A SLAP ON THE HAND AND A PAYMENT PLAN FOR ARRESTED

UNCLAS CONAKRY 000202

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM ASEC GV
SUBJECT: A SLAP ON THE HAND AND A PAYMENT PLAN FOR ARRESTED
EX-MINISTERS


1. (U) Three of the four former Ministers of Mines, Ousman
Sylla, Louceny Nabe, and former Prime Minister Ahmed Tidaine
Souare, who had been arrested for alleged mismanagement of
government money from the Mining Fund, were released April
1st. Former Minister of Mines Ahmed Kante, who steadfastly
denies any wrongdoing, remains in custody. The former
ministers were detained on March 23 and held until their
release in PM3, a military detention center reserved for
those accused of high profile or political crimes. Sylla,
Nabe and Souare were conditionally released following payment
of a lump sum to the government and agreement on a repayment
schedule for the remaining missing funds.



2. (U) CNDD President Moussa Dadis Camara and the Office for
the Control of Economic and Financial Crimes reportedly
conducted the fraud investigation at Camp Alpha Yaya March
6-7. On national television, Sylla, Nabe and Souare all
initially denied any wrongdoing, claiming that the missing
funds had been turned over to President Conte or provided to
the Ministry of Mines to purchase vehicles and cover
operating expenses, but they were unable to produce evidence
of Conte's possession of the money.


3. (U) According to press reports, the three former
ministers met again with Dadis on March 31 in the company of
the Minister of Justice and members of the Audit Committee.
The Minister of Justice reportedly informed Dadis that the
former ministers were very cooperative with the investigation
and had confessed their crimes. Souare said only that he
would "take responsibility" for the embezzlement. On
national radio Dadis called their admission of guilt a
"courageous and patriotic act." Dadis told them to return
home and that he was at their disposition. The Minister of
Justice also stated that Kante had not shown the same good
will, had not paid anything, and refused to recognize that he
owes the state money. (Comment. Ironically, earlier in the
month during the televised mine forum on March 19, Dadis
openly praised Kante for his patriotism and honesty and
defended him from accusations by the Minister of State
Control who accused Kante of embezzlement. End Comment.)


4. (U) Embassy sources indicate that Souare is charged with
embezzling 12 billion Guinean francs (USD $2,500,000). Before
his release, he made a payment of 500,000,000 Guinean francs
(USD $103,000) and agreed to pay the remaining amount in
quarterly installments. Louceny Nabe and Ousmane Sylla both
paid 200,000,000 Guinean francs (USD $41,000),agreed to
quarterly installments, and offered land and a home as
collateral.

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COMMENT
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5. (SBU) The arrests of these senior government officials,
particularly Souare, captivated the nation as did their
appearance on the late night "Dadis Show" where they were
questioned by the CNDD president. Their release underscores
the arbitrary nature of Dadis' justice system. There has
been no mention of a trial for the former ministers;
repayment of the stolen funds and assertion of power by Dadis
appear to have satisfied the CNDD, at least in the near term.
Furthermore, admissions of guilt and commitments to repay
money earn praise and commendations of patriotism rather than
condemnations for corrupt practices. At the same time,
refusals to "confess" and pay up apparently mean that accused
officials, such as Kante, remain in prison indefinitely and
may ultimately face trial. END COMMENT.
RASPOLIC