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


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SUMMARY
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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.

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THERE AND BACK AGAIN
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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.

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VIVE LE CHANGEMENT
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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.

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INCREASINGLY SCRIPTED
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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.

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COMMENT
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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