Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07LIBREVILLE85
2007-02-16 11:06:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Libreville
Cable title:
TFGV01: GUINEA'S REQUEST FOR TEAR GAS--GABON DEMURS
how-toVZCZCXRO9997 PP RUEHPA DE RUEHLC #0085 0471106 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 161106Z FEB 07 FM AMEMBASSY LIBREVILLE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9585 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA PRIORITY 0970 RUEHKI/AMEMBASSY KINSHASA PRIORITY 1364 RUEHLU/AMEMBASSY LUANDA PRIORITY 0951 RUEHNJ/AMEMBASSY NDJAMENA PRIORITY 0420 RUEHYD/AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE PRIORITY 0774 RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L LIBREVILLE 000085
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
ADDIS FOR ASAU; KINSHASA ALSO FOR BRAZZAVILLE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/16/2117
TAGS: PGOV ASEC PHUM PINS MOPS GV GB
SUBJECT: TFGV01: GUINEA'S REQUEST FOR TEAR GAS--GABON DEMURS
REF: LIBREVILLE 00040
Classified By: Ambassador Barrie Walkley for reasons 1.4 b and d
C O N F I D E N T I A L LIBREVILLE 000085
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
ADDIS FOR ASAU; KINSHASA ALSO FOR BRAZZAVILLE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/16/2117
TAGS: PGOV ASEC PHUM PINS MOPS GV GB
SUBJECT: TFGV01: GUINEA'S REQUEST FOR TEAR GAS--GABON DEMURS
REF: LIBREVILLE 00040
Classified By: Ambassador Barrie Walkley for reasons 1.4 b and d
1. (C) On February 15, Ali Bongo (Gabon's Minister of
Defense) told Ambassador Walkley that Ibrahama Sory Soumah
(Guinea's Ambassador to Gabon) had requested an urgent
meeting earlier in the week to pursue again Guinea's request
for tear gas and (according to Bongo) "associated equipment"
(reftel). Soumah was surprised to hear from Ali Bongo that
President Omar Bongo had not yet authorized the shipment of
tear gas to Guinea. (FYI: Ali Bongo told Ambassador Walkley
that he was not certain that President Bongo -- who has been
out of the country for most of the last three weeks -- was
aware of Guinea's request).
2. (C) Ali Bongo said that the tear gas and other materiel
requested by Guinea had been obtained from France and could
not be transferred to other countries without France's
approval. Ali Bongo contacted the French Ambassador to
determine if Guinea had requested tear gas directly from
France; the French Ambassador said he was not aware of any
request. Asked if he thought France would approve the
transfer of Gabon's tear gas to Guinea, the French Ambassador
indicated serious doubt.
3. (C) COMMENT: Gabon has not rejected the Guinean request,
apparently preferring instead to stall indefinitely any
decision on the matter.
WALKLEY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
ADDIS FOR ASAU; KINSHASA ALSO FOR BRAZZAVILLE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/16/2117
TAGS: PGOV ASEC PHUM PINS MOPS GV GB
SUBJECT: TFGV01: GUINEA'S REQUEST FOR TEAR GAS--GABON DEMURS
REF: LIBREVILLE 00040
Classified By: Ambassador Barrie Walkley for reasons 1.4 b and d
1. (C) On February 15, Ali Bongo (Gabon's Minister of
Defense) told Ambassador Walkley that Ibrahama Sory Soumah
(Guinea's Ambassador to Gabon) had requested an urgent
meeting earlier in the week to pursue again Guinea's request
for tear gas and (according to Bongo) "associated equipment"
(reftel). Soumah was surprised to hear from Ali Bongo that
President Omar Bongo had not yet authorized the shipment of
tear gas to Guinea. (FYI: Ali Bongo told Ambassador Walkley
that he was not certain that President Bongo -- who has been
out of the country for most of the last three weeks -- was
aware of Guinea's request).
2. (C) Ali Bongo said that the tear gas and other materiel
requested by Guinea had been obtained from France and could
not be transferred to other countries without France's
approval. Ali Bongo contacted the French Ambassador to
determine if Guinea had requested tear gas directly from
France; the French Ambassador said he was not aware of any
request. Asked if he thought France would approve the
transfer of Gabon's tear gas to Guinea, the French Ambassador
indicated serious doubt.
3. (C) COMMENT: Gabon has not rejected the Guinean request,
apparently preferring instead to stall indefinitely any
decision on the matter.
WALKLEY