G-8 SET TO PRESS ICG-G FOR CONTINUED HARD LINE IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L CONAKRY 000409 SIPDIS C O R R E C T E D COPY - ADDING CLASS REASON E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/15/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM GV SUBJECT: G-8 SET TO PRESS ICG-G FOR CONTINUED HARD LINE IN GUINEA REF: CONAKRY 379 Classified By: Charge D'Affaires Kent C. Brokenshire, reason 1.5 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) In advance of the June 18-19 meeting of the International Contact for Guinea (ICG-G),Conakry-based representatives of G-8 countries agreed to continue pushing the ICG-G to stand firm on timely elections. In a meeting at the Japanese Ambassador's residence June 13, the G-8 group, comprised of COMs from the U.S., UK, Russia, EU, Japan, as well as Spain, the World Bank and ECOWAS agreed that only a tough line from the ICG-G would keep the elections on the agenda of the military junta. ¶2. (C) As the members of the Conakry G-8 group will also participate in the ICG-G, the resolve reached at the June 13 meeting will carry considerable sway when the ICG-G delivers its final message to junta leader Mousssa Dadis Camara and the ruling CNDD. ¶3. (C) In addition, the G-8 will use its influence within the ICG-G to include the following main points in its final communiqu: -- The CNDD needs to demonstrate greater political will for elections. -- Alleged border tensions with neighboring countries detailed in a recent GoG communiqu are unsubstantiated and should not cause a delay in elections. -- Likewise, the CNDD's stated drive to deliver electricity and water to the Guinean population should not interfere with the election timeline. ¶4. (C) The G-8 also expressed its determination to issue a public communiqu following the ICG-G meeting in order to make clear to the military government and the population of Guinea its deep concerns over election progress in Guinea. The group's hardened stance follows months of frustration over the perceived soft-pedaling of its concerns by ICG-G co-chairs Mohamed Ibn Chambas and Ibrahima Fall in their meetings with Dadis. BROKENSHIRE