Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07CONAKRY173
2007-02-12 20:56:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:
SITREP 37: FEBRUARY 12, 2007, 2130
how-tonull DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC ECOWAS COLLECTIVE GOLFCO MSGBN AMCONGEN FRANKFURT GE HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//POLAD/J2/J5// R 122056Z FEB 07 FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0642 INFO ECOWAS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE GOLFCO MSGBN AMCONGEN FRANKFURT GE IMMEDIATE HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//POLAD/J2/J5// IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L CONAKRY 000173
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR M, CA/OCS, DS/CC, DS/IP/AF, AF/W, AF/EX
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2017
TAGS: PGOV ASEC CASC PREL PINR AMGT GV
SUBJECT: SITREP 37: FEBRUARY 12, 2007, 2130
REF: CONAKRY 171 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: DCM Julie Winn, Reason 1.4(b,d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L CONAKRY 000173
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR M, CA/OCS, DS/CC, DS/IP/AF, AF/W, AF/EX
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2017
TAGS: PGOV ASEC CASC PREL PINR AMGT GV
SUBJECT: SITREP 37: FEBRUARY 12, 2007, 2130
REF: CONAKRY 171 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: DCM Julie Winn, Reason 1.4(b,d)
1. (C) Guinea is under martial law. Appearing briefly on
television and radio at just after 2000 local February 12,
President Lansana Conte expressed his disappointment that
when he had met union conditions for ending the general
strike, people had in bad faith nonetheless caused disruption
and resumed the strike. The announcer then read a decree
that established a "state of siege," effective immediately
and until February 23.
2. (C) Key elements of the decree include:
-- establishment of a curfew against all traffic (vehicular
and pedestrian) running from 0600 to 1600 and 2000 to 0600
(i.e. a window of 4 hours);
-- provision that the military controls most police functions
-- curtailment of freedom of the press, military authority to
shut down print and broadcast media;
-- right of the military to do search and seizure without
notice, as well as to arrest anyone suspected of sedition or
secret meetings;
SIPDIS
control of posts and telecommunications.
3. (C) The act seems to be outside the bounds of Guinea's
constitution. Early indications are, nonetheless, that the
military is zealous already. Airport Commandant called GSO
at about 2045 to state that Army Chief of Staff General
Kerfalla Camara had confirmed to him that no/no vehicles
could circulate, including those of the U.S. Embassy, which
was planning to meet and bring passengers to a military plane
arriving morning of Tuesday, February 13. Hence, he said, he
would not be opening the airport to us. Our contract guard
service reports that military have told its roving
supervisor/patrols to get off the roads now.
4. (C) Ambassador called Foreign Minister Conde immediately
to stress Guinea's responsibilities towards diplomats under
the Vienna Conventions. He emphasized that we had an
aircraft coming in early the next morning, and that we must
be able to reach it. He also said that our guard service
must be able to circulate in order to protect U.S. personnel
and properties effectively. Conde promised to try to reach
Kerfalla.
5. (C) FM Conde subsequently called back to say he had
failed to reach Kerfalla He had spoken with Justice Minister
Rene Alseny Gomes, however, who had confirmed to him that
diplomatic vehicles and personnel were exempt from curfew.
(Note: We do not intend to leave it there; we are seeking to
speak directly to Kerfalla as soon as possible, in order to
lay down our markers and to ensure he passes the word to the
airport commandant. End Note).
6. (C) FM Conde also told Ambassador that the civilian
government remains in place. "The military has been given
authority over domestic security," he said.
7. (C) French Ambassador is also pursuing efforts to ensure
diplomats are not affected directly by this decree.
8. (C) DCM and others are at Embassy overnight. AMB was due
to relieve at dawn.
MCDONALD
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR M, CA/OCS, DS/CC, DS/IP/AF, AF/W, AF/EX
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2017
TAGS: PGOV ASEC CASC PREL PINR AMGT GV
SUBJECT: SITREP 37: FEBRUARY 12, 2007, 2130
REF: CONAKRY 171 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: DCM Julie Winn, Reason 1.4(b,d)
1. (C) Guinea is under martial law. Appearing briefly on
television and radio at just after 2000 local February 12,
President Lansana Conte expressed his disappointment that
when he had met union conditions for ending the general
strike, people had in bad faith nonetheless caused disruption
and resumed the strike. The announcer then read a decree
that established a "state of siege," effective immediately
and until February 23.
2. (C) Key elements of the decree include:
-- establishment of a curfew against all traffic (vehicular
and pedestrian) running from 0600 to 1600 and 2000 to 0600
(i.e. a window of 4 hours);
-- provision that the military controls most police functions
-- curtailment of freedom of the press, military authority to
shut down print and broadcast media;
-- right of the military to do search and seizure without
notice, as well as to arrest anyone suspected of sedition or
secret meetings;
SIPDIS
control of posts and telecommunications.
3. (C) The act seems to be outside the bounds of Guinea's
constitution. Early indications are, nonetheless, that the
military is zealous already. Airport Commandant called GSO
at about 2045 to state that Army Chief of Staff General
Kerfalla Camara had confirmed to him that no/no vehicles
could circulate, including those of the U.S. Embassy, which
was planning to meet and bring passengers to a military plane
arriving morning of Tuesday, February 13. Hence, he said, he
would not be opening the airport to us. Our contract guard
service reports that military have told its roving
supervisor/patrols to get off the roads now.
4. (C) Ambassador called Foreign Minister Conde immediately
to stress Guinea's responsibilities towards diplomats under
the Vienna Conventions. He emphasized that we had an
aircraft coming in early the next morning, and that we must
be able to reach it. He also said that our guard service
must be able to circulate in order to protect U.S. personnel
and properties effectively. Conde promised to try to reach
Kerfalla.
5. (C) FM Conde subsequently called back to say he had
failed to reach Kerfalla He had spoken with Justice Minister
Rene Alseny Gomes, however, who had confirmed to him that
diplomatic vehicles and personnel were exempt from curfew.
(Note: We do not intend to leave it there; we are seeking to
speak directly to Kerfalla as soon as possible, in order to
lay down our markers and to ensure he passes the word to the
airport commandant. End Note).
6. (C) FM Conde also told Ambassador that the civilian
government remains in place. "The military has been given
authority over domestic security," he said.
7. (C) French Ambassador is also pursuing efforts to ensure
diplomats are not affected directly by this decree.
8. (C) DCM and others are at Embassy overnight. AMB was due
to relieve at dawn.
MCDONALD