France Calls for Responsibility in Madagascar

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, April 10, 2002

France Calls for Responsibility in Madagascar

France on Tuesday called on Madagascar authorities to show spirit of responsibility following a shooting incident in the capital of Antananarivo that killed oneactivist.

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France on Tuesday called on Madagascar authorities to show spirit of responsibility following a shooting incident in the capital of Antananarivo that killed oneactivist.

On Tuesday morning, a group of supporters backing self-declaredpresident Marc Ravalomanana marched to the home of Gerard Andrialemirovason, director of the office of incumbent President Didier Ratsiraka.

Troops loyal to Ratsiraka fired at the crowd, killing one and injuring about 10, according to Agence France-Presse.

"France reaffirms its attachment to the civil peace and exhortsthe Madagascar authorities to show responsibility," said Laurence Auer, spokeswoman of the French Foreign Ministry.

France has decided to provide an exceptional financial aid to help deliver essential commodities and medicine into the Indian island nation, said the spokeswoman.

France is deeply concerned with the serious economic, social and humanitarian consequences of the escalating crisis in Madagascar, she added.

On Sunday and Monday, houses belonging to several Ratsiraka officials were looted and set on fire in the capital, which is controlled by Ravalomanana.

Supporters of Ratsiraka based in their alternative capital of Tamatave have imposed an economic blockade on Antananarivo and destroyed main roads connecting the capital.

Ravalamanana said he won December's presidential election outright while Ratsiraka insisted that a second round be held to decide who should be the next president.

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