Reservists protest unpaid compensation

Madagascar's ministry of defence on Thursday said the government would speed up payments to army reservists who supported President Marc Ravalomanana during the 2002 political crisis. About 1,800 reservists marched through the capital, Antananarivo, on Wednesday to demand better compensation for their efforts. In a petition handed to the minister of defence, the reservists claimed that "to date, they were not given the money they were promised, as well as the various rights they were entitled to, such as medication and other indemnities". In February Ravalomanana offered the reservists US $175, but the protestors were asking for up to US $2,000 to cover their expenses, including a risk premium, family and rent allowances. Paul Andre, a defence ministry media officer, told IRIN: "There has been a delay in the payments, but President Ravalomanana has assured the reservists that the government will make sure that they are all paid soon. We will continue to talk to the them to make sure this problem is resolved." About 2,600 former members of the army and police were called on to support Ravalomanana during the tussle for control of the Indian Ocean island, sparked by disputed elections held in December 2001. Army reservists assured the authorities that the protest was not aimed at destabilising the country. "We are not trying to revolt, we simply demand for our legal rights to be paid," they reportedly told journalists after the march. Recent official statements calling on the reservists to consider their support for Ravalomanana's campaign as an act of patriotism also caused concern. Civil rights activist Madeleine Ramaholimihaso said: "It is not unfair of the government to ask the reservists to see their contribution as an act of patriotism, but these people played a very important role in securing power for Ravalomanana. It is important that they are compensated adequately for their bravery and contribution."