Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CONAKRY459
2009-08-07 13:26:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:
DADIS MEDDLES IN THE GUINEAN BAR ASSOCIATION'S
how-toVZCZCXRO7486 PP RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHRY #0459 2191326 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 071326Z AUG 09 FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3903 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
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
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
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