Sixteen opposition parties and many of Madagascar's 12 million people are convinced that President Didier Ratsiraka rigged his 1989 re-election to a third seven-year term.

When 400,000 protesters marched on the President's palace two weeks ago, his North Korean-trained guard opened fire with rifles and grenades. The Red Cross reported that 31 people died in the capital city of Antananarivo.

Last week a general strike closed the island's banks, stores and international airport. Tens of thousands of mourners turned out for the funeral of some of those killed, and the previously neutral National Council of Churches joined the campaign.