BURKINABE PRESIDENT VISITS GUINEA

UNCLAS CONAKRY 000227 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV ASEC GV SUBJECT: BURKINABE PRESIDENT VISITS GUINEA ¶1. (SBU) Burkinabe President Blaise Campaore flew into Conakry on April 21 for a brief visit with CNDD President Moussa Dadis Camara. Members of the diplomatic corps were encouraged to send representation to the airport to receive President Campaore. Embassy did not, however, send anyone so as to avoid demonstrating support for the CNDD. Press reports indicate that Dadis met Campaore at the airport and then took him on a tour of the city before meeting with him in a state residence originally occupied by former President Sekou Toure. (COMMENT. Since Toure's death, the residence has been used for official ceremonies and other business. It is not occupied. END COMMENT). ¶2. (U) In a town where elaborate rumors spread like wildfire, contacts are sharing surprisingly little information about what Campaore and Dadis might have discussed. The official report, aired on government-owned television, is that the two leaders discussed bilateral cooperation, the Ivoirian situation, and the need to create a Palestinian state. They also reportedly commended ECOWAS and the African Union for their conflict resolution efforts in the region. Other press reports indicate that Campaore encouraged Dadis to restore constitutional rule in Guinea. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The lack of information has people speculating about the "real reasons" behind the visit. A number of contacts told Pol/Econ Chief that they think Campaore may have had an ulterior motive, but that they are not sure what it might have been. They see the visit as highly unusual given Guinea's current political climate and Campaore's historically distant relationship with the late President Conte. Campaore is the fifth African leader to visit Dadis (after Libya, Senegal, Mali and the late President Vieira of Guinea-Bissau). END COMMENT. RASPOLIC