DADIS MEDDLES IN THE GUINEAN BAR ASSOCIATION'S

UNCLAS CONAKRY 000459 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KDEM PREL GV SUBJECT: DADIS MEDDLES IN THE GUINEAN BAR ASSOCIATION'S AFFAIRS ¶1. (U) CNDD President Moussa Dadis Camara met with representatives of the Guinean Bar Association at Radio Television Guinean (RTG) the afternoon of August 6. The meeting was broadcast live. According to sources, Dadis called the meeting because he wanted to make sure that the Guinean Bar Association reconciled with its previous President, Boubacar Sow. ¶2. (SBU) The Bar Association fired Sow in January 2008 after he unilaterally expressed support for former President Conte's decision to fire Justin Morel Jr. from his post as the Minister of Information (NOTE - Morel is again the Minister of Information, having been appointed to the position by the CNDD. END NOTE). Sow issued a controversial declaration that lauded Conte's decision, which he signed on behalf of the entire Bar Association. Enraged, the Bar immediately dismissed him as President and suspended him from the Bar altogether. Sow responded with a law suit and the Bar went on with its business, electing a new President. ¶3. (U) During the August 6 meeting, Dadis reportedly apologized on Sow's behalf and the Bar Association agreed to lift his suspension. Minister Morel was also present and apparently forgave Sow and then hugged him. ¶4. (SBU) Before closing the meeting, Dadis announced that he was giving the Bar a bus, information that was well received by the gathered lawyers. Sources indicate that Dadis gave the current President of the Bar a brand new 4x4 vehicle two months ago. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Dadis' involvement in this affair raises a number of questions. The Bar is supposed to be an independent organization and yet the self-proclaimed President of the Republic is meddling in the organization's internal matters - over national television. Also disturbing is Dadis' casual dispensing of gifts, gifts that seem clearly designed to undermine any future opposition the Bar may have to Dadis' policies. Just a few months ago, the Bar Association stood fast against Dadis and the CNDD when its members went on strike and demanded the immediate closure of the parallel justice system being administered out of Camp Alpha Yaya. They took a hard line position and succeeded in getting Dadis to close the court, which came as a surprise to many observers. Dadis' reasons for intervening on Sow's behalf are unclear. The incident also casts doubt on the integrity of the Bar. END COMMENT. BROKENSHIRE