CASUALTIES REPORTED AS MILITARY AND POLICE

UNCLAS CONAKRY 000298 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV ASEC PMIL ELAB GV SUBJECT: CASUALTIES REPORTED AS MILITARY AND POLICE EXCHANGE FIRE REF: CONAKRY 0297 ¶1. (SBU) Beginning at approximately 10:00 on June 17, elements of the Guinean military faced off with striking police officers (reftel) in the Camayenne area of Conakry, which is located about one kilometer before the Castro Bridge. Preliminary reports indicate that there are at least 5 dead and 9 wounded on the military side, and another 15 dead and an unknown number wounded on the police side. Between 40 and 45 police officers, three of which are women, have been taken into custody by the military and are being held at Camp Samory Toure. ¶2. (SBU) According to contacts, the exchange of fire included rocket propelled grenades, AK47s, and heavy machine guns. The army has reportedly cleared the Camayenne area. An Amcit living in that area reported that security forces (unclear as to whether they are police or military) are asking some residents to vacate their houses and leave the area. ¶3. (SBU) As the conflict took shape, one contact reported that 350 heavily armed soldiers were seen leaving from Camp Alpha Yaya (home to the recent mutineers),heading towards downtown. Contact said that the mutineers were going to support the military against the police. ¶4. (SBU) Outside of the Camayenne area, the city has been relatively quiet. With the military arresting police officers and taking them to Camp Samory Toure, the conflict is beginning to die down, at least near the CMIS headquarters (Mobile Company for Security Intervention). -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶5. (SBU) It appears that the situation in the Camayenne area may be getting under control. For the time being, Embassy has not received any reports of gunfire exchange in other parts of the city. The detention of 45 police officers at Camp Samory Toure raises human rights concerns, which we are voicing to contacts as appropriate. END COMMENT. CARTER