Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CONAKRY185
2008-03-06 15:26:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:
GUINEA'S FUEL SUBSIDY: SOMETHING AFOOT - MAYBE
how-toVZCZCXRO7393 RR RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHRY #0185 0661526 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 061526Z MAR 08 FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2234 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS CONAKRY 000185
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/W AND EB/IFD/OMA
DEPT FOR EB/IFD/OMA
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO USTR FOR LAURIE ANN AGAMA
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO COMMERCE FOR SALIHA LOUCIF
TREASURY FOR OFFICE OF AFRICA NATIONS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12598: N/A
TAGS: ECON EPET PGOV GV
SUBJECT: GUINEA'S FUEL SUBSIDY: SOMETHING AFOOT - MAYBE
UNCLAS CONAKRY 000185
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/W AND EB/IFD/OMA
DEPT FOR EB/IFD/OMA
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO USTR FOR LAURIE ANN AGAMA
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO COMMERCE FOR SALIHA LOUCIF
TREASURY FOR OFFICE OF AFRICA NATIONS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12598: N/A
TAGS: ECON EPET PGOV GV
SUBJECT: GUINEA'S FUEL SUBSIDY: SOMETHING AFOOT - MAYBE
1. (SBU) According to a letter dated March 4, from the Secretary
General of the Ministry of Finance, Karamokobe Camara, to the
National Director of Customs, the Government of Guinea is extending
the fuel subsidy only through Saturday, March 8. The last subsidy
contract ended February 29 and they are usually extended in one
month increments. The Bureau Chief at Conakry's gas depot showed
Econoff the original letter and provided him with a copy.
2. (SBU) Finance can always issue another letter to extend the
subsidy, but the fact that this current extension is only for one
week suggests that the Guinean Government may be gearing up to
either reduce or eliminate the subsidy. Embassy Management Section
contacts are telling procurement staff that the price will go up on
Sunday. Commercial LES reports that vendors in the Medina Market,
Conakry's largest open air market, were openly discussing the price
increase and anticipating that it will be implemented on March 9.
Interestingly, Mr. Camara told Econoff on March 5 that he planned to
apply for a rush visa to travel to the US on March 8. However, the
Embassy has not yet received his application from the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs.
CARTER
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/W AND EB/IFD/OMA
DEPT FOR EB/IFD/OMA
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO USTR FOR LAURIE ANN AGAMA
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO COMMERCE FOR SALIHA LOUCIF
TREASURY FOR OFFICE OF AFRICA NATIONS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12598: N/A
TAGS: ECON EPET PGOV GV
SUBJECT: GUINEA'S FUEL SUBSIDY: SOMETHING AFOOT - MAYBE
1. (SBU) According to a letter dated March 4, from the Secretary
General of the Ministry of Finance, Karamokobe Camara, to the
National Director of Customs, the Government of Guinea is extending
the fuel subsidy only through Saturday, March 8. The last subsidy
contract ended February 29 and they are usually extended in one
month increments. The Bureau Chief at Conakry's gas depot showed
Econoff the original letter and provided him with a copy.
2. (SBU) Finance can always issue another letter to extend the
subsidy, but the fact that this current extension is only for one
week suggests that the Guinean Government may be gearing up to
either reduce or eliminate the subsidy. Embassy Management Section
contacts are telling procurement staff that the price will go up on
Sunday. Commercial LES reports that vendors in the Medina Market,
Conakry's largest open air market, were openly discussing the price
increase and anticipating that it will be implemented on March 9.
Interestingly, Mr. Camara told Econoff on March 5 that he planned to
apply for a rush visa to travel to the US on March 8. However, the
Embassy has not yet received his application from the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs.
CARTER