Wayzata World Factbook 1995/World Factbook - 1995 Edition - Wayzata Technology (1995).iso/mac/text/Build/orig BACKGR/BNOT0068.TXT

Text File | 1994-11-21 | 24KB | 508 lines

National Trade Data Bank
ITEM ID     : ST BNOTES MADAGASC
DATE        : Oct 28, 1994

AGENCY      : U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
PROGRAM     : BACKGROUND NOTES
TITLE       : Background Notes - MADAGASCAR

Source key      : ST
Program key     : ST BNOTES
Update sched.   : Occasionally
Data type       : TEXT
End year        : 1994
Date of record  : 19941018
Keywords 3      :
Keywords 3      : | MADAGASCAR

BACKGROUND NOTES:  MADAGASCAR
PUBLISHED BY THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

APRIL 1994
Official Name:  Republic of Madagascar


PROFILE

Geography
Area:  592,800 sq. km. (228,880 sq. mi.).

Cities:  Capital--Antananarivo (pop. about 850,000).  Other
cities--Antsirabe (about 120,000), Mahajanga (about 150,000),
Toamasina (about 130,000).

Terrain:  Mountainous central plateau, coastal plain.
Climate:  Moderate interior, tropical coasts.

People
Nationality:  Noun and adjective--Malagasy.
Population (1993 est.):  12 million.
Annual growth rate (1993 est.):  3.2%.
Ethnic groups:  18 Malagasy tribes; small groups of Comorians,
French, Indians, and Chinese.
Religions:  Traditional beliefs 55%, Christian 40%, Muslim 5%.
Languages:  Malagasy (official), French.
Education:  Years compulsory--5.  Attendance--83%.
Literacy--53%.
Health:  Infant mortality rate--120/1,000.  Life expectancy--51
yrs.
Work force (1992): 5.8 million.  Agriculture--88%.  Industry--7%.

Government

Type:  Republic.
Independence:  June 26, 1960.
Constitution: Entered into force on September 21, 1992.

Branches:  Executive--president, prime minister, cabinet.
Legislative--National Assembly and Senate.  Judicial--Supreme
Court, High Court of Justice, Constitutional High Court.
Subdivisions:  Six provinces (faritany).

Political parties:  Several dozen, including Active Forces
Cartel, Militants for the Development of Madagascar, People
United Party, National Union for Development and Democracy,
Social Democrat Party, Study and Action Group for Development in
Madagascar, Rally for Social Democracy, Liberal Economic and
Democratic Action Party, Independence and Renewal Party of
Madagascar, The Equal Regional Development Party.

Suffrage:  Universal at 18.
National holiday:  June 26.

Flag:  Vertical white band on staff side; horizontal red and
green bands.

Economy
GDP (1993 est.):  $1 billion at current prices; $2 billion at
constant prices.
Per capita GDP (1993 est.):  $135.

Natural resources:  Graphite, chrome, coal, bauxite, ilmenite,
tar sands, semiprecious stones, hard wood.

Agriculture (29% of GDP):  Products--rice, livestock, seafood,
coffee, vanilla, sugar, cloves, cotton, sisal, peanuts, tobacco.
Industry (14% of GDP):  Types--processed food, clothing,
textiles, mining, paper, refined petroleum products, glassware,
construction, soap, cement, tanning.

Trade:  Exports (1992)--$328 million:  vanilla, sugar, cloves,
shrimp, chromite, graphite.  Major export markets--France, U.S.,
Germany, Japan, Singapore, Italy.  Imports (1992)--$547 million:
consumer goods, foodstuffs, crude oil, machinery and vehicles,
iron and steel.  Major suppliers--France, Iran, Japan, Germany,
Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong..

Exchange rate (April 1994):  1,900 FMG=US$1.


PEOPLE AND HISTORY
Madagascar's population is predominantly of mixed Asian and
African origin.  Recent research suggests that the island was
uninhabited until Indonesian seafarers  arrived in roughly the
first century A.D., probably by way of southern India and East
Africa, where they acquired African wives and slaves.  Subsequent
migrations from both the Pacific and Africa further consolidated
this original mixture, and 18 separate tribal groups emerged.
Asian features are most predominant in the central highlands
people, the Merina (2 million) and the Betsileo (1 million); the
coastal people are of African origin.  The largest coastal groups
are the Betsimisaraka (1 million) and the Tsimihety and Sakalava
(500,000 each).

