Ravalomanana Wins Backing From U.S.
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MADAGASCAR
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The U.S. endorsed Marc Ravalomanana as ruler of Madagascar after a bloody six-month tussle for power.
The move is a potentially decisive shift in efforts to stem the Indian Ocean island’s descent into chaos after months in which the outside world has recognized neither Ravalomanana nor his rival, veteran ruler Didier Ratsiraka.
U.S. Ambassador Wanda Nesbitt said she gave Ravalomanana a letter from President Bush confirming that Washington saw him as leader of the nation.
In May, a court declared Ravalomanana the winner of disputed December elections, ousting Ratsiraka, who has refused to step down.
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