GUINEAN MILITARY SEES BROAD SECURITY MANDATE;

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 04 CONAKRY 000101

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (DECLASSIFICATION DATE AND REASON)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/30/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV MASS KDEM GV
SUBJECT: GUINEAN MILITARY SEES BROAD SECURITY MANDATE;
AMBIGUOUS SIGNALS ON INTERVENTION DURING
PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION


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Classified By:DCM Julie Winn for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

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Summary
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1. (S) On January 24, Deputy Assistant Secretary for
Defense (DASD) Theresa Whelan met with Prime Minister
Cellou Dalein Diallo and then with senior military officers
to discuss regional stability and bilateral military
cooperation.


2. (S) DASD Whelan delivered a strong message to Guinean
military leaders that U.S. assistance would be compromised
if the military intervened in an extra-constitutional
manner in the presidential transition. Guinea's highest-
ranking military officers responded that their mandate is
to ensure Guinea's territorial integrity and guarantee the
safety and survival of the Guinean people -- a broad view
that would permit significant flexibility of action. They
underscored, however, that the Guinean armed forces are and
will remain loyal to the republic.


3. (C) The delegations also reviewed areas for potential
U.S. military cooperation. End Summary.

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Prime Minister Focuses on Costs of Regional Instability
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4. (C) Prime Minister Diallo expressed gratitude for the
long and productive military relationship between Guinea
and the U.S, citing U.S. political, diplomatic and military
support to ward off the incursion by Charles Taylor's
forces in 2000-2001. The Prime Minister recalled that
President Conte has dispatched him to Washington to seek
the USG's support just after Charles Taylor and the RUF
invaded Guinea. DASD Whelan noted that the program to
create and train Guinea's Ranger battalion was successful
because both parties had brought something to the table.


5. (C) The Prime Minister focused on the need for
collaboration to secure peace in the sub-region. He
perceived the region as a whole, where actions in one
country directly affected the others. He said the
successes we enjoy now in Sierra Leone and Liberia
reinforce the values of freedom and democracy, which in
turn support peace in the region. Guinea remains open to
engagement and wants to strengthen these values, he said.
DASD Whelan recognized the important role that Guinea plays
in the region and noted that the U.S. is taking a regional
approach by focusing on the development of the ECOWAS
stand-by force.


6. (C) The Prime Minister underscored the economic costs
of regional instability -- Guinea's previous World Bank and
IMF programs fell off track because of the high national
defense expenditures it was forced to make to repel Charles
Taylor's aggression. This had a disastrous effect on
Guinea's fiscal and monetary indicators, triggering the
economic and social crisis that continues today. Since
Guinea had fallen off track with the IMF, budgetary support
was suspended and, even worse, Guinea had not qualified for
HIPC debt cancellation.


7. (C) The Prime Minister asked for DASD Whelan's views on
Cote d'Ivoire. She expressed concern with the stalemate
that continues to cause an economic, political, and social
drain on the region. The Prime Minister noted the
unwillingness of Ivoirian President Laurent Gbagbo to
compromise. The only way to relieve the stalemate would be
to force Gbagbo to "play the game" or to remove him from
the equation, he said.

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Guinea Brings out the Big Guns to Request U.S. Assistance
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8. (C) Twenty of Guinea's highest-ranking military
officers, average age approximately 65, flanked by about 15
somewhat younger junior officers, received DASD Whelan, her
team, and the Ambassador at the Ministry of Defense. MOD
Director of Cabinet (and de facto Defense Minister) Colonel
Kandet Toure echoed the Prime Minister's gratitude for U.S.
military engagement, the training of officers under IMET,
and the assistance to Guinea in the defense of its borders.
Colonel Toure averred that Guinea's army is neither
aggressive nor out for domination, but that it must be

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Classified By: DCM Julie Winn for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

ready for any situation.


9. (C) To this end, the Army Inspector General, Colonel
Ibrahima Diallo, outlined a wish list covering six areas of
critical need where U.S. assistance would be most helpful.

-- The military's first priority is preparing for its
contribution of a 750-strong infantry battalion to the
ECOWAS stand-by brigade. The Guinean military requested
U.S. assistance to prepare its battalion in the areas of
health (laboratories and ambulances),communications (HF,
VHF, and walkie-talkies),subsistence (clothing, bedding,
furniture, and allowances),civil engineering (training and
equipping a transportation unit; cranes, and small tools).

