Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CONAKRY53
2008-03-28 11:55:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:
MONDAY LABOR STRIKE LOOKING UNLIKELY
how-toVZCZCXRO7595 PP RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHRY #0053 0881155 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 281155Z MAR 08 FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2345 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
UNCLAS CONAKRY 000053
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ELAB ASEC GV
SUBJECT: MONDAY LABOR STRIKE LOOKING UNLIKELY
REF: A. CONAKRY 0050
B. CONAKRY 0021
UNCLAS CONAKRY 000053
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ELAB ASEC GV
SUBJECT: MONDAY LABOR STRIKE LOOKING UNLIKELY
REF: A. CONAKRY 0050
B. CONAKRY 0021
1. (SBU) As Guineans head into the weekend and approach the
March 31 deadline set by unions after a short-lived
escalation of political tensions in early January,
information from various sources suggests that a strike on
Monday is unlikely. Political and economic frustrations
remain high, but there seems to be little support for a
nationwide strike. However, the lack of a planned event does
not lessen the possibility of spontaneous political activity
in the coming days or weeks.
--------------
UNIONS SAY NO STRIKE
--------------
2. (SBU) Union leaders Dr. Ibrahima Fofana and Mme Sera
Rabiatou Diallo were still divided about a possible strike
when they spoke with POLOFF on March 26 (reftel A). However,
both union leaders chatted informally over lunch with POL LES
yesterday and said that they do not plan to strike on Monday.
Rabiatou later left the table, and Fofana told LES that
there is no support for a strike.
3. (SBU) While Guineans are generally unhappy with the
current political and economic situation, memories of last
year,s strikes, and especially the violence and suffering
that followed, are still fresh. As in early January, people
seem to be unwilling to risk violence in support of an
undefined agenda.
--------------
FUEL BACK IN THE PUMPS
--------------
4. (SBU) In an effort to alleviate some of the economic
pressure, the Guinean Government reportedly decided to
temporarily suspend its decision to ration fuel because of
the difficulties it was creating for the population (reftel
B). Daily deliveries are now back up to their normal level
of about 1.2 million liters and fuel is widely available in
the capital. According to an Embassy contact, the fuel
tanker is still expected on April 1, but could not say
whether the current fuel supply will last until the tanker
can be offloaded.
-------------- -
MINISTER OF SECURITY SAYS NO PROBLEMS EXPECTED
-------------- -
5. (SBU) The Minister of Interior and Security, Beau Keita,
told the Charge on March 28 that there will be no strike.
&We will have absolutely no problems,8 he said. He
repeatedly assured the Charge that he expects nothing to
happen, but if on the off chance that it does, the Ministry
will react accordingly to maintain security.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
6. (SBU) With the unions backing down and the government
helping to satisfy the pressing demand for fuel, a strike on
Monday seems unlikely. Embassy continues to monitor the
situation, especially the possibility of unplanned,
spontaneous protests linked to the country,s underlying
political and economic crisis. END COMMENT.
BROKENSHIRE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ELAB ASEC GV
SUBJECT: MONDAY LABOR STRIKE LOOKING UNLIKELY
REF: A. CONAKRY 0050
B. CONAKRY 0021
1. (SBU) As Guineans head into the weekend and approach the
March 31 deadline set by unions after a short-lived
escalation of political tensions in early January,
information from various sources suggests that a strike on
Monday is unlikely. Political and economic frustrations
remain high, but there seems to be little support for a
nationwide strike. However, the lack of a planned event does
not lessen the possibility of spontaneous political activity
in the coming days or weeks.
--------------
UNIONS SAY NO STRIKE
--------------
2. (SBU) Union leaders Dr. Ibrahima Fofana and Mme Sera
Rabiatou Diallo were still divided about a possible strike
when they spoke with POLOFF on March 26 (reftel A). However,
both union leaders chatted informally over lunch with POL LES
yesterday and said that they do not plan to strike on Monday.
Rabiatou later left the table, and Fofana told LES that
there is no support for a strike.
3. (SBU) While Guineans are generally unhappy with the
current political and economic situation, memories of last
year,s strikes, and especially the violence and suffering
that followed, are still fresh. As in early January, people
seem to be unwilling to risk violence in support of an
undefined agenda.
--------------
FUEL BACK IN THE PUMPS
--------------
4. (SBU) In an effort to alleviate some of the economic
pressure, the Guinean Government reportedly decided to
temporarily suspend its decision to ration fuel because of
the difficulties it was creating for the population (reftel
B). Daily deliveries are now back up to their normal level
of about 1.2 million liters and fuel is widely available in
the capital. According to an Embassy contact, the fuel
tanker is still expected on April 1, but could not say
whether the current fuel supply will last until the tanker
can be offloaded.
-------------- -
MINISTER OF SECURITY SAYS NO PROBLEMS EXPECTED
-------------- -
5. (SBU) The Minister of Interior and Security, Beau Keita,
told the Charge on March 28 that there will be no strike.
&We will have absolutely no problems,8 he said. He
repeatedly assured the Charge that he expects nothing to
happen, but if on the off chance that it does, the Ministry
will react accordingly to maintain security.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
6. (SBU) With the unions backing down and the government
helping to satisfy the pressing demand for fuel, a strike on
Monday seems unlikely. Embassy continues to monitor the
situation, especially the possibility of unplanned,
spontaneous protests linked to the country,s underlying
political and economic crisis. END COMMENT.
BROKENSHIRE