Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07CONAKRY1225
2007-11-08 14:52:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:  

CONTE SIGNS LAW CREATING CENI

Tags:  PREL KDEM ASEC GV 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO1766
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHRY #1225 3121452
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 081452Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1848
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS CONAKRY 001225 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12598: N/A
TAGS: PREL PREL KDEM ASEC GV
SUBJECT: CONTE SIGNS LAW CREATING CENI

UNCLAS CONAKRY 001225

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12598: N/A
TAGS: PREL PREL KDEM ASEC GV
SUBJECT: CONTE SIGNS LAW CREATING CENI


1. (SBU) On November 8, President Conte signed the law that the
National Assembly passed in May 2007 to create a new National
Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) to administer the country's
elections. Under Guinean law, once legislation is passed, the
President should sign it or reject it within ten days. However, if
the President does not react within that time period, the
legislation automatically becomes law. In practice, Guineans have
traditionally been reluctant to enforce laws that the President has
not signed, regardless of whether the ten-day period has passed or
not.


2. (SBU) While Conte signed the law establishing the CENI, he has
not yet signed the decree designating the twenty-five CENI members.
However, Elhadj Amadou Bailo Diallo, Secretary General at the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is optimistic. He told Embassy staff
that the President's signature on the law itself indicates that he
will likely sign the CENI decree soon.


3. (SBU) COMMENT. While not legally necessary, Conte's signature
of the law demonstrates some willingness to move forward on
elections and will lend credibility to the CENI when it is finally
established. END COMMENT.

CARTER