mayotte relations. 
Hallade noted Mayotte is hesitant in offering much to the Comorans. 
 
Mayotte "Consultation" (not/not Referendum) 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
 
¶3. (SBU) Ambassador Hallade clarified that Mayotte will hold a 
"consultation" in April, 2009, which does not have the legal impact 
of a referendum (Note:  Mayotte is an "overseas collectivity" 
somewhere between Overseas Territory and Overseas Department in 
status.  The vote will ask Mayotte's electorate if they wish to 
apply to be a Department.  End Note).  First, if the vote is in 
favor of "Department" status, it is not legally binding.  Paris will 
face political pressure, but will not have a legal obligation. 
Second, if the vote is yes and Paris agrees, it will take many years 
to reform Mayotte's laws and institutions to comply with French law 
and become a Department.  Third, Mayotte's status and relations with 
the Comoros will not change overnight; existing arrangements will 
remain in force.  Despite these nuanced details, the Ambassador 
agreed that the reaction in Comoros will likely be strong if the 
vote passes, given the emotional nationalist sentiment for Mayotte 
in the Comoros. 
 
¶4.  (SBU)  Commenting on the Comorans' October 23 effort in New York 
to put Mayotte on the UNGA agenda, the Ambassador said the GOC 
confirmed privately this symbolic move was meant to appease the 
pro-Mayotte groups in the Comoros.  Despite this effort, Hallade 
believes the GOC is committed to the bilateral solutions described 
above. 
 
MARQUARDT