Toward a more active, and more meaningful diplomatic role

Prime Minister Jacques Sylla stated that within the prevailing framework, which started on May 6, 2002, ?France and Madagascar are engaged in a relationship of quality?. Everyone knows that the relationship went through major ups and downs, but the prime minister did not want to pinpoint where it is today, after the ?Friends of Madagascar? conference. To satisfy a member of the foreign press?s discerning point of view, Prime Minister Jacques Sylla simply stated that the time is not right for analyzing, and speculating over Madagascar?s relationships with France, and the United States. This was his way of deflecting publicity bullets away from speculations which the diplomatic, and geostrategic considerations of the southwestern Indian Ocean region do not allow.

This does not keep the obviously intense competition between France, and the United States, inside, and outside official channels, from heating up even more, and fueling public opinion. The unexpected visit of the French Foreign Minister, the recall of the French Ambassador back to Quai d?Orsay, the offer of service of high speed patrol boats to complete what the United States have announced, are all evidence of this atmosphere of competition. In any event, the Americans would like to beef up and refine their relationship with Madagascar. The latest visit to Antananarivo, a few weeks back, of a private US citizen, hosted by Malagasy civilians, and politicians, is a way for the American Cultural Center to further support the shifting tide of change.

Aware of the sensitive nature of the situation, and in the interest of political correctness, Prime Minister Jacques Sylla justified the present quality of the Franco-Malagasy relationship as the result of recent momentous firsts, such as the first time a French Prime minister received his Malagasy counterpart, and the first time a French senate president welcomed a Malagasy Prime Minister to his palace. Some would contend that these were mere gestures, but let us not forget that they generated concrete results. In accordance with Ambassador De Laboulaye?s July 14, 2002 declarations, at Ivandry, France truly intends to remain Madagascar?s primary partner; additionally, she offered US$150 million, on July 26. She insisted that, within the framework of this Franco-Malagasy cooperation, they are primarily interested in the departments of Finance, Budget, and Justice.

Undoubtedly, it is from this perspective that one must view the technical assistance provided by France in the oversight and control of the Island?s finances, and banking. Diplomatically, this is a reasonable strategy, but it draws sharp criticism from within an ever increasing number of Malagasy business circles, especially the overly ambitious newcomers who suspect the existence of discriminatory practices, favoring the ?friends?, or the ?members of the network?. One must understand that the American offensives of the last few months have something to do with this. After ?Jean Marc?, and the others, here comes the former Mayor of Baltimore, a long-time friend of President Ravalomanana. He just recommended American advisers who are industrialization, private sector support, and AGOA experts.

In a word, the Malagasy diplomatic relation is today a hot commodity, because France and the United States are not the only countries vying for attention. There are also China, Mauritius, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, Great Britain, India, Spain, and many others, without mentioning countries of South Asia. They all would like to solidify their relationship with Madagascar, and make the best of the partnership in this period of recovery, emergency, and rapid development. This is mainly why, on July 7, 2002, Marc Ravalomanana publicly called to all friendly countries to provide Madagascar with public works heavy equipment, and machinery. It is expected that the German prototype used when he was still Mayor of the capital will be brought forth as an example. As a reminder, the Germans privately equipped the city hall with various equipment (including, but not limited to ambulances, dump trucks, street sweepers, roadsigns, and trash bins).

Translated by J. F. Razanamiadana