DADIS VISITS THE WOUNDED, DECLARES TWO DAYS OF

UNCLAS CONAKRY 000604 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM ASEC GV SUBJECT: DADIS VISITS THE WOUNDED, DECLARES TWO DAYS OF NATIONAL MOURNING ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. The ruling CNDD military junta is placing the blame for Monday's violence squarely on Guinea's political actors, noting that the demonstration was illegal and security forces had no choice but to react to the violent behavior of the demonstrators. Over a national television broadcast yesterday evening, Dadis was seen visiting some of the victims. During the broadcast, he accused political leaders of orchestrating a plot to overthrow the government and undermine national unity. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) Yesterday evening, CNDD President Moussa Dadis Camara visited several of the wounded victims of Monday's violence, which was broadcast over national television. Accompanied by members of the CNDD and the government, Dadis said he was shocked at what he saw, describing the victims as "innocent children." A hospital official (a Forestier) said he was surprised when he heard someone report that 87 people had been killed since only 52 had been killed in reality. ¶3. (U) Dadis then blamed political leaders for the violence, comparing Guinea's situation to that of Madagascar as he described Monday's event as an organized plot to overthrow the government. Calling the violence pre-meditated, he said the demonstrators ransacked government buildings and stole weapons from security forces. Dadis noted that the demonstration was illegal and the demonstrators' deliberate disobedience was meant to "mock the power." Furthermore, he described the demonstration as a "subversive" movement, claiming that organizers had been passing out money the night before to mobilize participants. Later, he claimed that many of the demonstrators came from outside Guinea. ¶4. (U) Earlier in the day, the CNDD released an official communique regarding the September 28 violence. After extending condolences to the families of the victims, the CNDD promised to do everything necessary to investigate the events and ensure that those responsible are punished. The communique notes that most of the innocent victims died as a result of a stampede out of the stadium rather than from bullet wounds. ¶5. (U) The bulk of the communique explains the circumstances behind the demonstration, emphasizing that it was illegal. The CNDD notes that "certain political leaders" had requested permission to use the stadium, but were officially denied because the government was preparing the stadium for a national soccer game (which was scheduled for at least two weeks later). The CNDD described how demonstrators destroyed two police stations, stole weapons, and then broke down the gate at the stadium, which prompted the security forces to react in order to restore order. ¶6. (U) In closing, the CNDD emphasizes to its citizens and the international community the willingness of "certain political leaders" to compromise the transition process and undermine national unity. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Dadis is clearly distancing himself from any responsibility for Monday's violence and is actually shifting the blame towards Les Forces Vives. Embassy has confirmed that two gendarmerie stations near the stadium were burned, but finds it difficult to believe that arms were stolen as we would have likely heard reports of military casualties if that were the case. While there may have been some legitimate provocation on the part of the demonstrators, there is no justification for the violent response. ¶8. (SBU) The CNDD continues to promise that the violence will be investigated, but the focus on political actors suggests that the investigation may be focused on them as well, rather than on military actors - if an investigation takes place at all. The government has never investigated the violence that took place in 2007, also at the hands of the military. ¶9. (SBU) A number of Embassy LES called in about the broadcast, absolutely incensed over Dadis' statements and behavior. Many of these LES are Peuhl and some of them were present at the stadium on Monday, in accordance with their personal political convictions. END COMMENT. BROKENSHIRE