STRONG REACTIONS TO VISITING HEADS OF STATES'

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000557

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/14/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM ASEC GV
SUBJECT: STRONG REACTIONS TO VISITING HEADS OF STATES'
MEETING WITH DADIS

Classified By: A/DCM SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D


1. (C) SUMMARY. Many Embassy contacts are infuriated over
remarks made by Senegalese President Wade during a public
meeting with Dadis on September 12. Liberian President
Sirleaf-Johnson was also present. In typical fashion, the
CNDD orchestrated a major demonstration of popular support
for Dadis, complete with crowds of women calling for him to
run for office. Wade seems to have been widely perceived as
having demonstrated support for Dadis and is expected to
actively push other ECOWAS heads of state to support Dadis'
anticipated presidential bid. END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade and Liberian
President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf met with CNDD President
Moussa Dadis Camara on September 12 in Conakry. In
anticipation of the visit, some Embassy contacts said that
the two heads of state were coming to try and convince Dadis
to refrain from running for office. Others said they were
coming as a demonstration of regional support for the
military junta. Despite torrential downpours throughout the
day, Guineans reportedly came out in droves to participate in
a public meeting with the regional heads of state. Contacts
shared widely differing views on what the meeting meant and
how it was received.

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THE WELCOME COMMITTEE
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3. (C) According to a high-level contact with the Ministry
of Security, Wade and Sirleaf-Johnson's aircraft landed at
the airport a full fifteen minutes before Dadis' motorcade
arrived to greet them. The same contact said that the
Government of Guinea had actually paid for the jet fuel to
get the two leaders here. Upon arrival, they were greeted by
hundreds of women on the tarmac calling for Dadis to run for
President. At some point during the visit, Wade and
Sirleaf-Johnson reportedly met privately with Dadis, but it
is as yet unclear as to when or whether this meeting actually
took place.

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WOMEN VOICE SUPPORT FOR DADIS
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4. (SBU) From the airport, the two leaders were escorted to
the People's Palace where hundreds of Dadis supporters,
mostly women, had gathered. Jeanne Guilavogui, an excellent
Embassy contact and young woman leader, spoke on behalf of
the gathered women. Reportedly speaking with great passion,
she stated that Dadis' candidacy in the 2010 presidential
election is necessary to safeguard peace in Guinea, and that
he should run so as to demonstrate his unquestionable
political legitimacy. She then proceeded to present Dadis
with a new boubou (traditional African robe) in case his
current garb (a military uniform) proves to be too much of an
impediment.


5. (C) When asked about her remarks, Jean Guilavogui told
Pol LES on September 14 that the Ministry of Social Affairs
had designated her as spokesperson against her will. She
claimed that she was reluctant, as a member of civil society,
to refuse to read the speech. However, the style and
demeanor of her reported delivery did not appear to be those
of someone going against personal convictions.

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REACTIONS FROM THE VIP GUESTS
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6. (U) According to internet news site Guinee24, which has
consistently demonstrated its pro-CNDD bias, President
Sirleaf-Johnson said "I see the women and I know the power of
women...As such, I am happy to be here and I have heard the
women's message and how they see the future of their
country(everywhere in the world, it is the populations that
decide the future of their countries and we must respect
popular will." Other news outlets reported elements of
President Wade's remarks, including a statement that he would
speak with the heads of state of ECOWAS and the African Union
in order to explain the reality in Guinea.


7. (C) A number of contacts took these two heads of states'
comments as blatant demonstrations of support for Dadis and
the CNDD. An opposition political contact (RPG party)
condemned Wade's statement as "deplorable," adding that Wade
is actively advising Dadis to pursue his candidacy while
planning to convince the international community to accept

CONAKRY 00000557 002 OF 002


him as such. Youth contacts viewed Wade's behavior as a
betrayal since it is clear that he has decided to offer his
support to Dadis. Former prime minister turned political
leader (FUDEC) Francois Fall emphasized that the Forces Vives
does not recognize Wade as a mediator since the International
Contact Group is already playing that role.


8. (C) Although Johnson-Sirleaf made some statements,
contacts focused their displeasure on Wade who many contacts
see as meddling in Guinean affairs in order to advance his
own interests. Some speculated that Wade's motivations are
primarily economic. Contacts claimed that Wade may be
looking to "work" the situation to the advantage of
Senegalese business interests, including those of his son,
Karim Wade. Other contacts said that Wade's motivations are
more political and that he is looking to broker a deal in
Guinea as he did in Mauritania.

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SUCCESS VERSUS FAILURE
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9. (C) Contacts also disagree on whether the visit was a
success or a serious blunder, largely depending upon whether
they find themselves in the pro-Dadis or anti-Dadis camps.
Interestingly, the high-level contact at the Ministry of
Security suggested that the visit was a disaster, beginning
with Dadis' failure to receive his guests at the airport upon
arrival. Later, the heads of state were supposed to have
lunch together, but were instead escorted directly to the
airport, which was seen as a major breach in protocol.

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COMMENT
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10. (C) In recent weeks, a number of Embassy contacts have
argued that President Wade has his own agenda in Guinea, and
that it is inconsistent with that of the ICG and ECOWAS.
When he first seized power, Dadis reportedly held the Malian
President, Toure, in high regard and viewed him as a role
model. However, over the past few months, Dadis seems to be
less and less enamored with Toure, and more and more inclined
to express his high regards for Wade, who he has repeatedly
said he sees as a father figure. During a press statement on
September 9, Dadis also referred to an unspecified cash
contribution from Wade.


11. (C) During the last ICG meeting, ECOWAS Representative
Chambas maintained a strong position and was clearly
frustrated with the results of the meeting. It remains to be
seen whether Wade's position is divergent with that of ECOWAS
or whether he is simply signaling where ECOWAS might go in
the weeks and months ahead. Guinea's neighbors may be
worried about a possible conflict in Guinea wreaking havoc in
the region, and as such, may be starting to think about
taking a more cautious position. END COMMENT.
BROKENSHIRE