GUINEA POST-COUP: A POLITICAL ROUNDUP FOR 18

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000146

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM SNAR ELAB GV
SUBJECT: GUINEA POST-COUP: A POLITICAL ROUNDUP FOR 18
FEBRUARY TO 5 MARCH

REF: CONAKRY 0131


1. (SBU) SUMMARY. Politics in Guinea continue to be fluid
since the coup d'etat on 23 December 2008. Given these
circumstances, Post will periodically transmit roundups of
significant political and economic events not covered in
other reporting. This roundup covers the period between 18
February and 5 March, and includes plans for Dadis'
inauguration ceremony, an illegal search of a labor union
leader's private residence, creation of a National Audits
Commission, and calls for the creation of a national
commercial airline. END SUMMARY.

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INAUGURATION PLANS
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2. (SBU) In late February, the CNDD formally established a
committee to organize Moussa Dadis Camara's presidential
inauguration ceremony. According to sources, the committee
is tasked with organizing cultural and sporting activities to
celebrate the event. In addition, the committee will handle
protocol, security, reception of foreign dignitaries, and
media coverage. A date for the ceremony has not been
announced. Some contacts are questioning why Dadis needs a
formal ceremony if he does not plan to stay in office. On
March 3, the CNDD announced over national television that
people had been going around to collect financial donations
from individuals and companies for the ceremony. A CNDD
spokesperson said that no such collection had been authorized
and promised to provide a national "hotline" phone number
that citizens could call to report such activities.

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OUSMANE CONTE ALIVE AND WELL
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3. (U) Beginning February 28, rumors that Ousmane Conte,
drug kingpin and son of the late President Conte, had died
after being picked up by the CNDD on narcotics charges were
circulating widely throughout the capital. On March 3,
Ousmane himself announced over national radio that he was
alive and well. He advised the public to stop spreading
rumors and lies.

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REASSURING THE TROOPS
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4. (SBU) The week of March 2, CNDD member and Minister of
Defense, General Sekouba Konate, reportedly conducted a tour
of Conakry's military garrisons in order to talk to the
troops and assure them of the CNDD's commitment to improve
their general living conditions. Konate urged the troops to
respect military discipline and hierarchy.

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SEARCH AT UNION LEADER'S RESIDENCE
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5. (SBU) While union leader Hadja Rabiatou Diallo was out of
town, an official from the Office for Anti-Narcotics and High
Crimes, accompanied by several men in military uniform,
searched her private residence in Conakry on March 3.
Rabiatou told Pol LES that the officials did not have a
search warrant, but told her housekeeper that they were going
to search the premises for narcotics. According to Rabiatou,
the search was precipitated by the negative reaction of some
members of the CNDD to her strong public stance against
narcotics, and because of her role as a prominent member of
Les Forces Vives. She told Pol LES that the CNDD was trying
to intimidate her. (COMMENT. Sensitive sources indicate
that Rabiatou may be under investigation because she bought a
house in Europe. END COMMENT).

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NATIONAL AUDITS
--------------


6. (U) On March 3, Dadis formally created a National Audit
Commission, composed of three unidentified officials. The
Commission is reportedly responsible for defining how the
audits will be conducted, reviewing financial records,
consulting with independent audit firms, and conducting
unannounced visits to government offices. The Commission
will get to keep 10% of the debts it collects from
individuals and companies.


CONAKRY 00000146 002 OF 002


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A NATIONAL AIRLINE
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7. (U) During a ministerial cabinet meeting on March 4, the
Government of Guinea authorized the Minister of Transport to
create a national airline company. The Minister reportedly
argued that there is no reason for Guinea not to have a
commercial airline since it possesses the necessary
infrastructure. The Ministry anticipates putting out a call
for bids.

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LOWERING PRICES
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8. (U) Effective March 4, the Guinean Butchers' Association
agreed to reduce the price of beef from 16,000 GnF ($3.48) to
14,000 GnF ($3.04) per kilo. The decision was reportedly
reached after the Association met with the Secretary General
of the Ministry of Commerce. A contact told Econ LES that
the CNDD had asked the Association to reduce the price in
order to reflect reduced transportation costs. Word on the
street is that Guineans want the price pushed even lower to
10,000 GnF per kilo ($2.17).


9. (U) Also effective March 4, the Guinean Government
officially lowered the price of fuel from 4,800 GnF ($1.04)
to 4,500 GnF ($.98) per liter. The Minister of Commerce
announced that the reduction reflected the continuing decline
in world oil prices.

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NARCOTICS ARRESTS
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10. (SBU) High-profile arrests related to narcotics
trafficking continue (reftel). Sources indicate that at
least 30 people are being detained at Camp Alpha Yaya.

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COMMENT
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11. (SBU) Dadis continues to make regular public appearances
while issuing new decrees and announcements although the pace
has been somewhat slower than in previous weeks. Much of the
CNDD's focus appears to have shifted to anti-narcotics
efforts. Members of the CNDD made little to no mention of
elections or a transition timeline, but Les Force Vives met
to develop a proposal they plan to present to Dadis within
the next few weeks. END COMMENT.

RASPOLIC