The Malagasy language is of Malayo-Polynesian origin and is
generally spoken   throughout the island.  French also is spoken
among the educated of this former French colony.

Most people practice traditional religions, which tend to
emphasize links between the living and the dead.  They believe
that the dead join their ancestors in the ranks of divinity and
that ancestors are intensely concerned with the fate of their
living descendants.  This spiritual communion is celebrated by
the Merina and Betsileo reburial practice of famadihana, or
"turning over the dead."  In this ritual, relatives' remains are
exhumed, rewrapped in new silk shrouds, and reburied following
festive ceremonies in their honor.

About 40% of the Malagasy are Christian, divided almost evenly
between Roman Catholic and Protestant.  Many incorporate the cult
of the dead with their religious beliefs and bless their dead at
church before proceeding with the traditional burial rites.  They
also may invite a pastor to attend a famadihana.

An historical rivalry exists between the predominantly Catholic
coastal people (cotiers), considered to be underprivileged, and
the predominantly Protestant Merina, who tend to prevail in the
civil service, business, and professions.  A new policy of
decentralizing resources and authority is intended to enhance the
development potential of all Madagascar's provinces.

The written history of Madagascar began in the seventh century
A.D., when Arabs established trading posts along the northwest
coast.  European contact began in the 1500s, when Portuguese sea
captain Diego Dias sighted the island after his ship became
separated from a fleet bound for India.  In the late 17th
century, the French established trading posts along the east
coast.  From about 1774 to 1824, it was a favorite haunt for
pirates, including Americans, one of whom brought Malagasy rice
to South Carolina.

Beginning in the 1790s, Merina rulers succeeded in establishing
hegemony over the major part of the island, including the coast.
In 1817, the Merina ruler and the British governor of Mauritius
concluded a treaty abolishing the slave trade, which had been
important in Madagascar's economy.  In return, the island
received British military and financial assistance. British
influence remained strong for several decades, during which the
Merina court was converted to Presbyterianism, Congregationalism,
and Anglicanism.

The British accepted the imposition of a French protectorate over
Madagascar in 1885 in return for eventual control over Zanzibar
(now part of Tanzania) and as part of an overall definition of
spheres of influence in the area.  Absolute French control over
Madagascar was established by military force in 1895-96, and the
Merina monarchy was abolished.

Malagasy troops fought in France, Morocco, and Syria during World
War I.  After France fell to the Germans in 1942, Madagascar was
administered first by the Vichy Government and then by the
British, whose troops occupied the strategic island to preclude
its seizure by the Japanese.  The Free French received the island
from the United Kingdom in 1943.

In 1947, with French prestige at low ebb, a nationalist uprising
was suppressed only after several months of bitter fighting.  The
French subsequently established reformed institutions in 1956
under the Loi Cadre (Overseas Reform Act), and Madagascar moved
peacefully toward independence.

The Malagasy Republic was proclaimed on October 14, 1958, as an
autonomous state within the French Community.  A period of
provisional government ended with the adoption of a constitution
in 1959 and full independence on June 26, 1960.


GOVERNMENT
In August 1992, Malagasy voters overwhelmingly approved a new,
democratic constitution to replace the socialist-oriented 1975
charter.  According to the new constitution, the principal
institutions of the Republic of Madagascar are a presidency, a
parliament (National Assembly and Senate), a prime ministry and
government, and an independent judiciary.  The president is
elected by direct universal suffrage for a five-year term,
renewable only once, and is primarily responsible for
Madagascar's defense and foreign policy.

The National Assembly consists of 138 representatives elected by
direct vote every four years.  The selection of the Senate must
await the formation of local governments, since two-thirds of the
Senate will be elected by local legislatures and one-third
appointed by the president, all for four-year terms.  Day-to-day
management of government is carried out by a prime minister and a
council of ministers.  A prime minister is elected every four
years by a new National Assembly.

