CHARGE DELIVERS FIRM MESSAGE TO GUINEA'S FOREIGN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000698 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV GV SUBJECT: CHARGE DELIVERS FIRM MESSAGE TO GUINEA'S FOREIGN MINISTER ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Guinea's Foreign Minister used the pretext of a possible meeting with the Secretary to raise the issue of US visa restrictions. In his first encounter with the Foreign Minister since the September 28 violence, Charge reiterated the US position that the killing and raping of unarmed civilians by the military was a horrific act of unparalleled barbarity; Dadis should relinquish power for the good of Guinea. Charge also raised the arrest of hunger striker Thierno Balde and his colleagues, as well as the imminent arrival of Ambassador Moller. End Summary -------------- A MEETING WITH SECRETARY CLINTON -------------- ¶2. (SBU) On October 30, two days before the arrival of Ambassador Moller, Foreign Minister Alexandre Cece Loua requested a meeting with Charge on short notice. He received Charge alone in his office at the Foreign Ministry. After some subdued pleasantries, the Foreign Minister explained that he intended to visit Washington between November 14 and 17 to meet with Secretary Clinton. He said he had a long and fruitful meeting with AF Assistant Secretary Carson during his last visit to the US, and now wished to raise issues with the Secretary. He would be dropping off his passport for a renewal of his NIV. He claimed to be working out the details of the visit with the Guinea Desk office, and asked if Charge had been informed. ¶3. (SBU) Charge knew nothing of the visit, and opined that such an initiative seemed highly unusual considering that the United States Government does not recognize the ruling CNDD military junta and has openly called for the resignation of the president. However, Charge promised to look into the matter and get back to the Minister. Note: Guinea Desk Officer informed Charge by phone shortly after the meeting that he had heard nothing of any such visit, and agreed that any meeting with between the Foreign Minister and Secretary was out of the question. End Note -------------- VISA RESTRICTIONS -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Still on the subject of travel, Loua said he had heard that the US had announced visa restrictions for certain members of the CNDD. He wished to know if the list had been made public, and how would those affected be informed. This was clearly the real purpose behind the meeting; the EU Delegation Chief told Charge that she had been summoned to the Foreign Minister's office the previous day to discuss visa restrictions. During this meeting the Foreign Minister asked if he too would be subject to EU restrictions. That the Foreign Minister had taken the unusual step of meeting Charge alone suggested that he has a personal interest in the matter. Charge replied that the US would not publish a list of names, but affected individuals would be duly informed. -------------- CALL FOR THE DEPARTURE OF DADIS -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Turning to negotiations between the Forces Vives and the CNDD in Ouagadougou, Loua said the government was trying to build a consensual position. However it was under enormous international pressure to make concessions as well a harsh criticism for the events of September 28. Charge said such criticism was well deserved, that any government that orders its troops to fire into a crowd of peaceful unarmed civilians, then finishes off the killings by publicly raping surviving women should expect an outraged reaction from the international community. Charge said the killings and rapes demonstrated an unprecedented level of hate and barbarity. Pointing to a photograph depicting Dadis grinning in dark glasses with his arm thrown over a smiling Loua, Charge speculated that in time Loua himself would hide the picture out of shame and fear. ¶6. (SBU) Charge recalled to the Foreign Minister that less than a month before DAS Fitzgerald had urged Dadis to step down and depart the country, and reminded Loua that this remained the view of the United States. By his use of savage and unrestrained force on his own citizens, Dadis had abdicated whatever dubious right he had to govern. The only way forward was for Dadis to make an exit. Charge made clear that the government of Guinea would never enjoy complete and fruitful diplomatic relations with the US so long as Captain CONAKRY 00000698 002 OF 002 Camara remained in power. ¶7. (SBU) Loua listened, nodding in silence, then said that he too believed Dadis should step down for the good of the country. "The problem will be the transition, and what to do with the army," he sighed. He concluded that Dadis should remain in power to ensure a peaceful transition, and then take his leave of the country. Charge agreed that the transition had to be well-planned to avoid violence, but was skeptical that Dadis could be trusted to act so honorably. Previous experience indicates that he would likely jump at every opportunity to stall the process. -------------- ARREST OF HUNGER STRIKERS -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Charge also raised USG concerns over the arrest of youth leader Thierno Balde and a number of other activists rounded up October 28 after the group started a hunger strike. Charge said that Balde's arrest had drawn considerable attention in the US and at the State Department. Charge noted that the unwarranted arrests once again underscored the government's use of force and coercion as its preferred expedient in resolving political issues. Charge wrote Balde's name on a piece of paper for the Foreign Minister, and urged the Minister to coordinate with security forces to ensure that Balde and his companions were not mistreated. -------------- ARRIVAL OF NEW AMBASSADOR -------------- ¶9. (SBU) At the end of the meeting Charge informed the Foreign Minister that the new United States Ambassador to Guinea would arrive in country on November 1. Charge said the embassy would handle all arrangements surrounding her arrival, and requested that the government make no plans to meet her at the airport. The Minister said he was aware of Ambassador Moller's imminent arrival. -------------- COMMENT -------------- 10 (SBU) Comment: Foreign Minister Loua clearly called the meeting to determine if he too would be subject to visa sanctions. He appeared visibly worried as Charge elaborated on the visa restriction procedure and noted that a good many deserving individuals may find themselves members of the "Visa Club." Also interesting to note is the Foreign Minister's total lack of reaction to Charge's repeated assertions that Dadis was unfit to rule Guinea and should resign for the good of the country. That a cabinet minister of his rank would take such a blast from a Charge without offering even a token defense of Dadis suggests a man shamed by events, cowed by the threat of international sanctions, and uncertain of where he stands. The Foreign Minister's quiet agreement that the President should step down also suggests that disillusion over the current government is beginning to affect even the most privileged officials. End Comment Moller