EMBASSY CONAKRY - SITUATION REPORT 7

C O N F I D E N T I A L CONAKRY 000236

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/28/2018
TAGS: PGOV PMIL ASEC GV
SUBJECT: EMBASSY CONAKRY - SITUATION REPORT 7

REF: A. CONAKRY 0224 - 0229

B. CONAKRY 0231

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


1. (C) Embassy sources close to the negotiations report that
things are "much better." Negotiations have reportedly ended
for the day and the prime minister is expected to make an
announcement this evening on the national news network.
Sources indicate that the mutineers will likely release
General Sampil from custody tonight.


2. (C) Caleb Kolie, a recently returned beneficiary of our
Foreign Press Center Tour and the Information Director at
Radio Familia FM, a private radio station, told PAO this
afternoon that Claude Pivi, also known as Koplan, had called
into his morning talkshow. Koplan claims to be the
spokesperson for the mutiny. According to Kolie, Koplan is a
charismatic leader who is well known within the military.
Koplan reportedly spoke to Kolie on the air and encouraged
the soldiers to stay in their barracks and stop looting the
city. He went on to say that the government's accession to
the mutineers' demands was a good start and that the soldiers
should remain calm. While he was on the air, two other
soldiers reportedly called in and said that the government's
offer was not good enough, and that they were concerned that
some soldiers were being arrested.


3. (C) Kolie told PAO that once the interview was over,
Prime Minister Souare called him and asked how he could get
in touch with the mutineers, and then asked Kolie to visit
him in his office. Kolie said that when he arrived at the
PM's office, Souare was already in the middle of a meeting
with political parties. The PM reportedly interrupted the
meeting in order to meet privately with Kolie, and then asked
Kolie to call Kaplan so that the PM could speak with him.
According to Kolie, Kaplan was not happy about speaking with
the PM. Kolie described the PM's conversation with Kaplan as
"tense." He said that Koplan shouted at the PM and was rude
while Koplan insisted that not all of the demands had been
met. Koplan reportedly said he wanted the promised 5 million
GnF per soldier paid out immediately, and that he was unhappy
with the rice subsidy issue. Kolie said the PM told Koplan
that he would meet all of his demands, and that the
government would issue another statement this evening.


4. (SBU) There have been occasional incidents of sporadic
gunfire, but the situation remains calm.


5. (SBU) At 13:30, Pol LES reported that a grenade had
exploded in Cosa, not far from LES' private residence. LES
arrived on the scene shortly after the explosion and was told
by the gathered crowd that three soldiers were killed, and
another injured, when the grenade exploded. Subsequent
information revealed that the soldiers, who were reportedly
drunk, were arguing over the goods they had stolen when one
of them pulled the pin on the grenade. The DAO chauffer
reported that he saw the wounded body being evacuated on the
roof of a taxi.

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COMMENT
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6. (SBU) The situation remains calm and Embassy continues to
monitor the situation closely. Negotiations appear to be
progressing calmly. END COMMENT.
CARTER