In reaction to the concentration of power in the hands of the
president during the previous regime, the new constitution
contains a number of checks and balances.  The prime minister,
not the president, initiates and executes legislation.  The
government and the president, provided they act in concert, can
dissolve the National Assembly.  For its part, the National
Assembly can pass a motion of censure and require the prime
minister and council of ministers to step down.  The
Constitutional Court approves the constitutionality of new laws.

Territorial administration is to be determined by legislation.
In an effort to decentralize administration, the current
structure of six regions (faritany) are likely to be broken up
into more numerous districts, each with increased autonomy.  The
constitution only provides for the perpetuation of rural village
and clan-level entities known as fokonolona, which are accorded
the right to protect their traditional fields, pasture lands, and
sacred sites.

Principal Government Officials
President--Albert Zafy
Prime Minister, Minister of Defense--Francisque Ravony
Minister of Foreign Affairs--Jacques Sylla
Ambassador to the U.S--Pierrot Jocelyn Rajaonarivelo
Ambassador to the UN--Blaise Rabetafika

Madagascar maintains an embassy in the United States at 2374
Massachusetts Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20008
(tel. [phone]).


POLITICAL CONDITIONS
Madagascar's first President, Philibert Tsiranana, was elected
when his Social Democratic Party gained power at independence in
1960 and was reelected without opposition in March 1972.
However, he resigned only two months later in response to massive
anti-government demonstrations.  The unrest continued, and
Tsiranana's successor, General Gabriel Ramanantsoa, resigned on
February 5, 1975, handing over executive power to Lt. Col.
Richard Ratsimandrava, who was assassinated six days later.  A
provisional military directorate then ruled until a new
government was formed in June 1975, under Admiral Didier
Ratsiraka.

During the 16 subsequent years of President Ratsiraka's rule,
Madagascar continued under a government committed to
revolutionary socialism based on the 1975 constitution
establishing a highly centralized state.  National elections in
1982 and 1989 returned Ratsiraka for a second and third
seven-year presidential term.  For much of this period, only
limited and restrained political opposition was tolerated, with
no direct criticism of the president permitted in the press.

With an easing of restrictions on political expression, beginning
in the late 1980s, the Ratsiraka regime came under increasing
pressure for fundamental change.  In response to a deteriorating
economy, Ratsiraka had begun relaxing socialist dogma to
institute some liberal, private-sector reforms.  But these and
other political reforms--like the elimination of press censorship
in 1989 and the formation of more political parties in 1990--were
insufficient to placate a growing opposition force known as Hery
Velona or "active forces," centered in the capital city and the
surrounding high plateau.

In response to largely peaceful mass demonstrations and crippling
general strikes, Ratsiraka replaced his prime minister in August
1991 but suffered an irreparable setback soon thereafter when his
troops fired on peaceful demonstrators marching on his suburban
palace, killing more than 30.

In an increasingly weakened position, Ratsiraka acceded to
negotiations on the formation of a transitional government.  The
resulting "Panorama Convention" of October 31, 1991, stripped
Ratsiraka of nearly all of his powers, created interim
institutions, and set an 18-month timetable for completing a
transition to a new form of constitutional government.  The High
Constitutional Court was retained as the ultimate judicial
arbiter of the process.

In March 1992, a new constitution was drafted by a widely
representative National Forum organized by the Malagasy Christian
Council of Churches.  Troops guarding the proceedings killed
several pro-Ratsiraka "federalists" who tried to disrupt the
forum in protest of draft constitutional provisions preventing
the incumbent president from running again.  The text of the new
constitution was put to a nationwide referendum in August 1992
and approved by a wide margin, despite efforts by federalists to
disrupt balloting in several coastal areas.

Presidential elections were held on November 25, 1992, after the
High Constitutional Court had ruled, over active forces
objections, that Ratsiraka could become a candidate.  A runoff
election was held in February 1993, and active forces leader
Albert Zafy defeated Ratsiraka.  He was sworn in as President on
March 27, 1993.

