CNDD HIRES PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRM TO IMPROVE

C O N F I D E N T I A L CONAKRY 000145 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/06/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM ASEC GV SUBJECT: CNDD HIRES PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRM TO IMPROVE JUNTA'S IMAGE Classified By: POL/ECON CHIEF SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D ¶1. (SBU) A member of the Associated Press based in Dakar, Rukmini Callimachi, called Pol/Econ Chief on March 6 wanting to schedule a background interview for a piece on Guinea. Shortly into the conversation, she revealed that the National Council for Democracy and Development (CNDD) and its president, Moussa Dadis Camara, had recently hired an unidentified public relations firm based in New York. A bit bemused, Rukmini described how she and Dakar-based colleagues with other news agencies had all received inquiries from a publicist by the name of Portia Holt, inviting them to meet with Dadis and asking them to consider reporting on Guinea and its "war on drugs." She said that a colleague from the New York Times also planned to travel to Conakry next week. ¶2. (C) Rukmini later forwarded a copy of the email inquiry, commenting "I am here -- surprisingly -- at the invitation of the Camara government, which has decided they want Western journalists to write about their so-called "war on drugs," following the arrest of Ousmane Conte and others. Obviously, we are skeptical of their claims, but wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to have a face-to-face with Dadis." ¶3. (C) According to Rukmini, a Guinean by the name of Mamadi Diene, who works for American Express and has a foundation called "Africa Aspire," spoke to Dadis and convinced him of the value of hiring a PR firm. Rukmini told Pol Chief that Diene is apparently connected to a number of high-level African officials and is committed to showing the positive face of Africa to the American public. ¶4. (SBU) Over the phone, Rukmini commented on the irony of the situation. She said that she had traveled to Conakry shortly after the coup and had spent two days at Camp Alpha Yaya in an attempt to meet with Dadis. After several hours of frustrated waiting, she began interviewing various government officials. However, the CNDD intervened and began threatening her. Rukmini said she was eventually kicked out of the camp and was instructed to refrain from publishing any reports. "I am kind of relishing the moment now," she said, "it seems that Dadis now sees the value in talking to the press." ¶5. (C) Although skeptical about being able to paint Guinea's "war on drugs" in a positive light, Rukmini seemed eager to take advantage of the opportunity to meet with Dadis. She said that the journalists had also been promised an opportunity to interview drug kingpin Ousmane Conte, which was very attractive. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Dadis' decision to hire a U.S. based public relations firm indicates that the CNDD is interested in improving Guinea's image internationally, and particularly with the U.S. The fact that the CNDD is trying to get the press to highlight Guinea's recent anti-narcotics efforts suggests that these initiatives may have been launched in order to garner international support and favor. END COMMENT. RASPOLIC