Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CONAKRY15
2008-01-08 05:49:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:
RULING PARTY DECLARES SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENT CONTE
how-toVZCZCXRO6606 PP RUEHPA DE RUEHRY #0015 0080549 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 080549Z JAN 08 FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2020 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
C O N F I D E N T I A L CONAKRY 000015
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/08/2018
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PREL GV
SUBJECT: RULING PARTY DECLARES SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENT CONTE
Classified By: POL/ECON CHIEF SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D
C O N F I D E N T I A L CONAKRY 000015
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/08/2018
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PREL GV
SUBJECT: RULING PARTY DECLARES SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENT CONTE
Classified By: POL/ECON CHIEF SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D
1. (U) The Party for Unity and Progress (PUP) issued a
declaration on January 6 affirming party support for its long
time leader, President Lansana Conte. Sekou Konate, PUP
General Secretary, who reportedly signed the document, called
on PUP supporters to 'mobilize in order to safeguard national
unity and to preserve social peace,' noting that the PUP has
always remained loyal to Conte, even during difficult
political periods. Referring to the general labor strike
planned to resume on January 10, Konate said that the strike
is against Prime Minister Lansana Kouyate and not the
president. Furthermore, Konate emphasized that the PUP has
never seen a role for itself within the Kouyate government.
2. (C) COMMENT. The PUP's declaration does not seem to be
well thought out. If Conte emerges victorious from what many
Guineans are seeing as a power struggle between the PM and
the president, the PUP is likely to be seen as anti-change.
If Kouyate comes out on top, the PUP is likely to lose any
remaining credibility it might have as a legitimate political
party. By publicly declaring support for Conte and
essentially denouncing Kouyate as the head of government in
such strong terms, the PUP may have irrevocably tied itself
to a dying regime. Furthermore, if violence erupts as it did
during the January/February 2007 strike, the PUP's
declaration may have just painted a bullseye on party
members. END COMMENT.
CARTER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/08/2018
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PREL GV
SUBJECT: RULING PARTY DECLARES SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENT CONTE
Classified By: POL/ECON CHIEF SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D
1. (U) The Party for Unity and Progress (PUP) issued a
declaration on January 6 affirming party support for its long
time leader, President Lansana Conte. Sekou Konate, PUP
General Secretary, who reportedly signed the document, called
on PUP supporters to 'mobilize in order to safeguard national
unity and to preserve social peace,' noting that the PUP has
always remained loyal to Conte, even during difficult
political periods. Referring to the general labor strike
planned to resume on January 10, Konate said that the strike
is against Prime Minister Lansana Kouyate and not the
president. Furthermore, Konate emphasized that the PUP has
never seen a role for itself within the Kouyate government.
2. (C) COMMENT. The PUP's declaration does not seem to be
well thought out. If Conte emerges victorious from what many
Guineans are seeing as a power struggle between the PM and
the president, the PUP is likely to be seen as anti-change.
If Kouyate comes out on top, the PUP is likely to lose any
remaining credibility it might have as a legitimate political
party. By publicly declaring support for Conte and
essentially denouncing Kouyate as the head of government in
such strong terms, the PUP may have irrevocably tied itself
to a dying regime. Furthermore, if violence erupts as it did
during the January/February 2007 strike, the PUP's
declaration may have just painted a bullseye on party
members. END COMMENT.
CARTER