CNDD LEADER'S ERRATIC BEHAVIOR SUGGESTS SUBSTANCE

S E C R E T CONAKRY 000135 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/01/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL SNAR ASEC GV SUBJECT: CNDD LEADER'S ERRATIC BEHAVIOR SUGGESTS SUBSTANCE ABUSE REF: CONAKRY 120 Classified By: POLOFF S. SMITH FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (S) SUMMARY. Sensitive reporting indicates that military junta leader, Moussa Dadis Camara, is drinking heavily and may be abusing drugs. Dadis' recently exhibited erratic behavior and sudden outbursts during recent meetings with the International Contact Group on Guinea suggest that he may be using a stimulant drug, possibly cocaine or ephedrine. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (S) Post has received multiple reports from various sources that Moussa Dadis Camara, President of the National Council for Democracy and Development (CNDD),is drinking heavily and possibly abusing cocaine or ephedrine. Dadis Camara has recently displayed erratic behavior indicative of stimulant drug use. Some sensitive sources report that Dadis is likely using cocaine, while others report that he is abusing ephedrine pills. British and Spanish counterparts report similar information. -------------- BACKGROUND NOTE -------------- ¶3. (U) Users of cocaine reportedly often exhibit symptoms of hyper-alertness, extreme talkativeness, fast speech, runny nose, and a false sense of power and grandeur. The concurrent use of cocaine and alcohol produces a new compound, cocaethylene, which contributes to more severe or longer lasting toxic effects of cocaine. Ephedrine's potential side effects include restlessness, insomnia, profuse sweating, and confusion. The abuse of either drug can cause anxiety, irritability, paranoia, and psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations. -------------- -------------- DADIS APPEARS TO DISPLAY SYMPTOMS OF STIMULANT DRUG USE -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) During the inaugural meeting of the International Contact Group on Guinea (ICG-G),Charge noted that Dadis' behavior seemed confrontational and unpredictable. In between scheduled speakers, Dadis frequently came to the microphone to make rambling and often incoherent comments. Noting that he "will die of patriotism," Dadis referred to himself as pragmatic and honest and proclaimed that everything he does is for the people of Guinea. At one point, Dadis abruptly left the stage, causing the speaker to stop and await his return. Ten minutes later, Dadis came back wearing sunglasses. Charge also observed that a Red Beret stood closely behind Dadis with a box of tissues throughout the event. ¶5. (C) During a later meeting with ICG-G representatives, Dadis became enraged over a comment made by the President of ECOWAS (reftel). The sudden outburst was apparently due to his belief that he was not being shown the respect that should be accorded a head of state. ¶6. (C) Embassy contacts have also observed that Dadis maintains erratic hours. Sources report that Dadis remains awake late into the night and often forces cabinet members to stay up with him. He then reportedly sleeps during the day and is either very late to scheduled meetings or does not arrive at all. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶6. (S) Dadis' inappropriate behavior-- wearing sunglasses, excessive tardiness, and sudden outbursts-- indicate that he may be under the influence of drugs. Further, his excitability, irritability, and grandiosity are highly suggestive of stimulant use. Even if he is not abusing narcotics, his erratic behavior is unbefitting of a head of state and is cause for concern. If Dadis is using stimulants, his behavior is in direct contradiction with the strong public actions he has taken against drug trafficking. RASPOLIC