Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06CONAKRY775
2006-06-09 13:34:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:  

GUINEA STRIKE: DAY TWO REMAINS CALM, GOVERNMENT PR

Tags:  ELAB ECON PGOV SOCI ASEC CASC GV 
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VZCZCXRO3692
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHRY #0775/01 1601334
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 091334Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9262
INFO RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//POLAD/J2//
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000775 

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 TWO REMAINS CALM, GOVERNMENT PR
EFFORT NOTED, BUT NOT VERY EFFECTIVE

REFS: A)CONAKRY 757, B) CONAKRY 717, C) CONAKRY 721

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000775

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 TWO REMAINS CALM, GOVERNMENT PR
EFFORT NOTED, BUT NOT VERY EFFECTIVE

REFS: A)CONAKRY 757, B) CONAKRY 717, C) CONAKRY 721


1. (SBU) Summary. Guinean support for the general strike
remained relatively strong and peaceful on its second day.
The government seems more prepared to handle the PR aspects
of the strike, compared to the five-day strike that ended in
March. While it is neither failing nor fading, this union
effort appears to be in search of a spark. To date, there
have been no formal negotiations between the government and
the unions. EAC met to review situation (septel). End
summary.

--------------
KEY OBSERVATIONS FROM STRIKE'S SECOND DAY
--------------


2. (U) Based on contacts with sources and observation by
Mission staff, it appears support for the strike has
remained generally consistent with the strike's first day.

-- Taxis continue to operate and were noticeably joined on
June 9 by the mini-buses used by many Guineans. Few of
these vehicles appear to be full of passengers.

-- There continue to be no reports of violence associated
with the strike throughout the entire country. Police
presence on the streets of Conakry appeared lower than on
Day 1.

-- Most businesses, banks, and large shops remained closed.
At least one supermarket owner told an Embassy officer he
was prepared to open, if his workers showed up. They did
not.

-- Some informal market activity continues, with some
roadside stands open and market women selling goods.

-- Major economic actors in the mining industry remain
unaffected by the strike, although workers in gold mining
regions of Upper Guinea are reportedly considering joining
the effort.


3. (U) To date, the government and unions have not held
formal negotiations. It is possible that there are meetings
behind closed doors. The government has presented its case
through Guinea's sole broadcaster, state-run Guinean Radio
and Television. In local languages, the government is
repeating its declaration regarding the strike (ref A).
Announcers are also exhorting Guineans in their ethnic
languages to go back to work. Based on observations noted
above, these PR efforts have not yet been effective in
breaking the strike. They show an improvement over
government efforts to control perceptions of the last
strike.

--------------
KEY POINTS HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND
--------------


4. (SBU) Heading into the weekend, there are several
scenarios that bear watching.


5. (SBU) Electricity: Guineans will be watching the World
Cup matches this weekend, and generally, the government
tries to provide electricity during these times. A power
failure during the African Cup earlier this year sparked a
demonstration at a local electric utility office in Conakry
that resulted in rock-throwing and gendarmes opening fire on
the crowd. A repeat of that sort of problem could touch off
a wider demonstration. Electrical problems are possible,
even likely, given Guinea's fragile power grid and aging
infrastructure. President Lansana Conte has reportedly
donated generators to youth centers in Conakry to help
ensure that people can watch the games.


6. (SBU) Political Parties: So far they have remained
silent, and their supporters have not taken to the streets.
Meetings between the unions and political parties were
planned for today. We have not yet heard any outcomes of
these discussions. The political parties also hold
regularly scheduled meetings on Saturdays. In the coming
days, it is possible that the parties could initiate some
sort of action in support of the strike or to advance their
own agendas.


7. (SBU) Business Activity: It is possible more businesses

CONAKRY 00000775 002 OF 002


and shops will choose to open given the peaceful security
situation. If so, increased commercial activity could
further diminish support for the strike. It is also
possible that a renewed action by fuel distributors (refs B
and C) could cut off supplies to service stations, forcing
cab drivers off the road, and bringing what economic
activity that is occurring to a standstill. The
transporters set June 10 as their deadline for government
concessions. We are not aware of any formal meetings or an
agreement between the parties.


8. (SBU) Comment. The conduct of the strike so far has
shown a government better prepared to respond to the
security, public relations and other challenges posed by the
latest strike. However, the government remains unable to
address the main economic grievances of the unions and their
supporters. The unions are maintaining the strike, but they
have not succeeded in completely shutting down the country.

McDONALD