Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CONAKRY218
2009-04-21 16:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:
NEWS ROUND-UP: FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS,
how-toVZCZCXRO5308 PP RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHRY #0218 1111649 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 211649Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3615 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
UNCLAS CONAKRY 000218
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM PHUM ASEC GV
SUBJECT: NEWS ROUND-UP: FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS,
PIVI'S PROMOTION, AND READYING THE PALACE
UNCLAS CONAKRY 000218
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM PHUM ASEC GV
SUBJECT: NEWS ROUND-UP: FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS,
PIVI'S PROMOTION, AND READYING THE PALACE
1. (U) SUMMARY. Over the course of the weekend, the CNDD
banned all foreign currency transactions, promoted the
controversial Claude Pivi to the rank of Captain, and began
cleaning the Presidential Palace in preparation for the
arrival of its anticipated occupant, CNDD President Moussa
Dadis Camara. This information was reported in local media.
END SUMMARY.
2. (U) The CNDD declared on April 18 that foreign currency
transactions, and specifically transactions in USD or Euros,
are now illegal in Guinea. Within the written decree, the
CNDD underscored the sovereignty of the Guinean franc as the
national currency. The CNDD listed the following
transactions as examples of illegal activities: real estate
purchases and rentals, payment of hotel bills, airline ticket
sales, and salary payments. The CNDD further declared that
all Guineans and foreigners caught engaging in such
transactions will face prosecution and "severe sanctions."
Pol/Econ Chief raised the issue during a meeting with the
Secretary General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on April
20. He was completely unaware of the announcement, but
promised to look into it. Embassy is reviewing its existing
contracts and purchasing procedures in order to determine
where issues may arise.
3. (U) Claude Pivi, the controversial leader of the May 2008
military mutiny and now the Minister of Presidential
Security, was promoted to the rank of Captain over the
weekend. His rank is now equal to that of CNDD President
Moussa Dadis Camara. Press reports indicate that Pivi was
promoted in recognition of his strong performance as minister.
4. (U) Following a public invitation from the residents of
Kaloum on April 16 for Dadis to move into the Presidential
Palace, press reports indicate that Conakry Governor Mohammad
Diop has launched a campaign to clean the palace. He
reportedly hired a team of women and armed them with brooms,
mops, and soap. Shortly after seizing power on December 23,
Dadis announced that he would not move into the palace
because he did not want to even "begin to taste the trappings
of power." Last week's invitation, followed by the cleaning
campaign over the weekend, suggest that Dadis has changed his
mind.
RASPOLIC
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM PHUM ASEC GV
SUBJECT: NEWS ROUND-UP: FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS,
PIVI'S PROMOTION, AND READYING THE PALACE
1. (U) SUMMARY. Over the course of the weekend, the CNDD
banned all foreign currency transactions, promoted the
controversial Claude Pivi to the rank of Captain, and began
cleaning the Presidential Palace in preparation for the
arrival of its anticipated occupant, CNDD President Moussa
Dadis Camara. This information was reported in local media.
END SUMMARY.
2. (U) The CNDD declared on April 18 that foreign currency
transactions, and specifically transactions in USD or Euros,
are now illegal in Guinea. Within the written decree, the
CNDD underscored the sovereignty of the Guinean franc as the
national currency. The CNDD listed the following
transactions as examples of illegal activities: real estate
purchases and rentals, payment of hotel bills, airline ticket
sales, and salary payments. The CNDD further declared that
all Guineans and foreigners caught engaging in such
transactions will face prosecution and "severe sanctions."
Pol/Econ Chief raised the issue during a meeting with the
Secretary General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on April
20. He was completely unaware of the announcement, but
promised to look into it. Embassy is reviewing its existing
contracts and purchasing procedures in order to determine
where issues may arise.
3. (U) Claude Pivi, the controversial leader of the May 2008
military mutiny and now the Minister of Presidential
Security, was promoted to the rank of Captain over the
weekend. His rank is now equal to that of CNDD President
Moussa Dadis Camara. Press reports indicate that Pivi was
promoted in recognition of his strong performance as minister.
4. (U) Following a public invitation from the residents of
Kaloum on April 16 for Dadis to move into the Presidential
Palace, press reports indicate that Conakry Governor Mohammad
Diop has launched a campaign to clean the palace. He
reportedly hired a team of women and armed them with brooms,
mops, and soap. Shortly after seizing power on December 23,
Dadis announced that he would not move into the palace
because he did not want to even "begin to taste the trappings
of power." Last week's invitation, followed by the cleaning
campaign over the weekend, suggest that Dadis has changed his
mind.
RASPOLIC