Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BANJUL96
2009-03-30 16:31:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Banjul
Cable title:  

AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH GUINEA-BISSAU

Tags:  AMGT PGOV PINR PREL SNAR 
pdf how-to read a cable
R 301631Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY BANJUL
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8593
INFO ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
AMEMBASSY DAKAR
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANJUL 000096 


E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/26/2019
TAGS: AMGT PGOV PINR PREL SNAR
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH GUINEA-BISSAU
AMBASSADOR TO THE GAMBIA AS BISSAUAN CHIEF OF
DEFENSE VISITS

Classified By: Ambassador Barry L. Wells for reasons
1.4 (a) (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANJUL 000096


E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/26/2019
TAGS: AMGT PGOV PINR PREL SNAR
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH GUINEA-BISSAU
AMBASSADOR TO THE GAMBIA AS BISSAUAN CHIEF OF
DEFENSE VISITS

Classified By: Ambassador Barry L. Wells for reasons
1.4 (a) (d)


1. (C) Summary: Ambassador called on Guinea-Bissau
Ambassador to the Gambia Munira Ribeiro following
assassination of the President and Military Chief of
Staff in Bissau. Ambassador Ribeiro expressed little
hope for a quick resolution to the current crisis in
Guinea-Bissau. Meanwhile, Embassy sources report
that Guinea-Bissau Chief of Defense Staff Induta is
visiting The Gambia.


In the Mood for Misery
--------------


2. (C) Ambassador Wells called on Ambassador
Ribeiro to express condolences to her and her
country following the assassinations of the
President and military chief of staff. Usually
upbeat and postive, Ambassador Ribeiro was visibly
distraught and tense throughout the brief meeting.
She commented that her health was affected and that
her blood pressure was quite high requiring
medication. She apologized for not honoring an
invitation to a cultural event at the EMR, saying
she was in "no mood for music". She lamented that
drugs "have ruined my country and everybody is
involved". She expressed appreciation for US
continuing efforts to combat drug trafficking in the
region, but was pessimistic about solving the
problem in Guinea-Bissau in the near term.


The Gambian Connection: Old Players - New Game
--------------


3. (C) Ribeiro expressed concern that Former Chief
of Navy Staff Na'Tchuto, currently in The Gambia
under "house arrest" would be allowed to return to
Guinea-Bissau as he was deeply involved in the drug
trade. (Comment: Na'Tchuto who was also allegedly
involved in the aborted coup attempt in Bissau in
November, 2008 is being kept under close
surveillance by Gambian authorities. President
Jammeh commented to US Ambassador that he was asked
to "keep" Na'Tchuto and would not release him except
to another ECOWAS country).


4. (SBU) LES contact reports that the Chief of
Defense Staff from Guinea-Bissau arrived in The
Gambia on 3/26. He was met by his Gambian
counterpart Brig. Gen. Tamba, Inspector General of
Police Ensa Badjie and Director General of the
Gambian Immigration Service, Sacko Drammeh.
Presence of Drammeh at the meeting raises the
possibility of discussions on the status of
Na?Tchuto, as well as that of former president of
Guinea-Bissau, Kumba Yalla, whose presence in The
Gambia was also recently confirmed.


COMMENT
--------------

5. (C) Ambassador Ribeiro's distress confirms
other assessments of the current situation in
Guinea-Bissau. Visit by the Guinea-Bissau military
and presence of other dubious players bears
watching as the possibility of shifting the drug
marketplace looms large. Jammeh on the other hand,
may be reaching out to Guinea-Bissau to strengthen
his hand as a lead player in sub-regional politics.

WELLS