preme; High Constitutional
Court or Haute Cour Constitutionnelle

Political parties and leaders: Action, Truth, Development, and Harmony or
AFFA [Professor Albert ZAFY]; Association for the Rebirth of Madagascar
or AREMA [leader vacant]; Congress Party for Malagasy Independence or
AKFM/Fanavaozana [leader NA]; Economic Liberalism and Democratic Action
for National Recovery or LEADER/Fanilo [Herizo RAZAFIMAHALEO]; Fihaonana
Rally or Fihaonana [Guy RAZANAMASY]; Group of Reflection and Action for
the Development of Madagascar or GRAD/Iloafo; Judged by Your Work or AVI
[Norbert RATSIRAHONANA]; Movement for the Progress of Madagascar or MFM
[Manandafy RAKOTONIRINA]; Renewal of the Social Democratic Party or RPSD
[Evariste MARSON]; Tranobe (Big House) [Ny Hasina ANDRIAMANJATO]

Political pressure groups and leaders: Federalist Movement; National
Council of Christian Churches or FFKM

International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, FAO,
G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Zina
ANDRIANARIVELO-RAZAFY consulate(s) general: New York FAX: [1] (202)
265-3034 telephone: [1] (202) 265-5525, 5526 chancery: 2374 Massachusetts
Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador
Wanda L. NESBITT embassy: 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo
mailing address: B. P. 620, Antsahavola, Antananarivo telephone: [261]
(20) 22-212-57 FAX: [261] (20) 22-345-39

Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green
with a vertical white band of the same width on hoist side

Economy Madagascar

Economy - overview: Madagascar faces problems of chronic malnutrition,
underfunded health and education facilities, a roughly 3% annual
population growth rate, and severe loss of forest cover, accompanied by
erosion. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is the mainstay
of the economy, accounting for one-third of GDP and contributing more
than 70% to export earnings. Industry features textile manufacturing and
the processing of agricultural products. Growth in output in 1992-97
averaged less than the growth rate of the population. Growth has been
held back by antigovernment strikes and demonstrations, a de