NIGERIA: THE LATEST ON GUINEA-CONAKRY FROM ECOWAS'

UNCLAS ABUJA 000708 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/W, INR/AA BAGHDAD FOR DMCCULLOUGH E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV ECOWAS PREL KDEM GV NI SUBJECT: NIGERIA: THE LATEST ON GUINEA-CONAKRY FROM ECOWAS' CHAMBAS REF: CONAKRY 213 ¶1. (SBU) On April 21, Economic Community of West African States President Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas assembled Abuja's diplomatic corps to discuss the latest developments in Guinea. He said that overall, ECOWAS was pleased with the outcome of the efforts of the International Contact Group (ICG),which has held three meetings in Conakry to date and had also met with "Guinean authorities, including the CNDD President." He said that the ICG had pressed hard for firm election dates, and that the CNDD had responded by setting October 13 for legislative elections, December 11 for the first round of Presidential elections, and December 27 for the second round of Presidential elections. Chambas went on to say that National Council for Democracy and Development (CNDD) President Moussa Dadis Camara had assured the ICG that neither he nor any CNDD official will stand for office at any level. (COMMENT: We understand from reftel that Dadis is now hinting that he may change this stance. Chambas, however, seemed unaware of this change in position. END COMMENT). ¶2. (SBU) Chambas said that the "ball is now in the court of the international community," and that Guinea's friends must now "accompany the Guinean people in their march toward democracy." He said that the ICG's next meeting would be May 4, and that it would primarily be an opportunity for the international community to support Guinea with "financial, material, and technical resources." He expressed hope that donors would give generously to the U.N. Development Program's fund, noting that about $18 million of the $36 million estimated necessary to hold upcoming elections has already been raised. The brief meeting ended with a statement from Guinea's Ambassador to Nigeria, Cheik Abdul Camara, who reiterated CNDD members' claims that they would not stand for election; Chambas did not give assembled diplomats a chance to ask clarifying questions. ¶3. (U) This cable was coordinated with Consulate Lagos. SANDERS