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).


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COMMENT
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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