Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07PARIS303
2007-01-25 16:57:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Paris
Cable title:  

GUINEA: FRENCH WATCH CLOSELY, MAKE READY FOR

Tags:  PREL PINS PINR ASEC CASC AEMR GV FR 
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VZCZCXRO8649
OO RUEHPA
DE RUEHFR #0303/01 0251657
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 251657Z JAN 07
FM AMEMBASSY PARIS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4442
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 3709
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 1106
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY 1905
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 000303 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/25/2017
TAGS: PREL PINS PINR ASEC CASC AEMR GV FR
SUBJECT: GUINEA: FRENCH WATCH CLOSELY, MAKE READY FOR
POSSIBLE WORST CASE SCENARIO

REF: A. CONARKY 82

B. CONAKRY 84

Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, 1.4 (b/d
).


C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 000303

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/25/2017
TAGS: PREL PINS PINR ASEC CASC AEMR GV FR
SUBJECT: GUINEA: FRENCH WATCH CLOSELY, MAKE READY FOR
POSSIBLE WORST CASE SCENARIO

REF: A. CONARKY 82

B. CONAKRY 84

Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, 1.4 (b/d
).



1. (C) SUMMARY: The French are observing events in Guinea
and readying for an evacuation if events turn for the worst.
A small GOF interagency team is in place and focusing on
operational needs should an evacuation be necessary. The
French believe that the situation is uncertain and volatile,
with a number of factors to consider -- notably, whether
President Conte will name a Prime Minister acceptable to the
opposition and unions, whether the unions can sustain the
strike at present levels, the possibility of an event that
could spark an explosion, and the reactions of the military
and Conte's own entourage. In the worst case scenario, the
French expect to evacuate up to 10,000 individuals, including
French citizens and those of its friends and allies. END
SUMMARY.


2. (C) MFA Guinea deskoff Damien Syed on January 25 said
that the GOF was watching Guinea closely. "We are nervous,
but the situation has not degenerated to the point where we
feel we have to do something." He said that a 5-person
interagency GOF team, composed of MOD experts and one MFA
representative, was in Conakry studying the operational
aspects of a possible evaluation. This team would return to
Paris soon and share its findings with other GOF elements
that might be involved in an evacuation.


3. (C) Syed said that the big question was whether the
general strike, which had extended longer than most experts
expected, would worsen, improve, or simply peter out as
fatigue sets in on all sides. Syed said that President
Conte's stated willingness to name a Prime Minister, in
itself, would not solve the crisis. The unions and
opposition, he said, would not be placated with a promise.
"They will continue until they are certain that Conte has put
in motion a process for change that he (Conte) cannot
reverse."


4. (C) The best solution would be for Conte to name a
credible Prime Minister and then give that person real power
to effect change, Syed observed. However, identifying such a
person and amending the Constitution to accommodate such a
role for a Prime Minister would not be easy. Moreover, a
change in the power structure in Guinea could provoke a
strong reaction from two groups who have been privileged
under Conte -- his immediate entourage and the military.
Would these groups be willing to see their power and
influence diminish? Syed doubted that they would, and said
that the possibility of a palace or military coup existed,
should Conte make real concessions to the opposition.


5. (C) It was difficult to see the current strike
continuing at its present levels indefinitely, Syed noted.
Most worrisome was the possibility of an incident or accident
that could dramatically raise the level of violence such that
an evacuation became necessary. Such an incident or accident
became increasingly more likely as the strike continued and
fatigue and ill-will increased on both sides. Hence the need
to prepare for a worst case scenario.


6. (C) Syed said that an evacuation could involve up to
10,000 individuals at the extreme high end. These would
include not only the 2,042 French nationals believed to be in
Guinea but also the nationals of France's friends and allies.
Syed named specifically citizens of EU member states, the
U.S., and Japan, as well as the staff of the EU and other
international organizations present in Guinea.


7. (C) As a practical matter, the general strike was taking
its toll on everyday life at the French Embassy. Syed said
the Embassy and its personnel were beginning to run short of
fuel, certain staple food products normally obtained on the
local market, and other products. "They can go on normally
for another week or so, but after that, we are going to have
to do something about provisions," he commented.


8. (C) Throughout the discussion, Syed repeatedly said that
the GOF, and especially its mission in Guinea, hoped to work
closely with the USG and with Embassy Conakry, not only in
sharing information and analyses of the situation but also in

PARIS 00000303 002 OF 002


maintaining communications and planning channels should an
evacuation become necessary. We said that the USG and its
elements would surely work closely with France and other
concerned parties should that need arise.


Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm

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