NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE GENERATES HARD-HITTING

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000448 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM ASEC GV SUBJECT: NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE GENERATES HARD-HITTING DISCUSSION ¶1. (U) SUMMARY. The UNDP sponsored a three-day national roundtable in Conakry, which closes a series of roundtables held over the last few months in each of Guinea's 33 prefectures and five communes. While the dialogue itself may have been somewhat routine, the conference was unusual in terms of the overall tone and generally blunt discussion of Guinea's political and economic challenges. The Special Representative of the President of ECOWAS demanded a plan of action and urged Guinea to look to its future instead of its past. A union leader publicly declared the president medically unfit for office while the Minister of Defense humbly apologized for recent military violence. While the conference declaration does not represent any new ideas, it does serve as a useful benchmark, if not roadmap, for the new prime minister. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) With funding provided by the UNDP Consolidation and Peace Fund, IFES organized a three-day conference aimed at promoting national dialogue. The conference was held in Conakry and attended by an estimated 450 participants representing a wide range of Guinean actors including government, civil society, trade unions, the business community, and the international community. The event served as the culmination of a series of national dialogue conferences organized by IFES throughout the country's 33 prefectures and five communes of Conakry, beginning April 10. (NOTE - IFES also receives significant funding from the USG for democracy promotion activities). ¶3. (U) Prime Minister Ahmed Tidiane Souare did not attend the opening ceremony, but sent the Minister of Defense as his personal representative. Several other members of the Souare government also participated in the discussions, including the ministers of national reconciliation, education, justice, decentralization, and health. The new Secretary General of the President, Alpha Ibrahima Keira, attended the opening ceremony, but left before it was over. For the USG, the Charge attended the opening ceremony, and a TCN (Third Country National) team leader in the USAID technical office for democracy and good governance observed various sessions throughout the duration of the conference. -------------- LESS TALK, MORE ACTION -------------- ¶4. (U) Within the international community and Guinean society itself, Guineans are generally seen as very good at talking about issues, but slow to act when it comes to addressing those issues. Although the conference has not yet generated any concrete action plan, it does appear to be somewhat different from its predecessors in terms of the open manner of speech and often blunt criticism of Guinea's political situation. ¶5. (U) The Special Representative of the President of ECOWAS, Ambassador Edward Aina (Nigeria),delivered a particularly tough message. In a statement directed at the president, Aina noted that Africa's archives are full of speeches, declarations, and resolutions, but that political will and action are lacking. Commenting on the fact that he was eleven years old when Guinea gained its independence fifty years ago, he asked what Guinea has accomplished during that timeframe. "What has become of the Guinea that was the vanguard of independence and pan-africanism? What has been done with the natural and human resources that have been exploited? What legacy has Guinea left for its current population, especially its youth?" Aina stressed that ECOWAS, of which Guinea is a founding member, is waiting for a plan of action. At one point, Aina said "a bird that continues to look at its shadow will never fly," alluding to Guinea's focus on its past glories and tragedies, rather than the demands of its future. -------------- CONCERNS ABOUT PRESIDENT'S HEALTH -------------- ¶6. (U) Mme Serah Rabiatou Diallo, Secretary General of the National Confederation of Guinean Workers (CNTG),was equally blunt in her published speech, which was endorsed by the Unions-Intersyndicale. She stated that President Conte's illness, which dates back to 2002, prevents him from effectively and responsibly carrying out his presidential duties. Further, Rabiatou emphasized that Guinea's legal code (Loi Fundamentale) explicitly requires that the president be of "irreproachable physical and moral" health. CONAKRY 00000448 002 OF 002 -------------- MILITARY APOLOGIZES -------------- ¶7. (U) Representing the Minister of Defense, the Army Chief of Staff publicly acknowledged a host of problems facing the military including a lack of resources and a "deficit of patriotism and civic understanding." He assured participants that although the military has been responsible for recent violence, military leaders are not sitting on their hands. He noted that the military as an institution is shocked, humiliated, and dishonored by these events. "That is why, in total humility (I) present to ...President Conte and the Guinean people, our sincere excuses for the mistakes committed by (certain) elements." -------------- AUDIENCE REACTIONS -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Rabiatou's comments about the president's perceived incapacitation did not elicit any noticeable response from participants. When the Minister of Defense mentioned President Conte during his opening speech speech, the audience was absolutely silent. Both culture and protocol demand that listeners automatically applaud each time the president's name is mentioned. They did not. The lack of response was so noticeable that the Minister of Defense paused and said "I said his Excellency, President Lansana Conte." At that point, the audience laughed and half-heartedly clapped their hands. -------------- REHASHING OLD ISSUES -------------- ¶9. (U) The conference resulted in a host of recommendations dealing with improved governance, the economy, education, health, security sector reform, and economic and political integration. None of the issues are new. Elections were not mentioned specifically, although there were recommendations to strengthen the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI). -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶10. (U) While Guineans are not new to talking about what needs to be done, the tone of this conference appeared different from those of the past. Embassy TCN observed a palpable desire for change, and noted that despite the recent government reshuffling that has some people worried about a return to the old regime, people were honest and critical in their comments. As always, the real test will be to see if any concrete action comes out of the discussion. However, the conference declaration provides a useful benchmark, if not roadmap, for the new prime minister. END COMMENT. BROKENSHIRE