Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CONAKRY734
2008-12-05 09:59:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:
17 GUINEAN MINISTERS IN MECCA FOR PIGLRIMAGE
how-toVZCZCXRO9283 PP RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHRY #0734 3400959 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 050959Z DEC 08 FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3188 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
UNCLAS CONAKRY 000734
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON ASEC GV
SUBJECT: 17 GUINEAN MINISTERS IN MECCA FOR PIGLRIMAGE
UNCLAS CONAKRY 000734
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON ASEC GV
SUBJECT: 17 GUINEAN MINISTERS IN MECCA FOR PIGLRIMAGE
1. (U) The Guinean Government sent a delegation of 17
ministers, including the prime minister, on pilgrimage to
Mecca this week. A western diplomat told the Charge that he
had personally seen the group boarding two unidentified,
private chartered airplanes at the national airport. A local
internet news site (Guinee24.com) criticized the government
for spending a significant sum of money to send the
delegation when the state is suffering from a severe
"financial crisis." The article speculates that the trip
cost at least 340 million GnF ($71,000) without taking per
diem and other expenses into account. The author states that
it is clear that current government officials are "filling
their pockets as fast as they can before they are fired."
2. (SBU) A European Ambassador told the Charge on December 3
that President Conte was reportedly furious that half of his
government had left the country. The Ambassador said that
Prime Minister Souare told Conte he would be leaving on
pilgrimage, but did not indicate how many ministers would be
accompanying him.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
3. (U) It is unclear where the funding for the trip came
from, but the government of Saudi Arabia may have provided
the chartered airplanes and/or financial assistance to
facilitate the delegation's pilgrimage. Guinee24 commented
that it was unusual for such a large, high-level delegation
to leave the country at the same time. END COMMENT.
RASPOLIC
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON ASEC GV
SUBJECT: 17 GUINEAN MINISTERS IN MECCA FOR PIGLRIMAGE
1. (U) The Guinean Government sent a delegation of 17
ministers, including the prime minister, on pilgrimage to
Mecca this week. A western diplomat told the Charge that he
had personally seen the group boarding two unidentified,
private chartered airplanes at the national airport. A local
internet news site (Guinee24.com) criticized the government
for spending a significant sum of money to send the
delegation when the state is suffering from a severe
"financial crisis." The article speculates that the trip
cost at least 340 million GnF ($71,000) without taking per
diem and other expenses into account. The author states that
it is clear that current government officials are "filling
their pockets as fast as they can before they are fired."
2. (SBU) A European Ambassador told the Charge on December 3
that President Conte was reportedly furious that half of his
government had left the country. The Ambassador said that
Prime Minister Souare told Conte he would be leaving on
pilgrimage, but did not indicate how many ministers would be
accompanying him.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
3. (U) It is unclear where the funding for the trip came
from, but the government of Saudi Arabia may have provided
the chartered airplanes and/or financial assistance to
facilitate the delegation's pilgrimage. Guinee24 commented
that it was unusual for such a large, high-level delegation
to leave the country at the same time. END COMMENT.
RASPOLIC