2009.01.28: January 28, 2009: Headlines: COS - Madagascar: Safety: Blogs - Madagascar: Personal Web Site: Returned Peace Corps Volunteer one drop in the ocean writes: freedom of information -- in every language
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2009.01.28: January 28, 2009: Headlines: COS - Madagascar: Safety: Blogs - Madagascar: Personal Web Site: Returned Peace Corps Volunteer one drop in the ocean writes: freedom of information -- in every language
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer one drop in the ocean writes: freedom of information -- in every language
The following "official press release" from the Madagascar Presidency was emailed far and wide throughout the "connected" community this afternoon. I'm assuming that I got it as a result of my former Peace Corps Volunteer status, or because I'm registered at the US Embassy... ? A team of devoted fellow hunker-downers, just in the next room in our lovely "safe house", asked how they could help in this dynamic little information-sharing effort going on -- and were delighted at my request to translate the press release! Thanks guys.... amazing multi-national multi-lingual operation underway this evening. So voila and here you have it -- the French version, followed by the English version, of what the Ravalomanana Presidency is telling the people about the last few days' events. No claims as to what is true and what is not are being made here; just getting the word out to inquiring minds, in Madagascar and abroad.
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer one drop in the ocean writes: freedom of information -- in every language
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
freedom of information -- in every language
Caption: Madagascan soldiers on patrol in Antananarivo on January 29, 2009. The mayor of Madagascar's capital city, Andry Rajoelina, on Monday sought the removal of President Marc Ravalomanana in the wake of violent anti-government protests that left dozens dead. Photo: AFP/File/Richard Bouhet
The following "official press release" from the Madagascar Presidency was emailed far and wide throughout the "connected" community this afternoon. I'm assuming that I got it as a result of my former Peace Corps Volunteer status, or because I'm registered at the US Embassy... ?
A team of devoted fellow hunker-downers, just in the next room in our lovely "safe house", asked how they could help in this dynamic little information-sharing effort going on -- and were delighted at my request to translate the press release! Thanks guys.... amazing multi-national multi-lingual operation underway this evening.
So voila and here you have it -- the French version, followed by the English version, of what the Ravalomanana Presidency is telling the people about the last few days' events. No claims as to what is true and what is not are being made here; just getting the word out to inquiring minds, in Madagascar and abroad.
ENGLISH VERSION
Communique 1: Official communication
The President of the Republic of Madagascar, Marc Ravalomanana, accompanied by the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary, the Defence Minister and the Emmo Reg (Regional Operational Joint Chiefs of Staff) visited the sites of RNM and TVM today, in order to examine the damages. During the visit, he reminded people that the priority was to restore order, whatever the cost. The President therefore ordered the Emmo to work with everyone, including the mayor, in order to restore the situation. The Head of State explained that he ordered the armed forces and police not to intervene in Monday’s riots as “it is better that equipment be destroyed rather than human lives”. Any confrontation with the young TGV supporters would have resulted in many casualties. During his visit, the President revealed that the ex-mayor of Tamatave, Roland Ratsiraka, and General Dolin have been collaborating with the Mayor in his destructive activities. The government has issued a warrant for their arrest, and the French Foreign Secretary has been asked for his support on this issue. The President appealed to the population to stay calm, and to support the armed forces and police to restore order. Every option will be used to re-establish calm. He is currently touring the capital in order to examine the damage, including Tanjombato where criminals set fire to the Magro.
Communique 2: Official clarifications
-Some people have tried to worry the international community in Madagascar by spreading information about attacks, at Ivandry among others places. THERE ARE NO RIOTS IN IVANDRY
-Clarifications regarding the President’s answers during the RFI interview.
Interview by the RFI journalist:
Q-Mr President, have you met the mayor?
A- No.
Q-Do you want to meet him?
A-Not now, it is important to re-establish order
There was not categorical refusal: the priority is first to re-establish order.
During his speech, the mayor claimed that France did not support Madagascar, and that he has the support of the US. We have asked an official source at the Embassy, and it’s not true
One of the reasons the Mayor gave for not entering into a dialogue is that the 3 students must be freed, but they were freed before the meeting was meant to happen. So he just used this argument as an excuse to refuse the dialogue.
A youth committee has been formed in order to counter the Mayor’s statements that he represents the voice of young people. The reality is that the TGV member who was killed during the pillaging of MBS was just 14.
Communique 3 : Official clarifications
There are no mercenaries working for the STATE
The collaboration with the French Foreign Secretary is only in relation to the search for Roland Ratsirake and Dolin Rasolosoa
We know that the RFI representative in Madagascar is very representative, and that he has taped recordings of the interview. We do not understand why RFI France does not broadcast them as they are, and why they broadcast the opinions of people who do not live in Madagascar.
There have been no Government resignations.
The President of the Republic declared that he will not pursue any legal proceedings in relation to the pillaging of the Magros, because he understands that the Malagasy people are poor and hungry.
Actualités du pays :
13 :48 The Mayor has called for a « ghost town » today and tomorrow, and has organised a demonstration for Saturday. He has forbidden any shops and schools to open.
13 :44 The supporter of Andry Rajoelina who died during the confrontations on Monday was 14 years old. A large number of the Mayor’s demonstrators are adolescents.
13 :39 The Mayor has arrived at 13th May Square. He has repeated his demand for a general strike on Thursday 28th January, despite the fact that the country is already at a standstill since Monday.
13 :27 Tamatave. The armed forces have brought the situation at the port under control, while under attack.
13 :26 Androy. The four districts are calm.
13 :10 Ambositra. 40 tonnes of seized pallisandre have been stolen from within the forestry commission, along with the safe. Tiko has been pillaged. The Region Chief has announced a curfew from 22 :30
12 :38 Farafangana. The situation is calm
- 12h24, Nosibe
Magro and a store have been looted. The looters set up a barricade ; the local police have brought the situation under control and dismantled the barricade. Three people were shot.
- 12h35, Manakara
The demonstrators are organised by Rakamisilahy Martial. They have taken a vehicle belonging to the region by force. Most of the demonstrators are 17 years old or younger. The region organised a meeting between OMC, FFKM and the demonstrators. The security forces currently have the situation under control.
Manakara: The demonstrators demand that the president of the tribunal release the accused.
12 :33 Toliary is calm.
Radio Mada 108 FM is broadcasting the latest information.
12 :18 The President of the Republic has declared that he will not pursue those responsible for the destruction and looting of all the Magro stores as he understands that the Malagasy people are poor and hungry.
Wednesday 28th January 2009 at 11 :45.
There is a risk of attack in the port of Toamasina from the followers of Roland Ratsiraka. The armed forces have assumed responsibilty.
Links to Related Topics (Tags):
Headlines: January, 2009; Peace Corps Madagascar; Directory of Madagascar RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Madagascar RPCVs; Safety and Security of Volunteers; Blogs - Madagascar
When this story was posted in February 2009, this was on the front page of PCOL:
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 | Director Ron Tschetter: The PCOL Interview
Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter sat down for an in-depth interview to discuss the evacuation from Bolivia, political appointees at Peace Corps headquarters, the five year rule, the Peace Corps Foundation, the internet and the Peace Corps, how the transition is going, and what the prospects are for doubling the size of the Peace Corps by 2011. Read the interview and you are sure to learn something new about the Peace Corps. PCOL previously did an interview with Director Gaddi Vasquez. |
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