Bush Sends Letter to Ravalomanana

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, June 27, 2002

Bush Sends Letter to Ravalomanana

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U.S. Ambassador to Madagascar Wanda Nesbitt said she gave Ravalomanana a letter from President Bush confirming Washington saw him as president of the divided island of 16 million, Reuters reported Wednesday.

"I think other countries will take the same decision but I think it is a bit premature to say which countries will take which decisions," she told reporters.

Clutching Bush's letter, Ravalomanana said he welcomed the U.S. move, as well as a related U.S. decision to unblock Madagascan foreign assets frozen in the Federal Reserve as a precaution when the crisis erupted earlier this year.

"This is very positive for me because now we can start to work again. We will attack the economic problems," Ravalomanana said at a reception after independence day celebrations.

In Washington, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said: "The bottom line is we've begun doing business with the government of President Ravalomanana. We accept his administration as the government of Madagascar."

"We believe that accepting Mr. Ravalomanana as president will now prevent additional violence, will speed an end to Madagascar's political crisis and help the government of Madagascar get back on its feet. Working with Mr. Ravalomanana is consistent with our democratic principles, supports the rule of law and fosters regional stability," he said.

For most Madagascans, Ravalomanana is rightful leader even though the international community has not recognized him and Ratsiraka has refused to step down.

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