Five additional areas for potential mil-to-mil cooperation
included:

-- renovation of airfields in border areas to prepare for
troop deployment; air security equipment;

-- infrared, night-vision, and GPS equipment to improve the
Guinean military's capacity to control its borders with
Cote d'Ivoire and Liberia;

-- maintenance and repair of Guinea's naval assets, e.g.,
barges, patrol boats;

-- communications equipment, both fixed and mobile
stations;

-- training of trainers for the Ranger battalion.

Col. Diallo added that civil-military relations are also
critical to their mission.


10. (C) DASD Whelan noted that the U.S. had already
provided equipment and medical training to the Ranger
battalion. While the U.S. has made an investment in the
Rangers, additional training for them is not readily
available at this time. However, she added, there are
potentially several areas where the U.S. can assist. For
example, due to the U.S. commitment to the African Union
and the ECOWAS stand-by force, we will seek ways to help
make Guinea's contribution effective.


11. (C) DASD Whelan recalled our commitment to repair the
dry dock we supplied in 1991. She thought that we might be
able to contribute to the maintenance of U.S.-provided
patrol boats. She said, with DOD's focus on maritime
security and control of territorial waters, we welcome
Guinea's efforts to build a capable navy. Whelan praised
the military's effective use of the IMET program, reflected
in Guinea's rank as the fifth-largest recipient of IMET
funds in sub-Saharan Africa. She said we would explore
ways to expand IMET. Whelan and the Guineans agreed that
they look forward to increasing the cooperative mil-to-mil
partnership.

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Leaders Warned of Consequences of Military Interference
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12. (S) Following the large session, the U.S. side
requested a more restricted meeting. In attendance were
four of Guinea's top military officers: General Kerfalla
Camara, Chief of Defense Staff; General Alhousseiny Fofana,
Advisor to the Ministry of Defense; Colonel Kandet Toure,
de facto Minister of Defense; and General Kaba 43 Camara,
Chief of the Army. The U.S. side consisted of DASD Whalen,
the Ambassador, Colonel Victor Nelson, and Pol/Econ Chief
Jessica Davis Ba (notetaker).


13. (S) DASD Whelan noted that when we discuss future
engagement, it is critical also to address potential
impediments to collaboration. She expressed optimism about
the future of the region, including Sierra Leone and
Liberia. Even with the continued problems in Liberia, the
U.S. believes in and is committed to lasting stability in
the Mano River region. Continued U.S.-Guinea military
cooperation is critical to this progress, she said.


14. (S) Alluding to the presidential transition, DASD
Whelan stated that at some point in the future, Guinea will
face a significant change in its political landscape.
(Comment: It was clear to all parties that DASD Whelan was

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referring to the eventual death of President Conte.) At
that point, the Guinean military would have important
decisions to make. All Guineans, Guinea's neighbors, as
well as the United States and the world, would closely
watch these decisions.


15. (S) DASD Whelan emphasized that she had been
personally involved in all decisions regarding U.S.
military assistance to Guinea since the late 1980s
(Comment: Generally suspicious and rebuffing "outside"
interference, the officers responded favorably to Whelan's
personal involvement and experience with Guinea.) DASD
Whelan said that, as a friend to the Guinean military, she
wanted to be sure all parties were aware that any military
actions with regard to the presidential succession outside
the framework of the constitution would trigger negative
consequences from the United States. We would be compelled
to suspend U.S.-Guinea cooperation in almost all sectors,
including military cooperation. DASD concluded, "You will
make your decisions, but I must explain clearly that
certain decisions will compromise our cooperation."

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View from Top Brass: Mandate is Defense of the People
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16. (S) The military leaders took detailed notes with no
perceptible reaction when DASD Whelan broached this once
taboo topic. They clearly understood the Ambassador's
verbatim translation of Whelan's remarks and the warning
against military intervention. General Kerfalla Camara
then removed his glasses, sat back in his chair and made
his first comments of the afternoon: "The Guinean army is
and will remain republican," i.e., the Army is an
institution of the Republic of Guinea, governed by its
laws.


