TOGO: GILCHRIST OLYMPIO REMAINS "CAUTIOUSLY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 003825 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/14/2017 TAGS: PREL PINR KDEM UNGA TO FR SUBJECT: TOGO: GILCHRIST OLYMPIO REMAINS "CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC" ABOUT ELECTIONS REF: PARIS 3274 Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, 1.4 (b/d ). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Togo's UFC opposition leader Gilchrist Olympio told us on September 13 that he remained "cautiously optimistic" about the integrity of the upcoming October 14 legislative elections in Togo and upbeat about the UFC's chances. He intends to travel to Ghana on September 15 and then continue to Togo. He plans to stay in Togo during the pre-electoral campaign period except for a visit to Burkina Faso to consult with President Campaore regarding the latter's intention to have ECOWAS military observers present during the elections. He hopes that the U.S. can send a small but symbolically important uniformed military delegation to observe the elections. Olympio would like the September 25 UNSC heads-of-state meeting on Africa to issue a statement urging that the October 14 elections in Togo go forward on a free and fair basis. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) At his request, we met on September 13 with UFC opposition leader Gilchrist Olympio, who was relaxed and at ease. He said that, overall, he remained "cautiously optimistic" about the integrity of the October 14 legislative elections in Togo and thought his party would do well if the elections were free and fair. The UFC, he said, would field candidates in every electoral district. Olympio himself would not be a candidate but he said he had registered to vote during his most recent visit to Togo. He said that after some glitches, the computerized voter registration system seemed to be working well and that he obtained his voter ID card within minutes. He noted that about 3 million Togolese had so far registered to vote, which he said was a good sign for the opposition. ¶3. (C) Olympio said that the government did not seem to be going out of its way to impede his political activities. He noted the requirement that each candidate post a "bond" equivalent to 300 euro -- if a candidate receives fewer than 5 percent of the vote, the sum is forfeited to the state; if the candidate receives more than 5 percent, the money is returned to the candidate. Olympio said this was an attempt by the government to weed out marginal candidates, which was fair enough, but that the UFC would have to front about USD 32,000 for all of its candidates, and this was a small but nonetheless irritating obstacle. He indicated that the UFC would be able to raise the money. ¶4. (C) Olympio said he would travel to Ghana on September 15 and then continue on to Togo. He planned to spend the pre-electoral period in Togo, campaigning for UFC candidates. He would, however, make one side-trip to Burkina Faso, to discuss with President Campaore the latter's plan to have ECOWAS troops in Togo to provide reassurance to voters and to deter violence, either on the part of the opposition or, more importantly, on the part of the government. Olympio hoped that the Togolese military would not be allowed to roam at will on election day and intimidate voters as it had done in the past. The presence of ECOWAS soldiers would be most useful. ¶5. (C) In this vein, Olympio said that he welcomed the support the USG has shown for the electoral process, including its sending civilian election observers. He suggested that, in addition, the USG could consider sending a few uniformed military personnel to serve as election observers. There need not be a great many of them, but even a "token" USG military presence would send a strong symbolic message of support and concern, and thereby emphasize the USG's interest in free and fair elections. ¶6. (C) Olympio referred to the UN Security Council meeting, at heads-of-state level, scheduled to take place on September 25 during the UNGA and devoted to African topics. He understood that issues such as Darfur would likely dominate the agenda, but he suggested that it would be most useful if the UNSC, operating at heads-of-state level, could issue a statement urging the Togolese government to ensure that the October 14 elections be conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner. Olympio stressed that this would be a powerful message from the international community at the highest level just a few weeks before the October 14 election date. ¶7. (C) COMMENT: Olympio seemed even more relaxed than at our previous meeting (reftel). Although "cautiously optimistic," he mentioned (but only once or twice) that the Faure Gnassingbe government could, of course, do something to PARIS 00003825 002 OF 002 undermine the elections. Unlike previous occasions, Olympio did not engage in any emotional diatribes about the Gnassingbes, and referred to Faure only once, in passing, as "le garcon." Olympio will try to contact U.S. Ambassador Dunn while in Togo. As for his presence in Paris, Olympio said he had interrupted his previous stay in Togo to return to France to be with his wife during a recent cataract operation she had had. She experienced no difficulties with the operation, thus easing his return to Africa on September ¶15. END COMMENT. Please visit Paris' Classified Website at: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm Stapleton