EAC MEETING - JUNE 19, 2008

UNCLAS CONAKRY 000303 DEPT FOR S/ES-O, DS/IP/AF, DS/DSS/ITA, AF/EX E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC GV SUBJECT: EAC MEETING - JUNE 19, 2008 ¶1. (U) Embassy Conakry convened the Core EAC at 0900 on June 19, 2008 to review the present security situation in Guinea. EAC members present included A/DCM (POL),RSO, RAO, CONS, USAID, MGT, PAO and DAO. ¶2. (U) As of June 19, Guinea's teachers' unions reportedly began a nationwide labor strike. Last night the GoG stated negotiations are continuing but no agreement has been reached at this time. The Minister of Education has postponed end of year exams until the teachers' strike is resolved. The GoG recommended that parents keep children home. There did not appear to be any students in the streets this morning. ¶3. (U) Chief of Defense General Camara apologized last night on the news for the conflict between the military and police. He stated that senior police officials and military leaders continue to discuss the situation and the demands by the police. An agreement has been reportedly been reached at this time but no information is available yet. A military source reportedly stated that the police have agreed to go back to work on Tuesday, June 24. Gendarme continue to perform police functions throughout the city and at the airport. ¶4. (U) The Air France and Air Senegal flights arrived last night as scheduled. The embassy continues normal operations. Conakry is calm and going about business as usual with the exception of no students on the streets going to school. EAC considers post's security posture appropriate and will continue to monitor events. CARTER