Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CONAKRY719
2008-11-25 13:23:00
SECRET
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:
FRENCH CONCERNED THAT GOG IS COUNTING ON FOREIGN
how-toVZCZCXRO9147 PP RUEHPA DE RUEHRY #0719 3301323 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 251323Z NOV 08 FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3174 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
S E C R E T CONAKRY 000719
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/25/2018
TAGS: PGOV EAID PREL ASEC GV
SUBJECT: FRENCH CONCERNED THAT GOG IS COUNTING ON FOREIGN
AID TO FULFILL FINANCIAL PROMISES
REF: A. CONAKRY 0701
B. CONAKRY 0709
Classified By: POL/ECON CHIEF SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D
S E C R E T CONAKRY 000719
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/25/2018
TAGS: PGOV EAID PREL ASEC GV
SUBJECT: FRENCH CONCERNED THAT GOG IS COUNTING ON FOREIGN
AID TO FULFILL FINANCIAL PROMISES
REF: A. CONAKRY 0701
B. CONAKRY 0709
Classified By: POL/ECON CHIEF SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D
1. (S) Embassy DATT met with the French Political Attache to
discuss contact's recent meeting with the Minister Secretary
General of the Presidency, Alpha Ibrahima Keira. The French
Attache asked Keira how the GoG plans to pay for the
financial commitments it has made to various groups, and in
particular, the significant military pay raise that is
supposed to go into effect in January. Keira reportedly said
that with Obama's election, the GoG is expecting a
significant increase in aid assistance from the United
States. Contact told DATT that Keira did not seem to
understand that President-elect Obama had not yet actually
been sworn into office, nor that any changes in foreign
assistance would likely takes months to go into effect. When
contact alluded to this possibility, Keira reportedly said
that the GoG would then look to China for financial
assistance.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
2. (S) Contact's expressed concern that the Guinean
Government is counting on increased foreign aid in the new
year to meet its considerable financial obligations echoes
concerns raised by the World Bank Representative (reftels).
Recent public statements by various government officials
alluding to the anticipated $2 billion in debt relief as a
result of meeting the HIPC completion point also lends
legitimacy to this concern. Available information suggests
that the GoG does not currently possess the budgetary
resources needed to meet the commitments that will come due
in January. END COMMENT.
RASPOLIC
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/25/2018
TAGS: PGOV EAID PREL ASEC GV
SUBJECT: FRENCH CONCERNED THAT GOG IS COUNTING ON FOREIGN
AID TO FULFILL FINANCIAL PROMISES
REF: A. CONAKRY 0701
B. CONAKRY 0709
Classified By: POL/ECON CHIEF SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D
1. (S) Embassy DATT met with the French Political Attache to
discuss contact's recent meeting with the Minister Secretary
General of the Presidency, Alpha Ibrahima Keira. The French
Attache asked Keira how the GoG plans to pay for the
financial commitments it has made to various groups, and in
particular, the significant military pay raise that is
supposed to go into effect in January. Keira reportedly said
that with Obama's election, the GoG is expecting a
significant increase in aid assistance from the United
States. Contact told DATT that Keira did not seem to
understand that President-elect Obama had not yet actually
been sworn into office, nor that any changes in foreign
assistance would likely takes months to go into effect. When
contact alluded to this possibility, Keira reportedly said
that the GoG would then look to China for financial
assistance.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
2. (S) Contact's expressed concern that the Guinean
Government is counting on increased foreign aid in the new
year to meet its considerable financial obligations echoes
concerns raised by the World Bank Representative (reftels).
Recent public statements by various government officials
alluding to the anticipated $2 billion in debt relief as a
result of meeting the HIPC completion point also lends
legitimacy to this concern. Available information suggests
that the GoG does not currently possess the budgetary
resources needed to meet the commitments that will come due
in January. END COMMENT.
RASPOLIC