GUINEA STRIKE: DAY ONE IS PEACEFUL, PUBLIC SUPPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000757

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

TREASURY FOR OFFICE OF AFRICAN NATIONS

E.O. 12598: N/A
TAGS: ELAB ECON PGOV SOCI ASEC CASC GV
SUBJECT: GUINEA STRIKE: DAY ONE IS PEACEFUL, PUBLIC SUPPORT
APPEARS TENTATIVE

REF: CONAKRY 747


1. (U) Summary. Guineans are mostly following the strike
called for June 8 by the USTG-CNTG union coalition. Most
offices, larger stores, businesses and government offices
are either closed or barely staffed. As the day continued,
some taxi drivers got on the road, and most gas stations
opened, along with a few small shops. There are no reports
of violence.


2. (U) The government responded to union demands with a
communique read by new Minister of Territorial
Administration Moussa Solano that was broadcast repeatedly.
No talks are currently planned between the striking unions
and the government, and unions have not responded publicly
to the communique. The Embassy EAC will convene Friday to
discuss events as we head into the weekend. End summary.

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STRIKE BEGINS: PUBLIC SUPPORT STRONG, BUT NOT UNIVERSAL
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3. (U) Public support for the first day of the strike
appears strong, but not universal. In Conakry, certain
areas were more active than others, but most businesses
remained closed. Government ministries are staffed only at
the most senior levels. The open air markets are mainly
closed. However, some taxi drivers are on the road, filling
their tanks and picking up passengers without protest from
strike sympathizers. Fuel delivery trucks are in service,
and major operations such as CBG (Compagnie des Bauxites de
Guinee) are operating normally. There is some low-level
informal economic activity in Conakry, with market women on
the streets and small boutiques open.


4. (U) To date, there have been no public demonstrations or
acts of violence reported. The strike has begun more
peacefully than the five-day strike earlier this year, which
was marked by tire burning and rock throwing. There is no
large police or gendarme presence on the streets, and people
who are out are moving freely. The Embassy EAC will meet
Friday to assess the security situation heading into the
weekend.

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NEW GOVERNMENT FINALLY RESPONDS TO THE UNIONS
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5. (U) The government has finally responded to the unions'
demands. In a communique repeatedly broadcast on national
radio, new Minister of Territorial Administration and
Decentralization Moussa Solano issued a statement designed
to both address the unions concerns and to diminish public
support of their effort. Solano is also the official
spokesperson for the government, and this was his first
official action in that capacity.


6. (U) In the statement, the government lists the various
steps it is planning to take to raise salaries and pay money
owed to retirees. The communique did not address rice or
fuel prices, two economic issues driving the strike. The
statement acknowledged workers' right to strike, but also
recognized the right of workers to work, and highlighted the
government's responsibility to ensure the safety of those
who choose to do so.


7. (SBU) While measured, the statement has done nothing to
foster a dialogue with the unions, which met today to
consider the government's declaration. The unions have not
yet provided any official reaction. No formal meetings
between the government and the unions are taking place, and
none are planned. Many senior union leaders are in Geneva,
attending an international labor conference, including those
who left Conakry after signing the strike notice on June 6.

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COMMENT
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8. (SBU) The strike does not appear to have started with
the same unanimous support as the five-day strike that ended
in March. However, it has been effective and peaceful.
There is no guarantee it will follow the same arc as the
prior strike, which started strong and began to fizzle as
the week wore on. With political parties meeting Friday,
June 9, to consider their next steps, it is possible they

CONAKRY 00000757 002 OF 002


may publicly step in and add a new dimension to the strike
this weekend. This strike effort could weaken, if a public
figure or figures do not step up to stoke the anger of the
populace against the government. On the other hand, the
union efforts may gain momentum during the weekend if people
do not see any concrete government response. In this
scenario, next week may bring a new set of challenges.
McDONALD