PRIME MINISTER OF GUINEA TO ATTEND UNGA, REQUESTS

UNCLAS CONAKRY 000511 SENSITIVE SIPDIS AF FOR PDAS PHILLIP CARTER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV UNGA GV SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER OF GUINEA TO ATTEND UNGA, REQUESTS MEETINGS IN WASHINGTON REF: CONAKRY 507 ¶1. (SBU) Foreign Minister Amadou Lamarana Bah told Charge September 9 that Prime Minister Souare would attend this year's UNGA between September 24 and 28. The Guinean delegation would also include Foreign Minister Bah, Minister of Security Mohamed Damba, and the Minister of Territorial Administration and Political Affairs, Sekou Bangoura. ¶2. (SBU) Bah said Prime Minister Souare and the three ministers planned to be in Washington between September 22 and 23. The FM requested Embassy assistance in arranging for a brief meeting between the PM and Secretary Rice, as well as suggestions for other high-level meetings for the Prime Minister. The FM stressed that even a 10-minute encounter with the Secretary would be welcome. He noted that the PM's upcoming visit to the US will the Prime Minister's first non-ceremonial international trip since taking office in May. (He previously visited China for the Olympics and the Gambia for Independence Day celebrations.) According to Bah, the Prime Minister would like to discuss bilateral issues, counter-narcotics assistance, military to military cooperation, and development assistance. ¶3. (SBU) Foreign Minister Bah said he would likely accompany the PM throughout his UNGA/Washington visit. While in Washington Bah would like to meet with PDAS Phillip Carter, whom he knew as Ambassador to Guinea. He asked Embassy Conakry to help arrange this meeting. Bah told Charge that one of the topics he wishes to broach with US officials is the possibility of the GoG recognizing Israel. ¶4. (SBU) Bah did not mention whom the Minister of Security and the Minister of Territorial Administration wished to meet, but it should be noted that the former is Guinea's top law-enforcement officer, and responsible for sacking a number of high officials implicated in narco-trafficking. He also launching the GoG's first real offensive aimed at stemming the tide of cocaine passing through Guinea (Reftel). The Minister of Territorial Administration and Political Affairs, Sekou Bangoura is also significant in that he will play a critical role in upcoming National Assembly elections. ¶5. (SBU) Comment: The FM's request for USG assistance in crafting the delegation's visit to Washington offers us the opportunity to ensure that the Prime Minister and three important cabinet members receive important and coordinated messages from a number of different USG departments and agencies. Post will work with the Department on possible options for this visit. BROKENSHIRE