A nationwide legislative election was held in June 1993 to elect
a new National Assembly, which, under the new constitution,
exercises legislative initiative along with the prime minister,
whom it elects.  On the legislative agenda of the new National
Assembly is the redefinition of Madagascar's territorial
divisions and the increased devolution of administrative decision
making to them.

The proportional representation system for the election of
legislators contributed to a significant increase in the number
of political parties and special-interest groups.  These and a
free press promote open and lively discussion of political issues
in Madagascar.


ECONOMY
Agriculture dominates the Malagasy economy, accounting for about
43% of GDP and 80% of exports.  Recent estimates are that 88% of
the work force is engaged in the agricultural sector.  An
estimated 65% of the population lives at subsistence level.

Historically, Madagascar's principal export crops have been
coffee, vanilla, and cloves.  Coffee, which as recently as 1989,
was Madagascar's largest earner of foreign exchange, is now a
distant second, as both prices and exports have dropped sharply.

Total coffee production has not increased appreciably since the
late 1980s.  Vanilla exports are the largest source of export
earnings, but in recent years this industry has come under
intense pressure from foreign competition as well as by
increasing use of artificial flavorings.

Clove exports have been highly cyclical in the past; however,
prices have changed little in the last six years.  Despite price
stability, in 1992, exports fell nearly 35% in volume from the
previous year.

Price stabilization funds for coffee and cloves were abolished in
the late 1980s, but the export price of vanilla remains subject
to government control.  The recent sharp decline in export
receipts from these three cash crops has contributed to a severe
shortage of foreign exchange in Madagascar, limiting the import
of industrial inputs, capital equipment, and spare parts
essential to national economic recovery plans.

The principal food crop in Madagascar is rice.  In recent years,
one of the main policy objectives in the agriculture sector has
been to expand rice production to meet food self-sufficiency
targets.  During the 1980s, controls on the transport,
production, and sale of rice were removed.  Although rice imports
have not been eliminated, they have declined appreciably from
levels reached during the early 1980s.

Other industries showing promise for foreign exchange and
employment are tourism, clothing manufacture, fishing, commercial
agriculture, and mining.  Because of its unique and diverse flora
and fauna, Madagascar has the potential of becoming a center of
world eco-tourism.  The future development of this activity will
depend, however, on extensive improvements in the transportation
and communication infrastructure in Madagascar.  It will also
depend on efforts to control deforestation by the population of
as much as 80% of existing forests.

Manufacturing accounts for about 14% of the nation's gross
domestic product.  Low labor costs have encouraged clothing
manufacturers to move some operations from Mauritius to
Madagascar.  A program of duty-free-zones has also attracted some
clothing manufacturers.  The clothing sector promises to become
increasingly important relative to the previous industrial
sectors--food processing (currently 50% of industrial activity)
and textiles (about 25%).  The duty-free program provides for tax
benefits and duty-free import of manufacturing inputs for
export-oriented industries.  By early 1993, about 70 companies
established under the provisions of this law were employing  more
than 17,000 workers.

Madagascar's coastal waters, rich in fish and shrimp, have also
become an important source of foreign exchange.  In 1991, shrimp
export receipts overtook those from export of both coffee and
cloves for the first time.  In the mineral sector, Madagascar has
substantial deposits of mica, graphite, and chromite, but exports
of these minerals remain comparatively small (less than 10%).  It
is also a leading producer of semiprecious stones.  Large
ilmenite deposits in the south may become important sources of
titanium dioxide, used for paint pigment.  Petroleum exploration
continues in Madagascar, but commercially significant quantities
of oil have not yet been found.

In the foreign trade sector, Madagascar consistently has run a
large trade deficit since the mid-1980s.  Severely depressed
coffee export receipts and the failure to diversify into new
export products have exacerbated the trade imbalance.  Energy
imports (one-sixth of total imports) are a major drain on foreign
exchange resources.  Until 1988, the former Soviet Union was
Madagascar's principal supplier of crude oil.  Supplies are now
obtained from Middle Eastern sources and Iran.  France remains
Madagascar's principal trading partner.  The U.S. is an important
vanilla market, and Indonesia has been the largest customer for
cloves, although its imports recently have decreased as
Indonesia's domestic production has increased.


