Source : http://wl.wikileaks-press.org/cable/2009/03/09ANTANANARIVO193.html
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANTANANARIVO 000193
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/E-MBEYZEROV
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV MA
SUBJECT: CUTTING NON-HUMANITARIAN AID TO MADAGASCAR
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Post strongly supports suspending all
non-humanitarian aid to Madagascar in the wake the recent
unconstitutional transfer of power. In doing so, in order to
continue to support the impoverished Malagasy people to the largest
extent possible while still sending an unmistakable signal to new
leadership about what they need to do to re-establish constitutional
rule, we suggest distinguishing between direct
government-to-government programs, which should be terminated or
suspended immediately (e.g. MCC, DOD, law enforcement training), and
the far larger humanitarian portion represented by USAID and other
agencies at post. Maintaining the assistance that directly benefits
the impoverished people of Madagascar, while cutting aid to an
undemocratic government, would be consistent with U.S. values and
maintain our warm and enduring relations with the people of
Madagascar, while delivering on our promise that there would be
consequences for pursuing an extra-constitutional path. Post
believes that the USG can continue to positively impact the lives of
millions in one of the world's poorest countries, without
compromising on important principles in the process. END SUMMARY.
CUTTING DIRECT ASSISTANCE TO THE GOM
------------------------------------
¶2. (SBU) We propose terminating or suspending programs in which the
USG directly finances GOM programs, or provides training or
resources to government entities or personnel. We have identified
the following three programs as falling into this category:
¶3. (SBU) THE MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE ACCOUNT: Madagascar is patently
no longer an "MCA country" and this program should be terminated
immediately. The MCC compact in Madagascar works directly with the
ministries of Land Tenure Reform, Finance, and Agriculture in the
implementation of the program. In addition, the Compact's Steering
Committee, which is responsible for overall program oversight,
consists of the Ministers from these three ministries. The $110
million program is in the fourth year of implementation, has
disbursed roughly $65 million, and has committed over $80 million.
¶4. (SBU) Immediate termination of the Compact will have a sharply
negative impact. Over 230 land offices that have secured land
rights for roughly 20,000 families will be shut down. The program's
6 Agricultural Business Centers, currently providing technical
assistance to over 14,000 farmers, will need to be closed. The
installation of the national inter-bank payment system, which was
worth $12 million and planned to be completed in mid-2009, will need
to be discontinued. In addition, the possibility of securing or
transferring program assets in a manner that would allow for future
use and benefit by the country's citizens is problematic, as these
assets would normally go to the government entity responsible for
the sustaining the program's activities.
¶5. (SBU) Although it would be possible to suspend the Compact for a
period of up to 3 months, anything past this period would result in
termination of contracts by contractors and insufficient time to
finish the program activities. If the decision is made to terminate
the Compact, contractors will be notified of termination and all
program activities will be immediately ceased. Complete
administrative and financial close-out of the program will take an
estimated 4 months.
¶6. (SBU) ALL DEFENSE PROGRAMS: All DOD assistance should be
suspended.
¶7. (SBU) LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING: This program also should be
suspended. Around 60 candidates have been identified for training
on drug interdiction, false document recognition and controlled
substance delivery methods through ICE with funding through AFRICOM.
Ten candidates from the Police, Gendarme, and Customs were selected
for a management skills training at ILEA Roswell, New Mexico, and
the FBI Academy in Quantico approved long term training (of six
months) to two police candidates.
¶8. (SBU) Peace Corps: Already suspended.
KEEPING NON-GOVERNMENTAL ASSISTANCE TO THE PEOPLE OF MADAGASCAR
------------------------------ --------------------------------
¶9. (SBU) Outside MCC, the bulk of USG assistance in Madagascar does
not have a direct connection to the national government, and could
and, in our view, should be maintained if possible. The mission's
work in malaria prevention, food aid, disaster relief, health
improvement, and rural development is the foundation of our
relationship with the people of Madagascar, benefitting literally
millions of people.
¶10. (SBU) US AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Because of its
ANTANANARI 00000193 002 OF 002
essentially humanitarian and people-to-people (rather than
govt.-to-govt.) character, we propose maintaining as much as
possible of the USAID program in Madagascar. This program
critically assists the most vulnerable of Madagascar's 20 million
people. FY 2009 foreign assistance is projected to be about $51
million. This includes $15 million in PL 480 Title II food aid,
$29.4 million in Child Survival and Health, and $6.6 million in
Development Assistance. USAID programs support alternative
livelihoods for farmers to help reduce pressure on Madagascar's
fragile ecosystems and improve food security, especially in areas
affected by cyclones and drought. USAID's health assistance
supports integrated program to save lives and improve health status
by combating malaria and promoting health services in family
planning, prevention of sexually transmitted infections, and
improving maternal and child health. Madagascar is a President's
Malaria Initiative (PMI) country with an estimated FY 2009 PMI
budget of $17. The PMI program has a target population of 12
million people, including pregnant women and children under five,
and is designed to reduce malaria mortality by 50 percent. If a
policy decision is taken to maintain all humanitarian aid to
Madagascar without working with or through the national government
(working instead with NGOs, implementing partners, local entities,
etc.), USAID would have to ensure, through restructuring as
necessary, that all its activities maintain that separation from the
government.
¶11. (SBU) PUBLIC AFFAIRS: Cultural and Exchange programs will not be
directly affected, but Post will carefully screen exchange grantees,
particularly International Visitor's Leadership Program (IVLP)
participants, to ensure that GOM officials do not participate.
¶12. (SBU) US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE: USDA provides financial
support to various NGOs in Madagascar. One of these, Land O'Lakes,
receives funding through USDA's Food for Progress Program. This
funding is used to provide educational workshops for community
leaders to increase knowledge about agricultural practices. Land
O'Lakes also uses the funding to purchase agricultural equipment for
farming communities.
¶13. (SBU) THE SPECIAL SELF-HELP PROGRAM: The Self-Help program
funds small development projects around Madagascar. These projects
are community-based, locally initiated, and must include
contributions from the communities. All funding from the Special
Self-Help program goes towards the purchase of materials for
developmental work and towards workshops that teach life skills.
MARQUARDT
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