NATIONAL YOUTH CONFERENCE SERVES AS POLITICAL RALLY AND

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 001287 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12598: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV SOCI GV SUBJECT: NATIONAL YOUTH CONFERENCE SERVES AS POLITICAL RALLY AND PHOTO OP FOR THE PRIME MINISTER -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) In celebration of Guinea's National Youth Day on November 17, Prime Minster Lansana Kouyate traveled to Kindia and spent the day shaking hands with youth and delivering speeches. Nine ministers, the press, and controversial millionaire and Conte-crony Mamadou Sylla accompanied him as he broke ground for a new stadium, inaugurated a cybercafe, and energized a crowd of over two thousand people in the main square. The events served as the backdrop for numerous photo opportunities and television clips. END SUMMARY. -------------- THERE AND BACK AGAIN -------------- ¶2. (SBU) On Saturday November 17, Conoff traveled to Kindia to observe Guinea's National Youth Day celebrations and attend a prime ministerial visit to the city. The Ministry of Youth organized the event with support from the International Organization on Migration, UNICEF, IFES and other organizations. Approximately 2000 participants, representing more than 53 different youth organizations, were on hand to greet the Prime Minister. Participants planned to follow up on the November 17 opening with discussions on such issues as civic education, professionalization of youth, and opportunities among youth groups for partnership and cooperation. -------------- VIVE LE CHANGEMENT -------------- ¶3. (SBU) At the ground-breaking ceremony for a new football stadium, Kouyate and an entourage of ministers, including the Minister of Youth and Culture, promised to boost employment in the region. Kouyate announced that the GoG is establishing a youth fund, valued at approximately $2.4 million, which will provide training and develop employment opportunities. The prime minister noted that President Lansana Conte contributed $476,000 to the fund while Libyan President Kaddafi added another $500,000 with the GoG and other partners providing the balance. While the fund is an important first step, PM Kouyate cautioned that is not sufficient to satisfy the country's needs. He noted that the fund will be used to finance youth-sponsored private initiatives and warned participants to manage the funds responsibly. In closing, Kouyate affirmed his government's commitment to Guinea's youth. ¶4. (SBU) Kouyate then addressed a large crowd in the main square in downtown Kindia. Though most of the events and reactions appeared to be well-rehearsed - obligatory banners evoking the greatness of President Conte, an enthusiastic military band, and parades of school children filing past a platform of dignitaries - the crowd erupted in genuine applause when Kouyate promised improvements in water and electricity. At several points during his unscripted remarks, he underscored that change had come to Guinea, and reminded the crowd that he was the leader of the consensus government. -------------- INCREASINGLY SCRIPTED -------------- ¶5. (SBU) The government delegation then moved to the Youth House, where ministers sat on stage, facing a room full of youth leaders. Kouyate again received genuine applause, as did the Minister of Communication and the Minister of Education. The Minister of Youth, who keynoted the event, received loud but obviously planned cheering. Kouyate posed for more photos, and Radio Television Guinean filmed his prepared speech. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶6. (SBU) DCM stopped in Kindia two days prior to the Prime Minister's visit and noted hundreds of school children and workers cleaning parks and sweeping streets. The Prefet told DCM that the city's most pressing concerns were potable water and lack of electricity. The governor's home and office had neither water nor electricity during DCM courtesy calls. ¶7. (SBU) The youth conference, at least on the opening day, appeared to be more of a rally than a substantive event, while Kouyate's participation seemed like an extended photo op. The Prime Minister and several other ministers seemed genuinely popular with the crowd; however, the main banner at the downtown rally read: "Vive le President, General Lansana Conte." Mamadou Sylla, self-described "richest man in Guinea" and a close business associate of Conte, participated as a member of Kouyate's official delegation. His attendance was surprising and might a closer relationship with Kouyate after possibly falling out with Conte. CONAKRY 00001287 002 OF 002 ¶8. While the event kickoff itself may have been more of a publicity stunt, positive youth reaction to the largesse by Conte and Kaddafi underscores the point that a Western, democratic idea of civil society has still not supplanted the patron-client model typical to West Africa. The assembled youth did not protest Conte's "personal" donation of what was essentially money from the Guinean treasury; instead, they were ecstatic for the "gift," giving no thought to the sustainability or true source of the funding. END COMMENT. CARTER