SITREP NO. 32: GUINEA UNREST, FEB. 11, 1430 GMT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000165

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR AF/W, AF/EX, DS/IP/AF, CA/OCS
PLEASE PASS ALSO TO PEACE CORPS
PLEASE PASS ALSO TO AID/AFR
TREASURY FOR OFFICE OF AFRICAN NATIONS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/11/2017
TAGS: PGOV PINS ASEC AEMR CASC GV
SUBJECT: SITREP NO. 32: GUINEA UNREST, FEB. 11, 1430 GMT

REF: CONAKRY 164 AND PREVIOUS

Classified By: Ambassador Jackson McDonald. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

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SITUATION ON THE GROUND
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1. (SBU) The situation in Guinea remains tense today, Feb.
11, with sporadic episodes of violent unrest in parts of
Conakry and upcountry. The level of unrest is substantially
lower today than yesterday. However, everyone expects an
upsurge in violence tomorrow, Feb. 12, when the general
strike officially resumes.


2. (C) We have received an unconfirmed/unconfirmed report
from a source at the Presidency that Prime Minister Eugene
Camara has submitted to President Lansana Conte a draft
decree declaring a state of emergency.


3. (SBU) Throughout today, Feb. 11, protesters have blocked
Route du Prince, the main axis down the middle of the
peninsula upon which the city of Conakry is situated.
Barricades consisting of burning tires, rocks, garbage, and
other debris impede all traffic from Hamdallaye to Bambeto to
Cosa. Barricades are also blocking Taouyah Road and other
streets, including access roads to the airport. Security
forces have responded to these incidents, temporarily
dispersing crowds that quickly reformed.


4. (U) The airport remains open, but few flights are
operating. Air France has canceled its Paris-Conakry-Paris
flight today.


5. (C) According to French Ambassador Jean-Michel Berrit
(strictly protect),Air France canceled the flight because it
had received threats from people opposed to the planned
departure of presidential family members on the flight.


6. (C) Many embassy contacts have expressed concern about
increased lawlessness and vigilantism. In N'Zerekore,
capital of the remote Forest Region, one organizer of a DHRF
program states there is currently no evidence of the rule of
law in town, as the gendarmes, police and local authorities
are not present. Union leader Rabiatou Diallo told PolOff
she shares those concerns. She stated the labor unions have
made no concrete call to action tomorrow because their
leaders are all confined to their homes, unable to meet due
to the security situation. "We have no idea what will happen,
it is uncontrollable," she said, "We offered proposals to the
government to help calm the people and they didn't listen to
us."


7. (SBU) The sense of lawlessness is shared by an
unfortunate Amcit, currently seeking refuge in Kankan. The
Amcit, a former Peace Corps volunteer who speaks the local
languages, was bicycling through the region, hoping to reach
a safe village before the strike resumed -- disregarding the
current Travel Warning. She found shelter with the World
Food Program coordinator, and nearly had to flee when crowds
looted the WFP warehouse, office, and threatened the
residence were they were hiding. At last contact with the
consular section, she was frightened but unharmed, and
security forces have intervened.


8. (SBU) Embassy Americans and local employees have reported
other acts of violence involving security forces, including
an unconfirmed case in Conakry of a security officer set upon
by crowds after opening fire. It is unclear how many people
have been killed in the last 24 hours.

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SECURITY
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9. (C) French Ambassador Jean-Michel Berritt told the
Ambassador today that his embassy's crisis-management team
continues to monitor events closely. He said that he would
wait to see how events unfold tomorrow before deciding on
"appropriate measures." He gave the impression that, if the
situation deteriorates substantially tomorrow, he would
commence some form of drawdown or evacuation. (Note: The
French Ambassador is always careful avoid the word
"evacuation," even with us, because news of a French
"evacuation" would spread quickly and contribute to anxious

CONAKRY 00000165 002 OF 002


speculation about future events.)


10. (SBU) The U.S. Mission remains under Authorized
Departure for eligible family members. We understand that
the U.N. agencies in Guinea are considering moving to a
similar status.


11. (U) Post remains at full standfast. All USG personnel
and private American citizens have been advised to remain at
home, except for the handful of personnel at the embassy.
Amcits have received the same message through the latest
warden message, issued February 10. The consular section has
received several inquiries from wardens and other citizens
regarding next steps if the situation worsens.


12. (C) We are monitoring events very closely. Post
management is in frequent contact with core EAC members, some
of whom are at standfast at home. We are reviewing our
security posture on an ongoing basis.


13. (C) Based on the facts on the ground, and with the
concurrence of the core EAC, the Ambassador is requesting
(septel) the deployment of an ESAT. In our judgment, the
situation will almost certainly deteriorate further and there
is no near-term resolution in sight, short of President
Conte's resignation or ouster. Deployment of an ESAT at the
juncture appears prudent and justified.


14. (C) We are also considering -- depending upon how events
unfold tomorrow -- a change in status from Authorized
Departure for EFMs to Ordered Departure for EFMs and perhaps
some staff. We are not/not requesting a change in status as
of now.

MCDONALD