Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ABUJA708
2009-04-24 11:22:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:
NIGERIA: THE LATEST ON GUINEA-CONAKRY FROM ECOWAS'
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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
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
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