DCM MEETS WITH MINISTER OF ECONOMIC CONTROL

UNCLAS CONAKRY 000238 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON ASEC GV SUBJECT: DCM MEETS WITH MINISTER OF ECONOMIC CONTROL ¶1. (U) In response to an invitation from the Minister of Economic Control, Al-Hassan Onipogui, DCM Kent Brokenshire met with the Minister on April 28. Accompanied by Pol/Econ Chief, the DCM was courteously received by a senior ministry official and then escorted immediately in to see the Minister who was surrounded by about a dozen of his top advisors as well as Radio Television Guinean (RTG) reporters. The entire meeting was filmed. ¶2. (U) The Minister essentially exchanged pleasantries and then roughly explained his ministry's role. He described how CNDD President Moussa Dadis Camara had decided to tighten presidential control over government resources, and had therefore, moved the Ministry of Economic Control directly under the presidency (as opposed to reporting to the prime minister). Among his many responsibilities, the Minister said he oversees government expenditures, the government contracting process, and undefined aspects of the ongoing national audits. He promised to send a copy of a work in progress that details the ministry's operations, once the document is completed. ¶3. (U) Several times during the discussion, the Minister mentioned his interest in collaborating closely with the U.S. Government. DCM emphasized the USG's policy position and explained that collaboration will be limited until Guinea holds elections. ¶4. (U) Pol/Econ Chief raised a question about a recent GoG contract that has been widely criticized by the local press for a lack of transparency in the contracting process. A contract reportedly valued at 150 billion GnF (more than $300,000) for the renovation of Camp Boiro was awarded to GuicoPres without official competition. The Minister said the press perhaps did not have all the details and may not have understood the situation correctly. He then explained that certain matters of security, such as arms procurement or work on military installations, require some degree of discretion. (COMMENT. Camp Boiro is one of Conakry's three main military camps and is historically significant as the place where tens of thousands of Guineans are believed to have died under Sekou Toure. END COMMENT). -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶5. (SBU) The Minister was professional and exceedingly courteous throughout the meeting. He personally walked the DCM out of the building and then waited with him until his vehicle arrived, which is generally outside of standard protocol. During the meeting, the conversation flow was a bit stilted since it was not clear what the Minister wanted. Embassy's speculation is that the Minister planned to hand over the document detailing his ministry's operations, for which he could then perhaps make a plea for assistance, but that the document was unexpectedly not ready for distribution. The meeting may have also been related to the fact that the very next day, the Minister submitted an application for a visa, which is currently being considered by the Consular Section. END COMMENT. RASPOLIC