Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CONAKRY594
2009-09-28 15:20:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:
MILITARY FIRES ON DEMONSTRATORS DURING LARGE
how-toVZCZCXRO6010 OO RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHRY #0594 2711520 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 281520Z SEP 09 FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4088 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
UNCLAS CONAKRY 000594
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM ASEC GV
SUBJECT: MILITARY FIRES ON DEMONSTRATORS DURING LARGE
DEMONSTRATION AGAINST DADIS' CANDIDACY
REF: CONAKRY 00590
UNCLAS CONAKRY 000594
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM ASEC GV
SUBJECT: MILITARY FIRES ON DEMONSTRATORS DURING LARGE
DEMONSTRATION AGAINST DADIS' CANDIDACY
REF: CONAKRY 00590
1. Demonstrations organized by the Forces Vives on September
28 in opposition to Dadis' candidacy (REFTEL) turned violent
when soldiers, including those wearing red berets, entered
the stadium where the protestors gathered and fired into the
crowd. While the number of casualties is still unknown, one
contact at the stadium counted over 80 dead. Others report
approximately 50 dead in and around the stadium. Radio
reports indicate a high number of casualties.
2. On Sunday, September 27, the GOG took several unsucessful
steps to prevent or diminish the impact of the planned
demonstrations. Dadis announced that Monday, September 28th,
the day that Guinea said "no" to to the French in 1958, would
be recognized as a paid holiday. In a separate communique,
the Minister of Territorial Affairs and Political
Administration issued a communique stating that all
demonstrations in Guinea were prohibited until after October
2nd. However, the Forces Vives met on Sunday and issued
their own communique that the march would continue as planned.
3. During their march to the stadium, demonstrators were
confronted by security forces, comprised orignially by MOS
police and MOD gendarmes, staged at various points around the
city. The crowd reportedly burned several MOS vehicles and
set one gendarmerie office ablaze. The security forces were
unable to stop the advancing crowd, who successfully arrived
and entered the stadium. Upon arrival, demonstrators chanted
anti-Dadis slogans and prayed together for peace. According
to reports, the military arrived and confronted the political
leaders for organizing the rally despite the announced
holiday. The military then began firing at the crowd.
According to one eyewitness, security forces beat those who
attempted to flee the stadium.
4. According to several sources, political leaders Cellou
Dalein Diallo, Jean Marie Dore, Mouctar Diallo and Sidya
Toure may have been arrested at the stadium. These reports
are still unconfirmed, but it was reported on Familia FM that
the leaders were being held by security forces.
BROKENSHIRE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM ASEC GV
SUBJECT: MILITARY FIRES ON DEMONSTRATORS DURING LARGE
DEMONSTRATION AGAINST DADIS' CANDIDACY
REF: CONAKRY 00590
1. Demonstrations organized by the Forces Vives on September
28 in opposition to Dadis' candidacy (REFTEL) turned violent
when soldiers, including those wearing red berets, entered
the stadium where the protestors gathered and fired into the
crowd. While the number of casualties is still unknown, one
contact at the stadium counted over 80 dead. Others report
approximately 50 dead in and around the stadium. Radio
reports indicate a high number of casualties.
2. On Sunday, September 27, the GOG took several unsucessful
steps to prevent or diminish the impact of the planned
demonstrations. Dadis announced that Monday, September 28th,
the day that Guinea said "no" to to the French in 1958, would
be recognized as a paid holiday. In a separate communique,
the Minister of Territorial Affairs and Political
Administration issued a communique stating that all
demonstrations in Guinea were prohibited until after October
2nd. However, the Forces Vives met on Sunday and issued
their own communique that the march would continue as planned.
3. During their march to the stadium, demonstrators were
confronted by security forces, comprised orignially by MOS
police and MOD gendarmes, staged at various points around the
city. The crowd reportedly burned several MOS vehicles and
set one gendarmerie office ablaze. The security forces were
unable to stop the advancing crowd, who successfully arrived
and entered the stadium. Upon arrival, demonstrators chanted
anti-Dadis slogans and prayed together for peace. According
to reports, the military arrived and confronted the political
leaders for organizing the rally despite the announced
holiday. The military then began firing at the crowd.
According to one eyewitness, security forces beat those who
attempted to flee the stadium.
4. According to several sources, political leaders Cellou
Dalein Diallo, Jean Marie Dore, Mouctar Diallo and Sidya
Toure may have been arrested at the stadium. These reports
are still unconfirmed, but it was reported on Familia FM that
the leaders were being held by security forces.
BROKENSHIRE