OPPOSITION PARITES CALL FOR GENERAL STRIKE ON

UNCLAS CONAKRY 000686 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON EFIN GV SUBJECT: OPPOSITION PARITES CALL FOR GENERAL STRIKE ON OCTOBER 28 ¶1. (U) In commemoration of the one month anniversary of the September 28 massacre, the Forces Vives are calling for a Ville Morte on October 28. In addition, the opposition parties see the boycott as a form of protest against the CNDD. All private banks are planning to close in solidarity with the Ville Morte, and to remain closed on October 29 and 30 in response to a recent attack on a prominent bank manager. The bank closures may prolong the scheduled strike. ¶2. (U) Women members of the Forces Vives circulated a communique to local radio and newspapers on October 26, calling for a day of prayer and remembrance for the victims of September 28. The communique asks that all citizens remain in their residences on October 28 and refrain from any professional activities. ¶3. (U) The communique was distributed by numerous radio and internet media outlets. The chief of government-controlled RadioTelevison Guinee declared that he had not received any word on the planned protests. Numerous private media outlets have reported that they are broadcasting the communique frequently on the air. Word of the boycott has reportedly spread throughout the interior of Guinea. Reports reaching the Embassy indicate that the general population, including students, plans to stay home. The CNDD has yet to respond to the communique. ¶4. (SBU) According to Embassy contacts, private banks in Guinea will close for the boycott, and remain closed for the rest of the week. The decision comes on the heels of the October 26 abduction of Ibrahima Diallo, manager of the First International Bank, who was followed home by men in military uniforms, who arrested and beat him, then stole his money, car, and other valuables. There has been no official reaction from the government about this abduction, and no arrests. ¶5. (SBU) COMMENT. The population is expected to support the October 28 strikes. Past boycotts calling for individuals to stay off the streets have been mostly peaceful. The CNDD has previously endorsed opposition party calls for strikes, declaring them national holidays, thus avoiding the appearance of being at odds with the Forces Vives. With the scheduled bank closures, it will be difficult for business to resume normal functions after the one-day strike, increasing the possibility of a protracted strike. END COMMENT. BROKENSHIRE