TFGV01: SITREP 40: GUINEA UNREST, FEB. 14, 2007,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000177 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR GUINEA TASK FORCE, AF/W, AF/EX, CA/OCS, DS/IP/AF PLEASE ALSO PASS TO AID/AFR, PEACE CORPS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/13/2017 TAGS: PGOV ASEC CASC ELAB PINS AEMR GV SUBJECT: TFGV01: SITREP 40: GUINEA UNREST, FEB. 14, 2007, 1200 GMT REF: CONAKRY 176 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: POLOFF JESSICA DAVIS BA, REASON 1.4 (b,d) -------------- Security Overview -------------- ¶1. (SBU) As of this morning, the military continues to enforce the "state of siege" that extends extensive powers to Guinea's armed forces. At 0800, streets were empty of vehicular traffic, but there was some pedestrian presence. Small breakfast vendors were in evidence, but market stalls, shops and stores have been closed since February 10. ¶2. (SBU) On the February 13 evening news, General Kerfalla Camara, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, addressed the nation and invited all members of the armed forces to take the measures necessary to implement the state of emergency, including stopping and searching vehicles. General Camara stated that security forces are authorized to use lethal force. The military slightly amended the curfew, allowing free circulation between the hours of 1200 and 1800. This is a slight opening of the four-hour window announced on February 12. Persons are allowed to congregate only for religious ceremonies. We will monitor today's expanded non-curfew period to see if stalls and shops open. ¶3. (SBU) Diplomats, the Red Cross and, reportedly, international organizations (still trying to confirm the last),were authorized to circulate between the hours of 0800 and 1600. This is a clear violation of Guinea's obligations under the Vienna convention. The Ambassador has made this point in person with the Foreign Minister Mamadi Conde at 10:00 this morning, and is, as of this writing, making it as well with the Prime Minister Eugene Camara. The French Ambassador has also demarched the Foreign Minister on this matter. ¶4. (C) The Ambassador is meeting now with the Prime Minister, in company with other western Ambassadors and the EU Rep, to deliver a frank and tough message. He has also requested a bilateral meeting today with General Kerfalla. ¶5. (C) Some of Guinea's land borders are reportedly closed for departure. Separate missionary groups informed us yesterday evening that when they tried to cross the border into Sierra Leone near Mamou and Faranah, they were stopped by military officers. The missionaries were told their travel would have to be authorized by the General Kerfalla. However, our sources in N'Zerekore report that merchants arrived this morning by road from Cote d'Ivoire. SOurces tell us there is traffic across the Guinea-Senegal border at Koundara. ¶6. (SBU) The airport is open. General Kerfalla announced that international flights were permitted, provided they request his approval. The Air France Paris/Conakry/Paris flight operated yesterday without incident, as did a commercial flight operated by Paramount Airlines to Freetown. While the Air France flight that was tentatively scheduled for today will not/not be coming in, we understand that flights each night from Thursday, February 15 through Sunday, February 18 are probable. We are updating our warden message with this information and are urging American citizens to take advantage of this commercial air service. ¶7. (C) The port remains open, according to the Guinean military, but it is only minimally staffed. ¶8. (SBU) The situation in the interior remains tenuous. We have confirmed reports that military forces killed four persons in Labe following an attack on a private bank. One was a woman who was returning from the market. There are unconfirmed reports of at least one death in Macenta. N'Zerekore is currently calm, with the majority of persons abiding by the curfew. The military have beaten and arrested people on the streets, and at least seven people were reportedly killed there when the population attacked the governor's office February 12. ¶9. (SBU) The unions maintain the general strike that re-activated on February 12. There has been no formal dialogue between the government, military, or the unions. -------------- CONAKRY 00000177 002 OF 002 Mission Operations -------------- ¶10. (SBU) All American employees in country are at work at the Embassy compound. Staff came into work with designated drivers assigned to pick up colleagues living in the same area. We have adequate fuel supplies and will renew residential fuel and water deliveries now that we are clearly able to circulate during the 0800-1800 timeframe. MGT Officer is canvassing employees to determine where it might desirable to consolidate personnel due either to security or logistic constraints. ¶11. (C) EAC met at 0900 to review developments. We determined that we would be able to fill the 47 available seats should the military aircraft now on stand-by in Dakar make a second trip to Conakry, provided it came in at about 1600 February 15 (to allow for curfew and organization). We considered the deployment of an MSD team, but do not believe it is necessary at this time; we will continue to reevaluate as events develop. MCDONALD