TFGV01: SITREP 44: GUINEA UNREST, FEB. 17, 2007,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000187

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR GUINEA TASK FORCE, AF/W, AF/EX, CA/OCS, DS/IP/AF
PLEASE ALSO PASS TO AID/AFR, PEACE CORPS

C O R R E C T E D COPY - CHANGED CLASSIFICATION MARKINGS PARAGRAPH 1.

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/16/2017
TAGS: PGOV ASEC CASC ELAB PINS AEMR GV
SUBJECT: TFGV01: SITREP 44: GUINEA UNREST, FEB. 17, 2007,
1200 GMT

REF: CONAKRY 184 AND PREVIOUS

CONAKRY 00000187 001.3 OF 002


Classified By: POLOFF JESSICA DAVIS BA, REASON 1.4 (b,d)

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Situation on the Ground
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1. (SBU) Conakry remains quiet. Yesterday afternoon, some
shops and food markets opened during the non-curfew hours
(noon - 1800),and vehicular traffic was slightly heavier
than in previous days. During curfew hours, there is almost
no vehicular traffic, except for military patrols, which
continue to go through various neighborhoods.


2. (C) The military has decreased its overall presence since
the beginning of the week. Military contacts have told us
that police and gendarmes will once again take the lead on
security and law enforcement, but this has not been announced
publicly. The military, police, and gendarmes continue to
patrol and man certain flashpoints. Checkpoints remain in
several areas of the city, and we have received reports of
military officers who verbally harass and threaten civilians,
including two AmCit journalists.


3. (C) Outside Conakry, the military is reportedly
conducting several operations. In Kouroussa, a city near
Kankan in Upper Guinea, the mayor told us that on February 16
at least 100 military troops arrived to arrest youth
suspected of the destruction of retired General Sory
Doumbouya's house. Soldiers are strictly enforcing the
curfew by firing shots throughout Kouroussa and are
conducting door-to-door searches for those whose names are on
their list of suspects. Thus far, we understand they have
arrested more than 40 persons. We received similar reports
from Koundara, near the border with Senegal; N'Zerekore,
capital of the Forest Region; and Banankoro, a key diamond
mining center.


4. (C) In Macenta, authorities have reportedly arrested at
least 50 people who are suspected of being ex-combatants
affiliated with ULIMO. Some of these men were found with
automatic rifles and machine guns. Because the prison in
Macenta was destroyed during protests last week, the
detainees are being held at the military barracks in
N'Zerekore, about 2 hours distant. The military in
N'Zerekore reportedly arrested at least 40 additional armed
persons there. On February 14, N'Zerekore's prison burned
down, according to a call from an Embassy contact there. He
said that prisoners held in the facility were safely moved to
the military barracks, but said he understood that as many as
12 subsequently suffocated in the extremely crowded
conditions of confinement.


5. (SBU) The airport remains open with multiple
international flights approved by General Kerfalla Camara.
Royal Air Maroc will re-initiate service on February 19 and
plans to fly three times per week. Yesterday's Air France
brought in a larger 300-passenger plane and left with 40
empty seats. We expect tonight's flight to be full, as the
Russian bauxite operation RUSAL is sending 150 of its family
members and employees out of the country. The warden message
released on February 16 included the contact information from
these and other commercial airlines and asked that AmCits
contact the consular section if they need additional help
departing Guinea. We received only three calls overnight
requesting information and none of these callers requested
additional assistance.


6. SBU) The French Embassy organized a small aircraft to
bring several citizens from Labe to Conakry February 15; one
Amcit took advantage of this flight and is now in contact
with our consular section. Regional airline Paramount is
also provided some service to Labe.

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Political Update
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7. (C) There appears to be very little movement on the
political front. Rabiatou Serah Diallo, CNTG General
Secretary, is reportedly facing severe criticism from other

SIPDIS
union leaders and members for attending the February 15
meeting with the presidents of the republican institutions
and religious leaders. While there were other union members
present, CNTG Vice-General Secretary Amadou Diallo refused to

CONAKRY 00000187 002.3 OF 002


attend as did USTG General Secretary. We understand the
union membership wants its leaders to have no contact with
any government actor until President Conte lifts the state of
siege. Rabiatou Diallo has reportedly received numerous
death threats and has requested (and received) a detail from
the Ministry of Security. In the meantime, General Kerfalla
Camara has announced that the state of siege will remain in
place until the unions end their strike and "stop organizing
demonstrations." He linked lifting the state of siege with
an accord between unions and the government.


8. (SBU) Although it was announced by Michel Kamano,
President of the Economic and Social Council, there was no
February 16 meeting between the representatives of Guinea's
republican institutions, political parties, and civil
society. The union leaders were asked to return to the
Palais du Peuple this morning to continue negotiations. We
have urged them to go, but given the firm opposition from the
membership, it is unclear if they will do so.


9. (SBU) Former Nigerian President Babangida and ECOWAS
Secretary General Chambas arrived late this morning.

SIPDIS

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Mission Operations
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10. (SBU) Key staff is in the office today. When Mission
staff are not at work, they are on standfast at their
residences. During non-curfew hours, they are allowed to go
in groups to make grocery runs or to attend certain specified
activities, with prior RSO notification.
MCDONALD