Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CONAKRY166
2008-05-06 15:09:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:
US AND BRITISH AMBASSADORS MEET WITH INTERIOR
how-toVZCZCXRO6630 PP RUEHPA DE RUEHRY #0166 1271509 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 061509Z MAY 08 FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2482 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 0533 RUEABND/DEA WASHDC PRIORITY RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L CONAKRY 000166
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/05/2015
TAGS: SNAR PGOV GV
SUBJECT: US AND BRITISH AMBASSADORS MEET WITH INTERIOR
MINISTER ABOUT DRUGS
REF: CONKARY 155
Classified By: Ambassador Phillip Carter III for reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L CONAKRY 000166
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/05/2015
TAGS: SNAR PGOV GV
SUBJECT: US AND BRITISH AMBASSADORS MEET WITH INTERIOR
MINISTER ABOUT DRUGS
REF: CONKARY 155
Classified By: Ambassador Phillip Carter III for reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
1. (SBU) On Friday, May 2, Ambassador Carter and British
Ambassador John McManus called on the Minister of Interior
and Security, Beau Keita, to discuss their mutual concerns of
increased narcotics trafficking in Guinea for European
markets. Noting the recent article in the local newspaper,
Le Lynx, the Ambassador congratulated the Minister on the
seizure of a large amount of illlicit narcotics, reportedly
one ton of cocaine. However, he added, with some concern,
that at a meeting with embassy officials the previous week,
ministry officials presented only 347 kilos of seized
contraband. Both Ambassadors asked when the Ministry would
be destroying the seized drugs and that both missions would
like to watch the actual destruction. Minister Keita thanked
the Ambassadors for their interest and concern. He stated
that his office will contact our embassies about the date of
destruction and invite us to observe the incineration. As to
the discrepancy in quantity seized, Keita said that the press
had probably exaggerated. Despite repeated attempts for
details surrounding the seizure, Keita was vague, stating
that a Latino and a Frenchman had been detained. It was
unclear if they were still in detention.
2. (SBU) Ambassador McManus stressed that the growing problem
of narcotics trafficking in Guinea is not just a US/UK issue,
but a broader European worry as well. Ambassdor Carter added
that while Guinea Bissau is seen as West Africa's first
"narco-state," the narcotics problem seems growing in Guinea.
Both Ambassadors asked Keita what he was doing to stop the
flow of drugs into Guinea. Keita repeatedly stated that the
government is completely against this illicit activity, but
that it lacked the basic resources to combat it effectively.
He said that he had just signed an accord with the Spanish
government that will allow Spanish and other EU ships to
patrol the coast in order to identify ships trafficking
persons, as well as narcotics. He asked that the US and EU
support his ministry with training, equipment and
information. Ambassador Carter stated that the US is
providing equipment to the Guinean Navy to track commercial
vessels under the AIS system and that this information might
prove helpful to Keita and his ministry. Keita shook his
head, stating that the Guinean Navy does not share one iota
of information with the police. Despite Keita's best
efforts, the Guinean Navy refuses to collaborate with
civilian security forces. He added that the police try to
monitor over sixty embarkation points around Conakry used by
local fisherman traveling in pirogues and dhows. He admitted
that these efforts are hit and miss at best.
3. (SBU) Both Ambassadors closed the meeting by informing
Keita that their respective govenrments will continue to
follow the issue of narcotics trafficking in Guinea very
closely and will look to see what assistance could be
rendered. On the issue of information sharing, Ambassador
Carter laid the marker that corruption within the security
services could be facilitating such traffic, emphasizing that
it would be is ineffective to provide information if the
government is not going to act. Keita acknowledged the
problem of police corruption but added that there are
officers who will do their duty. He emphasized that if our
governments had information of a possible shipment arriving
into Guinea, he would ensure its interdiction.
