Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CONAKRY588
2008-10-08 16:11:00
SECRET
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:  

COUP PLOTTERS CONTINUE TO COORDINATE STRATEGY

Tags:  PGOV PMIL PREL ASEC GV 
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VZCZCXRO1430
PP RUEHPA
DE RUEHRY #0588/01 2821611
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P 081611Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3008
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000588 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/08/2018
TAGS: PGOV PMIL PREL ASEC GV
SUBJECT: COUP PLOTTERS CONTINUE TO COORDINATE STRATEGY

REF: CONAKRY 0568

Classified By: A/DCM SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000588

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/08/2018
TAGS: PGOV PMIL PREL ASEC GV
SUBJECT: COUP PLOTTERS CONTINUE TO COORDINATE STRATEGY

REF: CONAKRY 0568

Classified By: A/DCM SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D


1. (S) SUMMARY. A core group of young military officers
from what is commonly known as the 19th promotion, in
coordination with an underground youth movement, continue to
plot a coup d'etat to overthrow the Guinean Government
(reftel). They are in the process of fine tuning their
strategy and do not appear to be backing down, although they
may ultimately fall apart as other groups have done in recent
months. Embassy continues to emphasize that coups are
unacceptable. END SUMMARY.


2. (S) Young military officers and youth leaders continue to
plot to overthrow the Guinean Government and oust President
Conte from power. According to sources, youth leaders are
working with lawyers to write out a series of proposed
constitutional amendments and legislative decisions, which
the military would then force the National Assembly to pass.
The amendments reportedly include provisions to dissolve the
National Assembly, declare the president incompetent, and
call for presidential elections. The coup organizers
currently plan to take over the National Assembly, which
convened its budgetary session on September 24, demand that
the deputies pass the proposed legislation, and then force
their resignations.


3. (S) Information suggests that various actors are still
debating exactly how to handle President Conte. Strategies
reportedly range from forcing the president's resignation to
having him peacefully retreat to his village as head of state
in name only.


4. (S) Despite indications that contacts within the 19th
promotion may have gone incommunicado earlier in the week, a
youth leader told A/DCM during an October 7 reception that
the youths have had no problem communicating with their
military contacts, and that he had met personally with one of
the key leaders earlier that day. Contact added that the
military has identified a few key officers within the
presidential guard (Red Berets) who they are quietly trying
to convince to join them. He said that the coup organizers
are fairly confident that they will be able to recruit some
Red Berets over to their cause, which will facilitate their
plans for a bloodless coup since the Red Berets are seen as
their most likely opposition.


5. (S) A/DCM reiterated to the youth leader that the U.S.
Government views coups d'etat as an absolutely unacceptable
mechanism for political change. Contact nodded and said "I
know, I know." He indicated that a coup would not
necessarily be his first choice, but that the organizers are
prepared to continue down their current path.


6. (S) With respect to the possible involvement of mutiny
leader Claude Pivi (aka Coplan) in the coup plot, a youth
contact confirmed to DATT that members of the 19th promotion
are working very closely with Pivi.

--------------
COMMENT
--------------


7. (S) Contacts have not indicated a specific timeline for a
possible coup attempt, although comments suggest that they
could be looking at some time over the next few weeks. Both
military and youth sources told DATT that if Conte retires to
his village, they would be presented with a "good tactical
opportunity" to move. They do not appear to be backing down
from their plan, but instead fine tuning their strategy. The
longer they wait, the higher the risk of discovery, and
contacts have already started talking about fears that the
presidency may be trying to buy off various groups and/or
looking to start arresting key individuals.


8. (S) Guinea's current political dynamic is complex with a
diverse mix of players. As has been the case with recent
efforts of various groups to coalesce, this group of coup
plotters could very well fall apart as money exchanges hands,
personal ambitions emerge, and ethnocentrism take hold.
Contacts have long been advocating for a coup, but we have
yet to see one, despite clear opportunities to pull one off,
such as during the May military mutiny.


9. (S) The Embassy continues to convey the message that
coups are unacceptable, but contacts do not seem likely to be
deterred. If they go forward with their plan, Embassy does
not anticipate any direct threat to U.S. citizens or
interests, but is prepared to respond to any resulting

CONAKRY 00000588 002 OF 002


crisis. END COMMENT.
RASPOLIC