GUINEA'S NEW GOVERNMENT TAKES FIRST STEPS ON

UNCLAS CONAKRY 000380


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PREL GV
SUBJECT: GUINEA'S NEW GOVERNMENT TAKES FIRST STEPS ON
ELECTIONS

REF: CONAKRY 361



1. (U) SUMMARY. In a meeting with international donors, the
Senior Elections Steering Committee outlined the next steps
for upcoming legislative elections in late 2008. MinFin Dore
said that budget outlays have been authorized for July,
August, and September, but that a sizeable funding shortfall
exists. Government and independent election officials gave
the appearance of close coordination, with the GoG eager to
press ahead. The G8 representatives advised the government
to further stress the application of election laws evenly
across the political spectrum. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) The Guinean Senior Election Steering Committee,
consisting of Minister of Territorial Administration and
Political Affairs (MATAP) Sekouba Bangoura, the president of
the Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) Ben Sekou Sylla,
and MinFin Ousmane Dore, met with the international donor
community on July 15. The donors included the U.S. and
French representatives, the World Bank, ECOWAS, and the EU,
the U.N. coordinator.


3. (U) Bangoura opened by reaffirming his commitment to
credible, well organized, and transparent elections. He said
preparations would consist of two phases: revision of the
electoral lists, and organization of the election itself.
MATAP, the CENI, and the Steering Committee then presented
the technical and financial details of their progress.
(NOTE: Post will scan and email these documents to AF/W. END
NOTE.)


4. (U) MinFin Dore said that the GoG had authorized the
election financing for July, August, and September, but had
not yet allocated the funds. Addressing a financing gap of
GNF 114 billion ($26.8 million),Dore said that the budget
should be scoured for unnecessary items. He said that the
GoG by itself would not be able to fully finance the budget.
(NOTE: The USAID Director noted that the GoG had
underreported USAID's contribution to the election. The
USAID Director said he will follow up to correct the GoG's
information. END NOTE.)


5. (U) Ambassador Carter raised the subject of CENI
preparedness outside Conakry. Extensive travel in the
provinces by the Ambassador and his team revealed that
provincial branches were "not prepared" for the elections,
and were waiting on guidance from the CENI leadership. He
noted that the weakest CENI organs were those furthest from
Conakry. Bangoura and Sylla acknowledged this problem and
said they would work to bolster communication with the
upcountry representatives. Bangoura added: "If the CENI
doesn't work, I can't do my job."


6. (U) The EU representative, the U.N. coordinator, and
Ambassador Carter urged MATAP and the CENI to increase
communication with the public to clearly highlight the
government's neutrality during the election. The donors said
the Kouyate government had made this announcement, but it was
important for the Souare government reiterate the importance
of the government's political neutrality in the conduct of
the elections. The steering committee agreed.


7. (U) The EU representative reminded Bangoura that a date
for the start of the political campaign is required by law.
She asked him if MATAP would enforce this date for incumbent
members of the ruling party, some of whom have begun
campaigning beforehand. Bangoura said he would look into it
and take the proper steps to enforce the electoral code with
respect to all parties.


8. (SBU) Despite Dore's outspoken commitment on elections at
the meeting, we have learned that the election funds have not
yet been released. The prime minister has subsequently
ordered Dore to obligate the funds immediately.

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COMMENT
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9. (SBU) The improvement in the level of cooperation between
CENI and MATAP officials, at least on the surface, was
striking. Whereas Ben Sylla's relationship with the Kouyate
government was notoriously bad, he seemed to be working
hand-in-glove with Bangoura. Both seemed genuinely concerned
about taking substantive steps toward the elections. Bangoura
also openly repeated much of what he told Ambassador Carter
in private (reftel). As previously noted, Bangoura is saying
all the right things. It remains to be seen if he can
deliver. Ben Sylla made few comments about the budget
outside of his prepared remarks. Some observers believe he
intentionally inflated the budget since this might well be
the CENI's only opportunity to secure funding. END COMMENT.


CARTER