4. (C) Keita's responses were typical of his interactions
with us. He speaks the party line, but there is no depth to
what he says. His ministry is reportedly deeply involved in
the trafficking problem, and his weak response suggests that
he is either unable or unwilling to do much about it. Keita,
himself, may be deep into this illicit business. For
example, the newspaper journalist who reported on the seizure
confided with the embassy's public affairs officer that his
contacts said that the five or six hispanics who were
detained were later released after they were visited the
minister and his wife. The reporter did not mention this in
his story prudently weighing his self-preservation over an
even more provocative story.
CARTER
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/05/2015
TAGS: SNAR PGOV GV
SUBJECT: US AND BRITISH AMBASSADORS MEET WITH INTERIOR
MINISTER ABOUT DRUGS
REF: CONKARY 155
Classified By: Ambassador Phillip Carter III for reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
1. (SBU) On Friday, May 2, Ambassador Carter and British
Ambassador John McManus called on the Minister of Interior
and Security, Beau Keita, to discuss their mutual concerns of
increased narcotics trafficking in Guinea for European
markets. Noting the recent article in the local newspaper,
Le Lynx, the Ambassador congratulated the Minister on the
seizure of a large amount of illlicit narcotics, reportedly
one ton of cocaine. However, he added, with some concern,
that at a meeting with embassy officials the previous week,
ministry officials presented only 347 kilos of seized
contraband. Both Ambassadors asked when the Ministry would
be destroying the seized drugs and that both missions would
like to watch the actual destruction. Minister Keita thanked
the Ambassadors for their interest and concern. He stated
that his office will contact our embassies about the date of
destruction and invite us to observe the incineration. As to
the discrepancy in quantity seized, Keita said that the press
had probably exaggerated. Despite repeated attempts for
details surrounding the seizure, Keita was vague, stating
that a Latino and a Frenchman had been detained. It was
unclear if they were still in detention.
2. (SBU) Ambassador McManus stressed that the growing problem
of narcotics trafficking in Guinea is not just a US/UK issue,
but a broader European worry as well. Ambassdor Carter added
that while Guinea Bissau is seen as West Africa's first
"narco-state," the narcotics problem seems growing in Guinea.
Both Ambassadors asked Keita what he was doing to stop the
flow of drugs into Guinea. Keita repeatedly stated that the
government is completely against this illicit activity, but
that it lacked the basic resources to combat it effectively.
He said that he had just signed an accord with the Spanish
government that will allow Spanish and other EU ships to
patrol the coast in order to identify ships trafficking
persons, as well as narcotics. He asked that the US and EU
support his ministry with training, equipment and
information. Ambassador Carter stated that the US is
providing equipment to the Guinean Navy to track commercial
vessels under the AIS system and that this information might
prove helpful to Keita and his ministry. Keita shook his
head, stating that the Guinean Navy does not share one iota
of information with the police. Despite Keita's best
efforts, the Guinean Navy refuses to collaborate with
civilian security forces. He added that the police try to
monitor over sixty embarkation points around Conakry used by
local fisherman traveling in pirogues and dhows. He admitted
that these efforts are hit and miss at best.
3. (SBU) Both Ambassadors closed the meeting by informing
Keita that their respective govenrments will continue to
follow the issue of narcotics trafficking in Guinea very
closely and will look to see what assistance could be
rendered. On the issue of information sharing, Ambassador
Carter laid the marker that corruption within the security
services could be facilitating such traffic, emphasizing that
it would be is ineffective to provide information if the
government is not going to act. Keita acknowledged the
problem of police corruption but added that there are
officers who will do their duty. He emphasized that if our
governments had information of a possible shipment arriving
into Guinea, he would ensure its interdiction.
4. (C) Keita's responses were typical of his interactions
with us. He speaks the party line, but there is no depth to
what he says. His ministry is reportedly deeply involved in
the trafficking problem, and his weak response suggests that
he is either unable or unwilling to do much about it. Keita,
himself, may be deep into this illicit business. For
example, the newspaper journalist who reported on the seizure
confided with the embassy's public affairs officer that his
contacts said that the five or six hispanics who were
detained were later released after they were visited the
minister and his wife. The reporter did not mention this in
his story prudently weighing his self-preservation over an
even more provocative story.
CARTER