DADIS ESTABLISHES NATIONAL TRANSITION COUNCIL

UNCLAS CONAKRY 000475 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM PHUM ASEC GV SUBJECT: DADIS ESTABLISHES NATIONAL TRANSITION COUNCIL REF: CONAKRY 00447 ¶1. (U) On August 13, the long awaited presidential decree formally establishing the National Transition Council (CNT) was signed by CNDD President Moussa Dadis Camara. The final membership of the committee has now ballooned to 240 with specific groups ranging from political parties, armed forces and security, to artisans, the media, and disabled citizens. Individual groups must now designate and present their candidates for the committee which is tasked to complete its revision of the Constitution and electoral laws in thirty days (Reftel). ¶2. (SBU) Political parties were assigned the largest representation with 35 members; however, with over 85 political parties now in existence, the selection of these 35 politicians may be a thorny task as a seat on the CNT would provide national exposure and an opportunity for increased influence in the lead up to the elections. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The projected size of the CNT is now more than double the size of Guinea's abandoned National Assembly. The members of this unwieldy group must now be designated by their groups, a process which may pose additional delays. Ironically, the "democratic" composition and inclusive nature of the CNT may be its downfall. It may be difficult for this huge group to come to agreement on contentious issues by the deadline. END COMMENT. BROKENSHIRE