VZCZCXRO7904
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMA RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO
DE RUEHAN #0692/01 2731101
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 301101Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2892
RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0193

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANTANANARIVO 000692 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E MBEYZEROV AND AF/PDPA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL SADC MA
SUBJECT: MADAGASCAR:  VITUPERATIVE ANTI-SADC RHETORIC FOLLOWS UNGA 
DEBACLE 
 
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SUMMARY 
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¶1. (U) The Malagasy transition government (HAT) and its allies are 
clearly frustrated by the successful efforts of the Southern African 
Development Community (SADC) to block the scheduled speech of HAT 
President Andry Rajoelina at the United Nations General Assembly 
last week.  On Monday September 28, Pro-HAT newspapers published 
vitriolic and overtly racist articles concerning SADC's motivation 
for blocking Rajoelina from speaking.  Meanwhile, on September 30, 
the HAT Prime Minister, Monja Roindefo, issued a press release on 
behalf of his cabinet condemning SADC's actions - see complete text 
Para 3.  Finally, HAT political allies threatened to withhold visas 
to International Contact Group (ICG) mediators led by SADC 
representative former Mozambican President Joachim Chissano for the 
October 6 ICG meeting scheduled in Antananarivo. For an 
unconstitutional government yearning for legitimacy and 
international recognition, Rajoelina's failed attempt to speak to 
the General Assembly has clearly caused panic amongst his backers - 
but Roindefo's actions are also intended to save his own seat in the 
faltering government.  End Summary. 
 
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PRO-HAT PRESS ACCUSE SADC OF RACISM? 
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¶2. (U) The Malagasy transition government (HAT) and its media allies 
have long been frustrated in their efforts to establish legitimacy 
and recognition in the eyes of the international community. 
Following last week's successful efforts to block Rajoelina from 
speaking at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) these allies 
have now lashed out in the press.  Daily newspaper, La Verite (The 
Truth), the mouthpiece of the HAT, published the most vitriolic 
response on September 28, accusing the member countries of the 
Southern African Development Community (SADC) of "unhealthy and 
Machiavellian maneuvers by 'niggers' whose evil vies with 
stupidity."  Meanwhile, pro-HAT La Gazette qualified SADC countries 
as "horrible, detestable and even racist."  Radio commentators from 
Rajoelina's VIVA Radio, criticized SADC countries as "savage and 
uncultured." 
 
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PRIME MINISTER ROINDEFO CONDEMNS SADC 
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¶3. (U) On September 30, the office of transition government's (HAT) 
Prime Minister Monja Roindefo issued a press release condemning the 
Southern African Development Community and its member countries for 
blocking HAT President Andry Rajoelina from speaking at last week's 
United Nations General Assembly - text below.  The press release was 
carried by the majority of Malagasy dailies. 
 
Begin text: 
Pursuant to the Cabinet Meeting of Tuesday, September 29, 2009, we, 
the National Union Government, led by Prime Minister Monja Roindefo 
Zafitsimivalo, have reached the following unanimous resolutions: 
 
We strongly condemn the irregular and scandalous procedure that 
prevented the Malagasy Nation from enjoying its legitimate right to 
express itself through its President of the High Authority of the 
Transition, H. E. Mr. Andry Nirina Rajoelina, at the official stand 
during the 64th United Nations General Assembly. 
 
We condemn the seditious agreement of SADC countries which prompted 
this humiliation. 
 
We request official apologies from SADC member countries for their 
offense to our national sovereignty.  Failing that, the Government 
of Madagascar shall take the appropriate measures regarding its SADC 
membership. 
 
We reiterate that the government's priority remains that of holding 
elections as soon as possible. 
 
Antananarivo, September 29, 2009. 
On behalf of the Government, 
The Prime Minister, Head of the Government 
//signature// 
MONJA Roindefo Zafitsimivalo (End text.) 
 
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HAT THREATENS TO BLOCK ENTRY OF CONTACT GROUP 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶4. (U) Still reeling from international embarrassment at the United 
Nations, the HAT indicated that it might refuse visas and entry to 
Madagascar of officials from SADC countries.  According to Reuters, 
 
ANTANANARI 00000692  002 OF 002 
 
 
Prime Minister Roindefo claimed to have sent letters to SADC Member 
states with missions in Madagascar and others wh0 voted against TGV 
speaking (e.g. India) demanding an explanation.  Roindefo was quoted 
as saying that "further actions will depend on the response we 
receive to our demands for an explanation."  International Contact 
Group (ICG) mediators, led by SADC representative and former 
Mozambican President Joachim Chissano are expected in Madagascar in 
the coming days for the ICG meeting on October 6. 
 
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RAJOELINA SILENT 
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¶5. (U) Throughout all of this, HAT President Rajoelina has made no 
public comment since his rejection in New York.  He is officially 
expected to return to Madagascar September 30 after meetings in 
Paris. 
 
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COMMENT 
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¶6. (SBU) From the time he took power in March, Rajoelina has craved 
recognition and legitimacy from the international community.  Last 
week's UNGA fiasco has proved to be a major setback for him and his 
transitional government.  Prior to his departure for UNGA, the HAT 
and Rajoelina had been touting his trip as the international 
community's "recognition" of the HAT.  Two of Rajoelina's most 
ardent media cronies traveled with him to New York, reporting back 
daily of how warmly he was being received by other delegations and 
by New Yorkers.  It comes as no surprise that they would now turn up 
the heat on SADC and dissuade the Malagasy people from supporting 
the Maputo process.  Additionally, by defending TGV as ardently as 
he is, Roindefo is also making it much harder and more awkward for 
the President to dismiss him when he returns, as required under 
Maputo. 
 
Marquardt