President Ravalomanana in Switzerland – a political success

They arrived in Switzerland on the morning of January 21, 2003. The first order of business for President Ravalomanana was a meeting with an FJKM-Switzerland delegation, at the Protestant cathedral of the city of Calvin. Subsequently, he attended a conference which gathered Switzerland, and neighboring France?s Malagasy community.

Some 500 Malagasy expatriates live in Geneva, and its surrounding areas. The 300 seat conference room, compliments of OMPI, was filled to capacity. The conference was organized by TIM-Switzerland. Guests of honor included several prominent Geneva officials, as well as Mr. Beriziki, Madagascar?s Ambassador to Brussels – also in charge of the Island?s bilateral relations with Switzerland, and Mr. Rambeloson, Madagascar?s Ambassador to the United Nations, who has recently arrived in Geneva.

The evening culminated in a reception organized by the Diplomatic Club to honor President Ravalomanana. As expected, the event was also standing room only. On Tuesday, the President met with Mr. Couchepin, president of the Swiss Alliance. He also gave a news conference, and concluded the day with the inauguration of EMA-Invest.

President Ravalomanana gave his audience clear and concise speeches, reiterating his promises. He stressed his firm desire to resolve the so called “Arnold Affair”- the 1996 assassination of a Swiss Cooperation member which, to date, still remains unsolved. He reminded his audience that the fight against corruption is among his team?s top priorities. He also called on the Malagasy community to actively participate in Madagascar?s development.