FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER DOMINIQUE DE VILLEPIN SIGNS AID AGREEMENTS WITH MADAGASCAR, 2002-07-03 (photo)

French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin (L) jointly signs four aid agreements with his Madagascan counterpart General Marcel Ranjeva in Antananarivo on July 3, 2002. By signing the accords, former colonial master France effectively recognised the government of Madagascan President Marc Ravalomanana, who has been fighting for control of the island off the coast of the southeast Africa with veteran ruler Didier Ratsiraka since disputed December elections. The former mayor of Antananarivo controls most of the island, but Ratsiraka still claims to be legal president and Ravalomanana has struggled to gain international recognition. Last week, the United States was the first major power to say it would conduct all matters of state with Ravalomanana. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings MH/AH