VZCZCXRO4342
PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMA RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO
DE RUEHDS #1745/01 2040601
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 230601Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5591
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEPADJ/CJTF HOA PRIORITY
RUEWMFD/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 7917

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 001745 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/E, AF/S AND AF/RSA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV MA AU
SUBJECT: MADAGASCAR POLITICAL RIVALS AGREE TO MEET IN 
MOZAMBIQUE 
 
REF: ANTANANARIVO 526 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary:  The second International Contact Group 
meeting on Madagascar hosted by the African Union (AU) July 
22 condemned the violence occurring in Madagascar, called on 
all parties to refrain from extremism, expressed concern 
about arbitrary arrests, welcomed the appointment of former 
Mozambique President Joaquim Chissano as SADC mediator, and 
decided that a meeting between the country's four principal 
political rivals (Ravalomanana, Ratsiraka, Zafy, and 
Rajoelina) under Chissano's leadership, would take place in 
Mozambique by the first week of August. In a preparatory 
meeting of the EU, France, UK, and the US, France indicated 
that it intended to continue its military assistance to 
Madagascar and denied any involvement in supporting the coup. 
 End summary. 
 
¶2. (SBU) The AU hosted the second meeting of the 
International Contact Group (ICG) on Madagascar July 22 in 
Addis Ababa.  In preparation for the meeting, the French 
Ambassador to the AU hosted a dinner with three special 
envoys (OIF, UN, AU) and EU and American representatives July 
21, and the EU hosted a meeting with French, British, and 
American diplomats the morning of the 22nd.  These efforts 
helped to bring the international community to consensus on 
the main points to be included in the communique resulting 
from the ICG meeting, including the need for a consensual 
political process leading to fair and free elections, a 
warning against unilateral moves, and a condemnation of those 
who inflame the situation by using violence and extreme 
measures. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Although agreement was reached on the main points, 
there was disagreement on the idea of singling out the high 
transition authority (HAT) by calling for its continued 
isolation, and on calling for international partners to 
suspend military assistance.  In the morning meeting of July 
22, French Elysee representative Remi Marechaux made it clear 
that France had no intention of suspending its military 
assistance to Madagascar, and argued that the plane given to 
the Malagasy in February was given prior to the coup and 
that, despite rumors to the contrary, France was not involved 
in fomenting or supporting the coup.  Although all 
participants of the meeting hosted by the EU agreed that the 
naming of President Chissano as a mediator was a positive 
step, France supported the view that the AU should maintain 
the lead role, instead of SADC, unless the AU clearly decided 
to delegate that role. 
 
¶4. (SBU) AU Commission Chairperson Jean Ping opened the ICG 
meeting by calling for a "spirit of compromise" and rejecting 
"unilateralism" in the resolution of the Malagasy crisis. 
The four envoys (OIF, UN, AU, SADC), as well as SADC mediator 
Chissano, then briefed the participants on the events that 
had transpired since the last ICG meeting April 30.  Chissano 
explained that the four Malagasy political rivals had agreed 
to meet in Mozambique to move discussions forward.  UN 
Special Envoy Tiebile Drame lamented that the decision made 
in May that all four protagonists would be able to 
participate in future presidential elections was the root of 
current violence and instability.  He also asserted that the 
key to resolving the current impasse was to reach agreement 
that none of the four would run for president.  Such an 
agreement would pave the way for a deal on amnesty, an issue 
which had derailed the negotiations in June. (Comment: While 
a good idea, it is unlikely to be accepted by Rajoelina or 
Ravalomanana.  End comment.) 
 
¶5. (SBU) The participants were then given a chance to 
comment; French Elysee representative Marechaux said that 
France was opposed to unilateral solutions, expressed concern 
about the deterioration of the economic situation, 
particularly with the threats of EU aid suspension under the 
Cotonou agreement and the potential loss of AGOA benefits, 
and saluted the appointment of Chissano as SADC mediator. 
(Comment: Marechaux took the lead speaking role, rather than 
the A/S equivalent from the Quai D'Orsay Stephane Gompertz, 
who was also present, indicating the French presidency's 
interest in the issue.  End comment.)  Ambassador Yamamoto 
welcomed the leadership of Chissano, seconded the EU's point 
that the Malagasy should take ownership of the process, 
called for a consensual political process leading to free and 
fair elections, raised concerns of human rights abuses, 
 
ADDIS ABAB 00001745  002 OF 002 
 
 
violence, and arbitrary searches and seizures, called for the 
restoration of rule of law, and mentioned the measures the 
USG had taken to pressure the HAT by suspending aid.  The 
British supported these points and called for urgent action. 
The EU warned against unilateral actions and reiterated 
concerns about human rights abuses and violence. 
 
¶6. (SBU) Following those comments, the leaders of the 
Ratsiraka and Ravalomanana delegations, the only two present 
as the HAT boycotted and Zafy's delegation reportedly 
encountered logistical problems, were invited in to speak. 
Ratsiraka's representative called for the annulment of all 
legal charges against Ratsiraka and his supporters as a 
prerequisite to negotiations.  Ravalomanana's representative 
expressed concern about the lack of the HAT's political will 
to negotiate, as shown by their absence in Addis, and the 
threats, intimidation, and arrests of Ravalomanana 
supporters. 
 
¶7. (SBU) During the discussion about the communique, it was 
agreed that a mission led by SADC, the AU, OIF, and the UN 
would travel to Madagascar the last week of July to prepare 
for the meeting of the four principals in Mozambique to be 
held no later than the first week of August.  Chissano 
requested international support for this meeting, to which 
the EU responded favorably, but without commitment. The text 
of the communique will be forwarded by email separately once 
received. 
 
¶8. (SBU) Comment: Although the envoys were opposed to 
singling out and strongly condemning the HAT for fear of 
alienating them prior to negotiations, and the question of 
whether SADC or the AU has the lead was not clearly resolved, 
the results of the ICG-Madagascar were overall positive.  The 
agreement by the four presidents and transition leader to 
meet face to face in Mozambique in August, finalized while 
the ICG was in progress, and the ICG's support for Chissano's 
lead on this meeting, were breakthroughs that will hopefully 
be put into action.  End comment. 
YAMAMOTO