FOREIGN MINISTRY RESPONDS TO CONCERNS ABOUT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000583

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV ASEC GV
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTRY RESPONDS TO CONCERNS ABOUT
DIPLOMATIC SECURITY


1. (SBU) SUMMARY. In response to diplomats' growing
concerns about the security situation in Conakry, the
Minister of Foreign Affairs organized a meeting on September

18. He outlined a number of actions the GoG plans to take to
address these concerns, but the audience seemed largely
unconvinced. In addition to concern for the personal safety
of their diplomats, Ambassadors also expressed concern for
the safety of their countries' citizens. END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) The Guinean Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alexandre
Cece Loua, convoked members of the diplomatic corps to a
meeting on September 18 to discuss growing security concerns.
The Moroccan Ambassador, as the dean of the dip corp, had
formally expressed the community's concerns after a series of
security incidents, which included an attack on the Ghanaian
Ambassador (reftel). A/DCM represented the USG at the
meeting.


3. (SBU) In his opening remarks, Minister Loua condemned the
threatening activities and assured the dip corp that the
Guinean Government is taking the matter seriously.
Accompanied by senior colleagues from the Ministries of
Security and High Crimes and Banditry, Minister Loua outlined
the following measures to be undertaken by the GoG:
- the revitalization of the anti-crime brigade assigned for
diplomatic security
- the establishment of a emergency "hotline" to be used by
members of the dip corp to contact police officials directly
- the organization of an information campaign, to include
the use of local media, targeting military and
"para-military" forces in the capital regarding diplomatic
privileges and immunities
- arrests and prosecutions of perpetrators of crimes against
members of the diplomatic community
- the immediate dismissal of any military personnel found to
be involved in crimes against the diplomatic community


4. (SBU) The diplomatic corps generally expressed
appreciation for the Minister's efforts, but emphasized that
they are looking for results. The French Ambassador pointed
out that the emergency hotline was already in existence, but
rarely functioned while the anti-crime brigade lacked the
equipment and resources needed to respond effectively. The
Director of the Police acknowledged these criticisms, but
said that the phone line will be fully operational and the
anti-crime brigade fully equipped. However, Minister Loua
intervened and admitted that the brigade is short two
vehicles, which he used as a platform to ask the diplomatic
community to assist with filling this gap.


5. (SBU) Several diplomats (including the Ambassadors of
China, South Africa, Japan, and Senegal) emphasized that the
GoG should be focused not only on security for diplomats, but
also security for foreigners in general, as well as Guinean
citizens. Using highly diplomatic but pointed language, the
South African Ambassador told the Minister that the state has
a responsibility to protect its citizens, and that this task
becomes particularly problematic when the state itself is
implicated in criminal activities. "No organ of the state
should be superior to another, nor to the people," he stated.
Using roadblocks as an example, the Ambassador added that
the police should have total autonomy over law enforcement
issues. "The military's job is to protect citizens from
invasion...not engaging in anti-crime initiatives," he said.


6. (SBU) The Senegalese Ambassador stated that Senegalese
citizens are being specifically targeted as retaliation for
seemingly pro-Dadis comments made by Senegalese President
Wade a few weeks ago, which she claimed were misunderstood.
"There are 10,000 Senegalese in Guinea and 3,000 Guineans in
Senegal...if our citizens are not protected here, I cannot
guarantee what will happen on our side," she said.


7. (SBU) One of the last speakers to stand up was the
Malaysian Ambassador, who was visibly emotional. He relayed
how a group of soldiers accompanied by a number of civilians
had recently broken into his private residence. They broke
through the entry gate and then demanded that they be allowed
to search the premises. When the Ambassador explained his
diplomatic status, the soldiers reportedly told him "you are
not in Malaysia, you are in Guinea and all these houses
belong to Guineans." They then forced their way into the
residence, breaking some personal items and vandalizing the
walls by painting them.


8. (SBU) Minister Loua essentially listened to the
complaints and concerns, but offered little substantive
response. With respect to the incident at the Malaysian

CONAKRY 00000583 002 OF 002


Ambassador's residence, he commented only "we have received
your complaint and regret that it happened, but you have to
understand that these people are not educated...they do not
know what an Ambassador is and these are the kinds of
challenges we are dealing with.8

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COMMENT
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9. (SBU) Although the Minister seemed to be making an effort
to address security concerns, the assembled diplomats did not
look convinced. As A/DCM got up to leave, the British
Ambassador whispered tongue in cheek "well now, don't we all
feel safer?" Diplomatic security was clearly a concern, but
Ambassadors were equally concerned about the security of
their citizens, an issue to which the Minister did not at all
speak. END COMMENT.

BROKENSHIRE