Thousands gather for opposition rally, leader comments

Рет қаралды 19,445

Күн бұрын

(24 Feb 2002)
1. Wide shot, zoom in to worshippers
2. Mid shot of worshippers
3. Wide shot of nuns with umbrella
4. Priest and nun praying at the podium
5. Mid shot of Ravalomanana praying at podium
6. Close up of Ravalomanana holding bible
7. Mid shot of two girl scouts singing
8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Opposition leader Marc Ravalomanana: "For more than six weeks they didn't say anything and now they say now when I declare (that I am) president they want to arrest me. No, I am not sure about it and I am not accepting it and all the people they don't accept it."
Q. Are you not scared for your own safety?
A. No I am sure I am safe. I am not scared.
9. Cutaway of Ravalomanana
10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Opposition leader Marc Ravalomanana: "I trust the Malagasy people, they're around me, but I am sure we....I have to discuss with the army first to know what happened because we cannot build the government if the army is not with us. That is true, it is clear."
11. Wide pan of exterior of French ambassy
12. Close up of French flag
13. SOUNDBITE (French) Marcelle Naika, French Protestor: "I cannot admit that France can be complicit in side stepping the choice of the Malagasy people. But what is France doing?"
14. Cutaway of protestors
15. SOUNDBITE (English) Marc Bruwier, French Protestor: "Now I am here just to say that strengh and pressure, this is enough on Malagasy people. Leave them to master their own destiny and that international pressure is too much."
15. Protesters outside ambassy
STORYLINE:
Thousands of supporters of Madagascar's opposition leader gathered at an open Mass on Sunday to offer prayers in support of opposition leader Marc Ravalomanana who has declared himself president.
Ravalomanana, who was surrounded by bodyguards wearing bulletproof vests, sang hymns along with his supporters and leaders of Madagascar's Protestant and Catholic churches, who have given him their backing.
Tensions are high in the capital Antananarivo, where Ravalomanana has enjoyed great popularity as mayor.
Massive daily protests and a general strike aimed at forcing President Didier Ratsiraka to step down have brought the country to a near standstill.
Ravalomanana took his own oath of office on Friday after a two-month standoff with the government over the results of December's presidential elections.
Ravalomanana claims he won the election outright with more than 50 percent of the vote but official results gave him less than half the vote, forcing him into a runoff with Ratsiraka, who finished second.
He has accused the count of being fraudulent and has refused to participate in the runoff, which had been scheduled for Sunday.
The government announced last week it was postponing the runoff until March 24.
After Ravalomanana held his own swearing-in ceremony, the government declared his actions illegitimate and imposed a three-month state of national emergency.
Ravalomanana acknowledged that to effectively take control of the country he would have to win the support of the military.
The army has said it will remain neutral in the standoff between Ravalomanana and the government.
Under the state of emergency, Ratsiraka can pass laws by decree, requisition the public service and assume control of the island nation's media.
Ratsiraka was Madagascar's military ruler for 17 years before coming to power in elections in 1996.
French nationals protested outside the French embassy at the pressure they believe their country is putting on Madagascar.
France, the former colonial ruler, and the United States have called for a resolution to the crisis.
Find out more about AP Archive: www.aparchive.c...
Twitter: / ap_archive
Facebook: / aparchives
Instagram: / apnews
You can license this story through AP Archive: www.aparchive.c...