CNDD SUPPORTS TWO DAYS OF GENERAL STRIKE

UNCLAS CONAKRY 000654 SIPDIS C O R R E C T E D COPY - REMOVED SENSITIVE CAPTION E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL ASEC ECON GV SUBJECT: CNDD SUPPORTS TWO DAYS OF GENERAL STRIKE REF: CONAKRY 00649 ¶1. (U) Guineans are continuing to observe a "ville morte" throughout the country (reftel),including in the Forest region where the CNDD finds the bulk of its support. On October 11 and 12, the CNDD repeatedly played a statement announcing their support for the national strike, saying that all Guineans should stay home to mourn and pray for their dead. The statements also strictly forbade any public demonstrations during the national strike, and security forces guarded the otherwise empty traffic circles and large junctions in Conakry to ensure that everyone adhered to this rule. There have been no reports of violence since the ville morte began. ¶2. (U) COMMENT: The CNDD will likely continue to play their message of support for the strike over the radio and television today to detract from the unions' organization of the strike. The ville morte is set to end this evening. END COMMENT. BROKENSHIRE