FOREIGN RELATIONS
Madagascar historically has remained outside the mainstream of
African affairs, although it is an active member of the
Organization of African Unity and the Non-Aligned Movement.

In contrast to former President Ratsiraka's "all points" policy
stressing ties with socialist and radical regimes, including
North Korea, Cuba, Libya, and Iran, President Albert Zafy has
expressed his desire for diplomatic relations with all countries.
Early in his tenure, he established formal ties with South Korea
and sent emissaries to Morocco.  Active relationships have been
maintained with Europe, especially France, Germany, and
Switzerland, as well as with Russia, Japan, India, and China.


U.S.-MALAGASY RELATIONS
Relations with the United States date to the early 1800s.  The
two countries concluded a commercial convention in 1867 and a
treaty of peace, friendship, and commerce in 1881.

These traditionally warm relations suffered considerably during
the 1970s, when Madagascar expelled the U.S. ambassador, closed a
NASA tracking station, and nationalized two U.S. oil companies.
In 1980, relations at the ambassadorial level were restored.
Throughout the troubled period, commercial and cultural relations
remained active.

In 1990, Madagascar was designated as a priority aid recipient,
and assistance increased from $15 million in 1989 to $40 million
in 1993.  Recent U.S. assistance has contributed to a population
census and family planning programs, conservation of Madagascar's
remarkable biodiversity, private sector development, agriculture,
democracy and governance initiatives, and media training.

U.S. Embassy Officials
Ambassador--Dennis P. Barrett
Deputy Chief of Mission--Peter R. Reams
USAID Director--George Carner
Defense Attache--Lt. Cdr. John Logan
Public Affairs Officer--Lawrence Wohlers
Consular Officer--Robert Kragie
Political Officer--Christopher Davis
Economic Officer--James Freund
Administrative Officer--Garace Reynard
Peace Corps Director--Robert Friedman

The U.S. embassy in Madagascar is at 14 Rue Rainitovo,
Antsahavola, Antananarivo (tel. 212-57, 209-56; telex 222-02).
The postal address is Ambassade Americaine, B.P. 620,
Antananarivo, Madagascar.


TRAVEL NOTES
Customs:  A valid passport and entry visa are required.  Tourists
and official travelers should obtain visas before arrival;
airport visas can be obtained for official travelers, but
problems have been encountered.  Travelers should be scrupulous
in reporting currency; undeclared currency may be confiscated.
Also required is a certificate of immunization against cholera
and, if coming from an infected area, yellow fever.  Health
requirements change; check latest information.  Unauthorized
export of protected plant and animal species is severely
sanctioned.

Health:  Avoid raw fruits and vegetables; eat only thoroughly
cooked meats.  Dairy products generally are not pasteurized and
should be avoided.  Tapwater is not potable--drink bottled
beverages without ice.  Do not swim in fresh or salt waters
without competent local advice; fresh water is at risk for
bilharzia, and coastal waters have sharks.  Antimalaria
medication is advisable in the capital and indispensable in the
coastal areas.  The climate in the highland interior tends to
provoke colds and bronchitis.

Telecommunications:  Long-distance telephone and telegraph
service is available but expensive and frequently unreliable.
Antananarivo is eight time zones ahead of eastern standard time.

Transportation:  International flights are often fully booked;
travel arrangements should be confirmed well in advance.
Domestic air connections are good.  Some parts of the country can
be covered by train, bus, rural taxi, or hired car, but the road
network has deteriorated considerably, and many areas are
inaccessible except by four-wheel-drive vehicles.


Published by the United States Department of State -- Bureau of
Public Affairs -- Office of  Public Communication -- Washington,
DC  April 1994 -- Managing Editor:  Peter A. Knecht

Department of State Publication 8015 -- Background Notes Series
Contents of this publication are not copyrighted unless
indicated.  If not copyrighted, the material may be reproduced
without consent; citation of the publication as the source is
appreciated.  Permission to reproduce any copyrighted material
(including photos and graphics) must be obtained from the
original source.

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government
Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.