FOREIGN
RELATIONS
In November
1975, Comoros became the 143rd member of the United Nations. The
new nation was defined as consisting of the entire archipelago,
despite the fact that France maintains control over Mayotte.
Comoros
also is a member of the African Union, the European Development
Fund, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Indian
Ocean Commission, and the African Development Bank.
U.S.-COMORIAN
RELATIONS
The United States recognized the Comorian Government in 1977. The two countries enjoy friendly relations. The U.S. closed its Embassy in Moroni in 1993 and is now represented by a nonresident Ambassador in neighboring Madagascar.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The military resources of the Comoros consist of a small standing army and a 500-member police force, as well as a 500-member defense force. A defense treaty with France provides naval resources for protection of territorial waters, training of Comorian military personnel, and air surveillance. France maintains a small maritime base and a Foreign Legion contingent on Mayotte.
Principal U.S. Embassy Officials (all officers resident in Antananarivo, Madagascar)
Ambassador--R. Niels Marquardt
Deputy Chief of Mission--George Sibley
Management Officer--Keith Heffern
Public Affairs Officer--Rodney Ford
Political Officer--Silvana Rodriguez
Economic-Commercial Officer--Brian Neubert
Regional Security Officer--Christopher Gillis
Consular Officer--Jay Epping
The address of the U.S. Embassy in Madagascar is 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo. The mailing address is B.P. 620, Antsahavola, Antananarivo, Madagascar (tel: 261-20-22-212-57; fax: 261-20-22-345-39; E-mail: uswebmaster@wanadoo.mg).