17. (S) General Kerfalla continued, "Since its creation in
1958, the army has not been one of conquest or repression,
but one that acts in the exclusive service of its people.
Our mandate is to guarantee the safety and survival of
Guinea's citizens. This army was called upon to
reestablish peace in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea
Bissau, and since 1960 we have ensured stability in the
region. The president (Conte) is a real soldier. He has
instructed us not to overstep one inch of our border unless
invited by that neighboring country." Kerfalla repeated,
"Since its creation, the mission of Guinea's military is to
defend the security of our people and its borders. In
training our soldiers to fight, it is only for the benefit
and protection of our people. The mandate of the armed
forces is to defend its people. We have no other
ambition."


18. (S) Colonel Kandet Toure said he appreciated the
sincerity and openness of DASD Whelan's message and that he
could not improve upon General Kerfalla's response. "We
can assure you, those who are here before you are officers
who have taken an oath to the people of Guinea. General
Kerfalla's statement represents the position of each member
of our party. We will be more vigilant now so that we can
handle any situation which may arise." Colonel Toure
invited closer and more permanent communication, suggesting
that the U.S. might see dangers that Guinean military
leadership itself is not aware of. We are at your
disposal, he said. Colonel Toure also alluded at one point
to his imperfect knowledge of what was happening "among the
lieutenants."

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Colonel Toure Clarifies His View of the Army's Role
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19. (S) While onboard the C-12 with DASD Whelan from
Conakry to Kankan, the Ambassador spoke with Colonel Kandet
Toure (a) to ensure that DASD Whelan's message the previous
day had fully registered and (b) to probe further about
what the Guinean military leadership meant by the phrase
"we are and will remain a republican army."


20. (S) Colonel Toure said that Guinea needed peace as a
prerequisite for its social and economic development.
Toure said he also "needed peace" because he did not, as a
senior military official, want to find himself facing
conflict in his own country. The examples of neighboring
Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Cote d'Ivoire had convinced

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Classified By: DCM Julie Winn for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

everyone of the disastrous consequences of civil conflict.


21. (S) Referring to DASD Whelan's message the previous
day, the Ambassador said that the U.S. was not singling
Guinea out and that the U.S. policy against coups and
extra-constitutional transitions applies broadly, as
evidenced by our position on Mauritania. Colonel Toure
said he understood.


22. (S) The Ambassador said that the term "republican army" (armee
republicaine) used by General Kerfalla the previous
day was difficult to translate precisely into English. He
asked Colonel Toure what, in his view, the term implied.
Toure responded that a "republican army" is one that
remains loyal to the people, respectful of the laws of the
land, and defends the country's territorial integrity. The
Ambassador asked specifically whether the laws of the land,
in Colonel Toure's view, included the constitution. Toure
responded, "Of course."

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Government Leaders Also Focused on Maintaining Stability
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23. (U) At a reception hosted by the Ambassador, DASD
Whelan and her team had the opportunity to engage with
civilian leaders, including President of the National
Assembly (and constitutional successor to the President of
the Republic) Aboubacar Sompare and Minister of Territorial
Administration Kiridi Bangoura. The most senior military
leaders attended the reception as well.


24. (SBU) DASD Whelan and Sompare discussed developments
in the region and the possibilities for increased trade
with Liberia now that it has turned over a new leaf.
Sompare noted that the economic development of Guinea was
directly linked with that of its neighbors. Cote d'Ivoire
remains the dark spot on the horizon. Sompare emphasized
the heavy toll of Ivoirian refugees and the risk of
compromise and instability in the border region.


25. (SBU) Kiridi Bangoura spoke about the December local
elections and his recent travel to all of Guinea's regions
to consolidate lessons learned. The most important
challenge, he said, was educating the winners and losers on
their role in a democratic system and the role all actors
must play in the success of newly elected municipal and
local governments.

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COMMENT
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26. (S) As highlighted by President Lansana Conte's
granting a rare meeting the next day (septel),the Guineans
viewed DASD WhelanQs visit as an important chance to engage
with the U.S. on bilateral military cooperation. Moreover,
there is increasingly open discussion and sub rosa
maneuvering in Guinea regarding the once taboo subject of
the inevitable presidential transition. The challenge is
to ensure that such planning -- whether by the military or
civilian political leaders -- remains constitutional and
constructive. The Guinean military heard DASD Whelan's
message. The Guinean military's view of their mandate is
very broad, however, and may be broad enough to justify in
their eyes a range of actions when Conte dies or even
before. Colonel Toure's remarks about the army's respect
for the laws of the land, including the constitution, were
somewhat reassuring, but he may not have the last word.


27. (U) This cable was cleared by DASD Whelan.

McDONALD