TFGV01: SITREP 46: GUINEA UNREST, FEB. 20, 2007,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000201

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: 02/20/2017
TAGS: PGOV ASEC CASC ELAB PINS AEMR GV
SUBJECT: TFGV01: SITREP 46: GUINEA UNREST, FEB. 20, 2007,
1100 GMT

REF: CONAKRY 195 AND PREVIOUS

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


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


1. (SBU) With extended non-curfew hours, we are seeing
increased vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Many Guineans
are using the opportunity to restock, with moderate activity
in markets, gas stations, and other small shops. Most large
stores remained closed, as they have been since January 10.
The presence of security forces remains at approximately the
same level as yesterday. Most of the patrols are being
carried out by police and gendarmes. Military continue to
man the checkpoint into downtown, but this morning, they were
not searching vehicles that passed. Little gunfire was
reported from Conakry's neighborhoods.


2. (C) Despite the current calm, the security situation in
Guinea remains volatile. The "state of siege" is scheduled
to lift February 23 unless the National Assembly approves its
extension. We are seeking to pin down whether the National
Assembly (which is not in session although the constitution
requires it to be during an emergency) will in fact take
action Friday. Due to the uncertainty of events this
weekend, Embassy Conakry has requested the Emergency Survey
and Assessment Team (ESAT) to remain at post until Sunday,
February 25. This would allow post to maintain the robust
communications the team currently offers in case the
situation worsens. If the weekend remains calm and order is
maintained without further violence, the ESAT team would be
prepared to depart as soon as travel is arranged. The
Regional Survey Team (RST) here since January 27, has
completed its work and will depart Thursday, Feb. 22.


3. (SBU) Severe fuel shortages have been reported from the
interior. We understand the Fouta Jallon and Forest regions
are most affected. Shell and Total have begun making
deliveries, under military escort, from the fuel depot
downtown to gas stations in Conakry. The companies told us
they will resume supplying stations in the interior once the
security situation improves.


4. (SBU) Some mining companies have resumed their
operations. On February 16, the Guinean Bauxite Company
(CBG) resumed minimal activities. They have been loading a
ship that plans to leave the port in Kamsar today. We
understand that the Russian mining conglomerate RUSAL has
re-initiated mining in Kindia. The gold mining companies
continue to operate at minimal levels.

--------------
Political Update
--------------



5. (SBU) Presidents Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia and
Ahmed Tejan Kabbah of Sierra Leone are meeting today with
Conte and representatives from the government. We understand
that other regional presidents (as yet unidentified) may/may
visit sometime during the week.


6. (SBU) A scheduled February 19 meeting between the
presidents of the National Assembly, Supreme Court and
Economic and Social Council, the unions, and some religious
leaders was canceled. Institution presidents met without the
unions to look at a course of action to convince Conte to
name a new prime minister, since the unions were unwilling to
negotiate over specific candidates without Conte's express
commitment to make a new appointment. We understand that the
meeting has now been rescheduled to 1600 today, and union
leaders are planning to attend. The unions have not held
formal internal meetings since the declaration of the state
of siege, since freedom of assembly is abrogated. Lacking a
forum for discussion, our union contacts agree that their
bottom line is for the government to uphold the January 27
agreement, appointing a new prime minister and a broad
consensus government.

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


CONAKRY 00000201 002 OF 002



8. (U) All American and the majority of locally-engaged
staff are at work today, permitting us to turn our attention
to non-crisis responsibilities and tasks.


9. (U) The Consular Section continues to see a steady but
not unmanageable stream of amcits and guardians of amcit
children seeking passport renewals and advice. Dakar Consul
General Beth Payne departed Conakry this morning after a
highly welcome and productive stay with us.
MCDONALD