Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CONAKRY84
2008-04-09 14:20:00
SECRET
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:
ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE ON CONTE'S HEALTH - WHO IS
how-toVZCZCXRO7732 PP RUEHPA DE RUEHRY #0084 1001420 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 091420Z APR 08 FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2381 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
S E C R E T CONAKRY 000084
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/09/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC GV
SUBJECT: ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE ON CONTE'S HEALTH - WHO IS
RUNNING THE COUNTRY?
Classified By: POL/ECON CHIEF SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D
S E C R E T CONAKRY 000084
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/09/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC GV
SUBJECT: ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE ON CONTE'S HEALTH - WHO IS
RUNNING THE COUNTRY?
Classified By: POL/ECON CHIEF SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D
1. (S) During a meeting with Poloff on April 9, Nicolas
Kazadi, the Economic Counselor for the UN Mission in Guinea,
mentioned that he saw President Conte on April 3 with a
visiting UN representative (septel). "I was absolutely
shocked," Kazadi said, "and I have to ask myself who is
really running the country." Kazadi, who has been assigned
to Guinea for more than four years, said it was his first
time meeting the president.
2. (S) Kazadi said that Conte was clearly unwell and looked
as if he should be staying in a medical facility. According
to Kazadi, the president was "dirty" and looked as if he is
not even taking care of basic personal grooming. "His
fingernails were long and yellow, he was not even wearing any
shoes and he had his leg propped up on the couch," Kazadi
said. Poloff asked about the leg and Kazadi confirmed that
it was a dark, unhealthy black color. He noticed some sort
of local salve remedy applied to the skin and said it did not
look like the president is treating it according to modern
medical practices.
3. (S) Although the president was reportedly engaged
throughout the discussion, Kazadi said that Conte's hands
continually shook and that he proceeded to chain smoke four
cigarettes in a 20 minute period.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
4. (S) Embassy continues to hear comparable reports
regarding Conte's current state of health. Kazadi's
observations were similar, although more detailed, than that
of his UN colleague Gerard Latortue (septel). Kazadi told
Poloff that Conte did not look at all presidential and
repeatedly questioned how a man in his condition could
effectively lead the government. END COMMENT.
CARTER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/09/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC GV
SUBJECT: ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE ON CONTE'S HEALTH - WHO IS
RUNNING THE COUNTRY?
Classified By: POL/ECON CHIEF SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D
1. (S) During a meeting with Poloff on April 9, Nicolas
Kazadi, the Economic Counselor for the UN Mission in Guinea,
mentioned that he saw President Conte on April 3 with a
visiting UN representative (septel). "I was absolutely
shocked," Kazadi said, "and I have to ask myself who is
really running the country." Kazadi, who has been assigned
to Guinea for more than four years, said it was his first
time meeting the president.
2. (S) Kazadi said that Conte was clearly unwell and looked
as if he should be staying in a medical facility. According
to Kazadi, the president was "dirty" and looked as if he is
not even taking care of basic personal grooming. "His
fingernails were long and yellow, he was not even wearing any
shoes and he had his leg propped up on the couch," Kazadi
said. Poloff asked about the leg and Kazadi confirmed that
it was a dark, unhealthy black color. He noticed some sort
of local salve remedy applied to the skin and said it did not
look like the president is treating it according to modern
medical practices.
3. (S) Although the president was reportedly engaged
throughout the discussion, Kazadi said that Conte's hands
continually shook and that he proceeded to chain smoke four
cigarettes in a 20 minute period.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
4. (S) Embassy continues to hear comparable reports
regarding Conte's current state of health. Kazadi's
observations were similar, although more detailed, than that
of his UN colleague Gerard Latortue (septel). Kazadi told
Poloff that Conte did not look at all presidential and
repeatedly questioned how a man in his condition could
effectively lead the government. END COMMENT.
CARTER