Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CONAKRY202
2008-03-12 15:27:00
SECRET
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:  

(S) NOT THE CONTE I KNOW

Tags:  PGOV PREL ASEC GV 
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VZCZCXRO2995
PP RUEHPA
DE RUEHRY #0202 0721527
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P 121527Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2255
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
S E C R E T CONAKRY 000202 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/12/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC GV
SUBJECT: (S) NOT THE CONTE I KNOW

REF: CONAKRY 0068

Classified By: POL/ECON CHIEF SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D

S E C R E T CONAKRY 000202

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/12/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC GV
SUBJECT: (S) NOT THE CONTE I KNOW

REF: CONAKRY 0068

Classified By: POL/ECON CHIEF SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D


1. (S) During a March 12 meeting with Poloff, opposition
leader Sidya Toure of the Union Force Republican (UFR) party
shared his observations regarding his Monday courtesy call on
President Lansana Conte. Toure said that it was the first
time he had seen Conte in over eight years and that Conte had
significantly changed for the worse, both physically and
mentally. According to Toure, both of Conte,s legs were
black and swollen, suggesting complications related to his
diabetes. In addition, Conte,s hand reportedly trembled
throughout the meeting, and at one point, he struggled to
light a cigarette. Toure said he joked with him about his
continued smoking habit to which Conte reportedly waved his
hand dismissively and said that it was a mild brand. Toure
told Poloff that &this is not the Conte I know, the old
Conte would have asked me who the hell I was to question
him.8


2. (S) Toure made the courtesy call in order to offer
condolences for the death of the president,s brother last
week. He said that the meeting lasted about thirty minutes,
but lacked substance, focusing mostly on exchanging
pleasantries. Toure said that he did not think Conte was
capable of discussing more serious matters and questioned the
state of Conte,s mental health. Toure noted that he owns a
plantation next to some property of Conte,s and that Conte
asked him about the plantation at least five different times
during the conversation. &He did not even remember that he
had already asked me about it,8 Toure said.


3. (S) In response to a question about decision making
within the presidency, Toure said that Conte is not capable
of making decisions and members of his inner circle are
likely responsible for recent presidential decisions. At one
point, Toure said &one of the drivers or gardeners could
come in and get him to sign something if they tried.8 Toure
added that various animals, including chicken, sheep, and
goats, were milling about in front of the president, which is
something the &old Conte8 would not have tolerated.


4. (S) Toure told Poloff that the man he saw &was not
Conte.8 He said that Conte was really a different man,
clearly &tired and finished.8 Toure added that if the
country ends up facing a situation similar to that of
January/February 2007, the president does not have the
capacity to effectively manage it.

--------------
COMMENT
--------------


5. (S) Toure seemed genuinely shocked by Conte,s apparent
deterioration. In a January meeting with Poloff, when asked
about who might be behind presidential decision making, Toure
said that no one represents the president, but the president
(reftel). Seeing the man in person after eight years appears
to have dramatically changed Toure,s assessment. It was
also clear that Toure,s impressions of the president,s
physical and mental wellbeing will likely figure into his
overall political calculations as he and others pursue a
parallel dialogue and search for a common strategy to achieve
change (to be reported septel). Toure indicated several
times that the president is no longer capable of quelling
possible resistance movements. END COMMENT.
BROKENSHIRE