Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CONAKRY268
2009-05-14 12:43:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:  

CNDD REPORTEDLY SEALS $13 MILLION HELICOPTER DEAL

Tags:  PGOV PMIL PREL ASEC GV 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO4305
PP RUEHPA
DE RUEHRY #0268 1341243
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 141243Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3671
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
C O N F I D E N T I A L CONAKRY 000268 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/14/2019
TAGS: PGOV PMIL PREL ASEC GV
SUBJECT: CNDD REPORTEDLY SEALS $13 MILLION HELICOPTER DEAL

Classified By: POL/ECON CHIEF SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D

C O N F I D E N T I A L CONAKRY 000268

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/14/2019
TAGS: PGOV PMIL PREL ASEC GV
SUBJECT: CNDD REPORTEDLY SEALS $13 MILLION HELICOPTER DEAL

Classified By: POL/ECON CHIEF SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D


1. (SBU) According to Embassy sources, Guinea's ruling
military junta signed a deal with a British company based in
both the UK and Ireland for the purchase of an Italian made
presidential helicopter. The deal was reportedly brokered by
a Belgian and a Lebanese arms importer in Guinea. Embassy is
still verifying the information and the details of the sale.
The reported purchase price is $13 million although the
internet list price for this particular aircraft is $10
million. It is unclear whether the CNDD is expected to pay
the total purchase price at once or in installments. Sources
also indicate that the CNDD is negotiating a $3 million deal
with another British company (based in France) to upgrade the
country's two existing military helicopters, and to provide
future maintenance on the fleet.


2. (C) Contacts speculate that the deal is being pushed by
the Minister of Defense, Sekouba Konate, who is expected to
personally benefit from the purchase. He has reportedly been
orchestrating the deal in collaboration with Guinea's
Ambassador to the UK and Konate's son (who lives in the UK
with the Guinean Ambassador). With a $3 million difference
between the list price and the sale price, contacts speculate
that a number of people plan to pocket considerable sums of
money.

--------------
COMMENT
--------------


3. (C) There have been rumors of a pending helicopter
purchase for months. The $13 million price tag is
particularly sensitive since the GoG has committed to
contribute $9 million to elections, but has yet to deliver.
Similarly, the National Independent Electoral Commission
(CENI) told the International Contact group that they were
short about $15 million to complete the voter registration
process. If the purchase is confirmed, it indicates that the
CNDD is able to find funds for its own priorities, but
expects the international community to pay for others,
especially elections. Furthermore, it is not the first time
that military spending has trumped other budgetary needs
since the coup. The CNDD has been criticized in the press
for awarding a 150 billion GNF (more than $3 million)
contract to a local company for a renovation project at Camp
Boiro. The contract was not competed and is rumored to have
been pushed by Konate who may have personally benefited from
the deal.


4. (SBU) Embassy will report further details as they become
available. If the sale is confirmed, we will be looking at
how the USG should respond. END COMMENT.
RASPOLIC