EMBASSY CONAKRY - SITUATION REPORT 14

C O N F I D E N T I A L CONAKRY 000254

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/02/2018
TAGS: PGOV PMIL ASEC GV
SUBJECT: EMBASSY CONAKRY - SITUATION REPORT 14

REF: A. CONAKRY 0223 - 0228

B. CONAKRY 0231 - 0233

C. CONAKRY 0236 - 0253

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


1. (U) There was a visible lessening of tension in the
streets over the weekend as Conakry residents ventured out to
take care of regular business. Gas stations, some of which
were under the protection of the president's military forces,
opened to the public. Many stores were open, and there was
increased pedestrian and vehicle traffic. There were no
further reports of gunfire after celebratory shooting within
the camps the evening of May 30. On Sunday, Guinea hosted
Zimbabwe for its first qualifying match for the soccer World
Cup, which ended uneventfully with neither team scoring. The
airport is operating normally.


2. (C) Negotiations between the mutineers and the GoG
continued through the weekend. At about 17:00 on Friday, May
30, a delegation of mutineers went to Camp Samory Toure to
meet directly with President Lansana Conte. Conte reportedly
told them that he agreed that there were some issues that
needed to be addressed and that he would negotiate with them.
However, he asked them to go back to the barracks, restore
calm to the city, and pray for forgiveness and reflection
over the weekend. The president told the mutineers to come
back at 10:00 on Sunday, June 1 to resume negotiations.


3. (C) However, when the mutineers (approximately 35 in
number) returned on Sunday to resume negotiations, they were
told that the president would not be meeting with them, and
that they should instead proceed to meet with GoG negotiators
on the third floor of the Ministry of Defense. Reportedly
fearing that they would be arrested, the mutineers resisted
negotiations without the president. The mutineers eventually
held a meeting with Army Chief of Staff General Diarra
Camara, and after several hours, Conte agreed to meet with
them around 15:00 at Camp Samory Toure.


4. (C) According to sources, the mutineers had changed their
demands once again. They apparently backed off the demand
for all senior military officials to retire, and were
requesting promotions for mutineers. Conte reportedly agreed
to promote all the leaders of the mutiny by at least one
rank. He told them that their demands would be met and they
should return to Camp Alpha Yaya. He reportedly promised
that the GoG would continue negotiations at Alpha Yaya on
Monday at 10:00. As the mutineers were leaving Camp Samory
Toure, they waved their weapons in the air and cheered.


5. (C) On May 30, all soldiers received the initial 1
million GnF payment, which is part of the promised 5 million,
in addition to their regular salary normally paid out on the
last day of the month.
CARTER