FORMER SECURITY MINISTER DISCUSSES RECENT MEETING

C O N F I D E N T I A L CONAKRY 000274 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/15/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC GV SUBJECT: FORMER SECURITY MINISTER DISCUSSES RECENT MEETING WITH DADIS REF: 08 CONAKRY 0628 Classified By: POL/ECON CHIEF SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. During a meeting with RSO LES, a former Minister of Security claimed that Dadis wants to develop a strategy to convince the National Independent Electoral Commissions to delay elections for at least one year. In addition, Dadis reportedly said that he does not trust the members of his inner-circle. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) RSO LES recently met informally with a former Minister of Security, Elhadj Madifing Diane, who was appointed to the post in October 2008 and then dismissed a few months later by the military junta. Diane is a career police officer with more than 40 years of experience. Shortly after his October appointment, Diane appeared unannounced at the Embassy to discuss his plans to tackle Guinea's drug trafficking problem (reftel). He made a favorable impression at the time. LES has had a personal relationship with the Minister for years and as such, is often privy to information that Diane might not otherwise be willing to disclose. ¶3. (C) Diane mentioned that CNDD President Moussa Dadis Camara had recently invited him to meet with Dadis at Camp Alpha Yaya. During the meeting, which lasted several hours, Dadis reportedly requested Diane's assistance in dealing with the political scene. Dadis said he wants Diane to develop a strategy to convince the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) to postpone the elections, which are currently scheduled for the end of 2009. Dadis reportedly wants to postpone elections to the end of 2010 or the beginning of 2011. ¶4. (C) According to Diane, Dadis was also seeking advice because he feels he no longer maintains adequate control over the military and does not know how to proceed. Dadis reportedly mentioned that he does not trust most of the people in his inner-circle of advisors and believes that they are trying to get rid of him. He requested Diane's assistance in solving these problems. ¶5. (C) Diane said he told Dadis that he will think about helping him since Dadis' request is very difficult and potentially dangerous. Diane told Dadis that he would go to Dubreka for a few days to think about it, and then meet with Dadis again over the weekend. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶6. (C) During his discussion with RSO LES, Diane requested a meeting with Embassy officers to further discuss the situation, which Embassy is scheduling. In the meantime, Diane's comments support a growing body of evidence that points both to Dadis' increasing anxiety over his hold on power, as well as a lack of interest in pursuing elections by the end of the year. END COMMENT. RASPOLIC