The NEWS (Monrovia)
27 June 2002
The United States Government has officially recognized Marc Ravalomanana as President of Madagascar. A letter from President George W Bush was presented to Mr Ravalomanana yesterday according to latest report from that disputed Island.
The United States is the first world power to formally recognize President Ravalomanana since the dispute began between he and longtime president Didier Ratsiraka. Diplomatic sources say with the latest development, the U.S. is now set to conduct normal affairs of state with the government of President Ravalomanana
Mr Ravalomanana was sworn in as president last month following a recount of votes cast in December's disputed elections but his inauguration was not internationally recognized at the time.
Madagascar's long#8209;standing leader Didier Ratsiraka has refused to accept his defeat and scores of people have been killed in the dispute.
On Wednesday, ambassadors from all the major donor countries, except former colonial power France, attended an independence day speech by Mr Ravalomanana, reports the French news agency, AFP.
Correspondents say that other western countries look set to follow the US lead.
Last weekend, the Organization of African Unity refused to recognize either man as Madagascar's leader.
But the American position is crucial as the bulk of Madagascar's cash assets are held at the US federal reserve, reports AFP.
These have been frozen during the six#8209;month dispute when it was not clear who was running the country.
"The United States now intends to conduct normal affairs of state with the government of President Ravalomanana," a US official in Antananarivo told AFP.
Mr Ratsiraka set up a rival government in his heartland of Tamatave and imposed blockades on Mr Ravalomanana's base in Antananarivo.
Blockades to the ports of Mahajanga and Toliara have now been dismantled and on Tuesday, the first major shipment of petrol arrived in the capital for several months.
Most motorists in Antananarivo have been affected by the blockades.This led to long queues of cars outside petrol stations and the return of traffic jams after months of empty streets.
Earlier this week, Mr Ravalomanana said that his forces would attack those still loyal to Mr Ratsiraka based in Tamatave and the northern town of Antsiranana.
"Within the next few days, we shall once again control the whole territory," he told the French daily La Croix on Monday.
"The reconquest is slow because we want to stick to our philosophy, which is to do so in a peaceful manner," he said.
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