Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CONAKRY135
2009-03-02 16:41:00
SECRET
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:  

CNDD LEADER'S ERRATIC BEHAVIOR SUGGESTS SUBSTANCE

Tags:  PGOV PREL SNAR ASEC GV 
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VZCZCXRO7035
RR RUEHPA
DE RUEHRY #0135 0611641
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
R 021641Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3503
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RUEAWJA/DOJ WASHDC
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)

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