AMBASSADOR CARTER URGES GREATER ECOWAS INVOLVEMENT

UNCLAS CONAKRY 000384


STATE FOR AF/W

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC GV
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR CARTER URGES GREATER ECOWAS INVOLVEMENT
IN GUINEA


1. Ambassador Carter on July 17 urged the Representative of
the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Edward
Aina to raise his organization's profile and play a leading
role in promoting elections and good governance in Guinea.
Citing the successes ECOWAS recently enjoyed in Togo and
Mauritania, the Ambassador suggested that Aina work in closer
collaboration with G-8 countries, and use his office to
muster support among ECOWAS nations represented in Guinea.
Noting that such involvement was clearly spelled out in the
ECOWAS mandate, Ambassador Carter said Guinea is at a
critical crossroads, and that ECOWAS involvement would
demonstrate strong regional concerns for developments inside
the country.


2. Ambassador Aina, a longtime Nigerian diplomat, said he was
also concerned with the unraveling of the political situation
in Guinea, but fell short of promising any specific
initiative. He claimed that if he were to criticize Guinea's
handling of elections or other issues "it would only sow
confusion." He preferred such criticism to come from the
organization's head office in Abuja.


3. Aware of the significant role ECOWAS played in 2007 when
it dispatched former Nigerian president Ibrahim Babanguida to
press President Conte to reach a political compromise, Aina
said that under the right circumstances ECOWAS could possibly
ask Babanguida to return. Unless the timing were opportune,
however, Aina was unsure what the former president could
accomplish, or even what his goal would be.


4. Ambassador Aina hopes to continue a regular dialogue with
the US, and expressed concerned over recent trends in Guinea.
After seeing President Conte earlier in the week at an
official ceremony, Aina said the President is 'a sick man,'
while the inner circle around him has dissolved into rival
clans vying for opportunities to gain power. Civil society
has fragmented, he continued, and political parties have no
common approach on elections.


5. Aina affirmed that greater ECOWAS engagement was
appropriate at this time, but said he would also like to see
clear evidence that the Guineans are prepared to address
their problems themselves and not rely on outside assistance.
"You have to make at least some effort to lift your own
luggage if you want people to give you a helping hand," he
said.

CARTER