CONFIDENTIAL
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10. Apart from its military preparedness, the coup was skilfully orchestrated for public consumption. None of the coup leaders was publicly identified. The coup leaders announced they had asked Mr Rene to form a government. Mr Rene laid down certain (extremely respectable) conditions. The coup leaders accepted them. Mr Rene agreed to become President and forthwith suspended the Constitution and took control of the administration. It was all too speedy to be entirely assimilable by even the least informed; but doubtless it was partly contrived to afford some protection for Rene and his ministers and, at a different level, for Hodoul and middle cadre leaders if at any one of the main stages the coup was aborted. The socret was well kept. Certainly at a large and late reception the evening before, none of the ministers I spoke to showed any tell-tale excitement.
11. The three men of importance at this date at Rene, Ferrari and Hodoul.. Sinon is close to, but outside this circle (but sufficiently close to be included in the discussions with Berenger who was passing through at the time). So too are the new ministers Michel and Berlouis, although they can be expected to acquire some prominence because of their field activity. The top trio are all grands blancs; They are articulate and intelligent and have engaging personalities. They are also socialist and indeed Hodoul makes no secret of his marxist label. The only identifiable moderate in the new government is Loizeau and he cannot be treated too seriously.
12. If this new government subsists, and I imagine that it will, we shall find ourselves in a completely different situation in Seychelles. Furthermore, a leftist government may become a communist government, although there is one school of thought, supported by Loizeaŭ, that the coup was designed to pre-empt the
/communists.
CONFIDENTIAL
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