Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07CONAKRY195
2007-02-19 13:02:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:  

TFGV01: SITREP 45: GUINEA UNREST, FEB. 19, 2007,

Tags:  PGOV ASEC CASC ELAB PINS AEMR GV 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO1838
OO RUEHPA
DE RUEHRY #0195/01 0501302
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 191302Z FEB 07 ZDK DUE TO NUMEROUS SERVICES
FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0679
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEHFT/GOLFCO MSGBN AMCONGEN FRANKFURT GE IMMEDIATE
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//POLAD/J2/J5// IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000195 

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: 02/19/2017
TAGS: PGOV ASEC CASC ELAB PINS AEMR GV
SUBJECT: TFGV01: SITREP 45: GUINEA UNREST, FEB. 19, 2007,
1245 GMT

REF: CONAKRY 187 AND PREVIOUS

CONAKRY 00000195 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: PolOff Jessica Davis Ba, Reason 1.4 (b,d)


-----------------------
Situation on the Ground
-----------------------

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000195

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: 02/19/2017
TAGS: PGOV ASEC CASC ELAB PINS AEMR GV
SUBJECT: TFGV01: SITREP 45: GUINEA UNREST, FEB. 19, 2007,
1245 GMT

REF: CONAKRY 187 AND PREVIOUS

CONAKRY 00000195 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: PolOff Jessica Davis Ba, Reason 1.4 (b,d)


--------------
Situation on the Ground
--------------


1. (SBU) Non-curfew hours have been extended to 0600-1800
for all residents in Guinea, effective February 19; this
doubles the time people may circulate freely on foot or by
vehicle. General Kerfalla Camara, Chief of Staff of the
Armed Forces, included the relaxation in his daily broadcast
evening of February 18. He did not lift the state of siege,
nor have the unions suspended the general strike. After a
slow start to the day, there is significantly more vehicular
traffic, including taxis, than there has been since February

9. Some small shops and market stalls are open. The
environment is similar in the interior.


2. (SBU) The military continues to decrease its visible
presence. Few military are deployed in the streets, and
there is little gunfire during their patrols through
Conakry's neighborhoods. In his February 18 radio address,
General Kerfalla thanked the entire population for following
the orders of the state of siege and asked them to continue
vigilance and good behavior. He stated, "I remain optimistic
that we can achieve peace and development through the
participation of all Guineans." Kerfalla emphasized that the
state of siege is a temporary measure, necessary to return to
peace.


3. (SBU) Police and gendarmes are taking the lead on patrols
and at checkpoints. Checkpoints remain, but fewer than last
week; most operated only during curfew hours. Red berets
remain at the checkpoint at Castro bridge, the chokepoint to
downtown, which is continuous in curfew and non-curfew hours.



4. (SBU) On the February 18 national news, Minister of
Justice Gomez discussed the ongoing investigation into

"Guineans who have killed other Guineans." Gomez explained
that international investigations take place only when a
government refuses to undertake an inquiry, which was not the
case in Guinea. He said that Guinea has sufficient human
resources and expertise to mount the investigation, but would
not hesitate to call on international assistance for
technical questions they could not answer. Gomez concluded,
"This problem is Guinean -- it happened in Guinea, by
Guineans, and it will be managed by Guineans."


5. (C) The government continues its operations to identify
and arrest "foreign actors;" security forces are targeting
persons believed to be connected with LURD, ULIMO, or other
militias. Our sources confirm the arrest of at least 100
persons who are being detained at various military facilities
in Guinea. Over the weekend, military arrested Lieutenant
Manou Cisse, active military officer and counselor at the
presidency, for her connection with former LURD leader Aisha
Conneh, the reported lead organizer of the militia force.
Contrary to earlier reports, our sources tell us that Conneh
did not intend to use the militias to support Conte.
Instead, Conneh, in connection with former Minister of
Presidential Affairs Fode Bangoura and others, is suspected
of organizing efforts to seize power.

--------------
U.S. Press Statement
--------------


6. (SBU) The press statement released by the Embassy
February 16 has received widespread coverage in the
international media and on the internet. National outlet RTG
did not publish it. Reports from contacts suggest that many
Guineans heard the statement on shortwave broadcasts from RFI
or BBC. The statement was disseminated quickly on the web,
as editors on our initial address list responded that they
were passing to others who would be interested.


7. (SBU) Reaction has been positive. A Guinean professor in
the U.S. said the statement was "encouraging and conforms to
the traditions which represent the ideal and honor of the
United States." Other international representatives were
highly appreciative of its forthrightness. An Embassy FSN
currently in Labe, about 8 hours from Conakry, said that

CONAKRY 00000195 002 OF 002


Guineans there were very happy with the statement, which they
heard on shortwave. There was confusion in some quarters as
to whether this is an official U.S. Government position or
simply an Embassy statement.
--------------
Political Update
--------------


8. (C) Following the Ambassador's appeal on Feburary 16 for
implementation of Article 34 to remove President Conte,
National Assembly President Sompare, Supreme Court President
Sidime, and Economic and Social Council President Kamano
consulted with religious leaders. Then, on February 17, they
all (the three institutional presidents and the religious
leaders) called on President Conte and reportedly told him
that the American ambassador was advising that he should step
down "before its to late." Conte reportedly reacted
negatively, criticizing them for not coming to see him as
fellow Guineans but rather at the behest of a foreigner.
General Kerfalla was also present.


9. (SBU) A planned meeting February 17 including union
leaders, religious leaders, and presidents of the national
assembly, supreme court, and ecnomic and social council did
not take place. Although they have not made a formal
statement, union leaders told us that since the military did
not honor Rabiatou Serah Diallo's February 15 request to lift
the state of siege, they would not begin negotiations. The
union leadership has not met since February 9 and has thus
not been able to prepare a common position to advocate in
negotiations. Taibou Diallo, USTG executive committee
member, told Poloff that it is imperative for them to meet if
they are to move forward. Thus far, they have not received
approval for any meetings under the state of siege, even with
the relaxed curfew hours.


10. (SBU) On February 18, union leaders met with religious
leaders. We understand the union demarche was for the Muslim
and Christian clerics to ask Conte to lift the state of
siege. The religious leaders reportedly asked the unions
whether they would be able to guarantee continued calm if
this were to happen. Unable to make this guarantee, the
unions asked for an eased curfew. That evening, General
Kerfalla announced the new curfew hours.


11. (SBU) The unions told us they are willing to go back to
the table if there is a firm basis for discussion. They have
been asked by the presidents of the national assembly,
supreme court, and ecnonomic and social council to propose
names for new prime minister. However, the unions are
seeking assurances that Conte has personally issued this
directive. The unions maintain that they have already
engaged in dialogue, resulting in the January 27 agreement.
Unions leaders urge the government to follow the signed
roadmap. Until the government lives up to its side of the
bargain, the unions plan to continue the general strike.

--------------
Mission Operations
--------------


12. (SBU) On February 18, Mission staff went to modified
standfast for non-curfew hours to allow employees to shop and
visit friends. They are required to have their radios and
cell phones in possession at all times. There have been no
direct threats to AmCits of staff during the recent unrest.


13. (SBU) Consular staff are seeing steady traffic at the
ACS window; about 7 people came in on special Saturday hours,
and another dozen so far today. Most are dual nationality
minors, whose guardians are looking for assistance to travel
to the U.S. Conoffs received about 24 calls from Friday
evening to this morning. The airport remains open, with
several flights scheduled. Amcits desirous of leaving on
commercial air have been able to do so.
MCDONALD