GUINEA AT A GLANCE - DEC 10

UNCLAS CONAKRY 000780 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON EFIN ASEC GV SUBJECT: GUINEA AT A GLANCE - DEC 10 REFTEL: 09 CONAKRY 0769 -------------- KONATE PLEADS FOR CONTROL, DISCIPLINE -------------- ¶1. On December 9, CNDD Interim President Sekouba Konate toured several military bases in Conakry and spoke to crowds of troops in Camp Alpha Yaya and the Guinean Air Force base. Konate was accompanied by all the chiefs of staff of the Guinean military, as well as Secretary General of the Presidency Keletigui Faro and Minister of Presidential Security Claude Pivi. This address comes on the heels of Konate's meeting with the Ambassador, during which she emphasized to the Minister that he was responsible for the safety and security of Guinea and all its inhabitants, as well as advocating for his leadership in establishing a transition government under civilian control, that would lead to democratic elections (reftel). ¶2. Konate's address at the Guinean Air Force base was televised and held in front of a large assembly of military from all branches of the armed services. In his address, Konate reiterated his loyalty to Dadis, condemned the coup plotters, and promised to protect government institutions. Konate pleaded for a return of order, hierarchy, and discipline among the armed forces. He said that the recent coup attempt was a shameful act for both the military and the nation of Guinea. Konate linked those accused of the coup as attempting to thwart the will of the chiefs of the CNDD, who had all testified before the UN Commission of Inquiry - a fact that Konate says proves the CNDD are committed to restoring peace and fostering democracy. ¶3. Interestingly, in his televised address at the Air Force base, Konate trumpeted the good conduct of the Air Force in comparison to their comrade-in-arms in Camp Alpha Yaya (who are viewed as responsible for September 28 killings). He said that discipline and control have been declining for too long among the armed forces, and that "a soldier who is not well trained is a criminal." Konate concluded his address by promising four priorities for improvement: reconstruction of military barracks, a focus on training, purchasing new equipment, and reinforcing discipline and hierarchy within the armed forces. ¶4. COMMENT. In contrast to Dadis, who worked and ran government operations from Camp Alpha Yaya, Konate is distancing himself from the personnel and stigma of the Camp. So far, he has shown a preference for other branches of the military than the red berets, and a willingness to take decisions by committee rather than individually. END COMMENT. -------------- CNDD PARTICIPATION IN MEDIATION TALKS? -------------- ¶5. Further rounds of mediation talks between the Forces Vives, the CNDD, and ECOWAS mediator Burkinabe President Blaise Compaore are expected in Ouagadougou. However, the CNDD have refrained from stating their official intention to participate. Idrissa Cherif, Head of Communications for the CNDD, and Moussa Keita, Permanent Secretary of the CNDD, have publically declared that mediation talks will not resume until Dadis' return. ¶6. By contrast, in a conversation with various international representatives, Prime Minister Kabine Komara assured the group that the CNDD will send an 8-member delegation to the next round of talks. Interim CNDD President Konate has yet to give official word of his decision. ¶7. Forces Vives members continue to criticize the CNDD's position. Bah Oury (UFDG),Francois Fall (FUDEC) and Mamadou Badiko Bah (UFD) declared that the statements of Cherif and Keita demonstrate a lack of good will, and appear to be a strategy for the CNDD to maintain power as long as possible. The Forces Vives renewed their call for ECOWAS, the African Union, and the International Contact Group on Guinea to increase pressure on the CNDD to bring about a transitional government to form free and transparent elections. -------------- ECOWAS DISCUSS GUINEA -------------- ¶8. In Conakry, the CNDD has yet to react or comment on a meeting of ECOWAS Army Chiefs of Staff in Abuja on December 9 in which they reportedly discussed various peacekeeping scenarios to undertake in Guinea. Among the reported options is a civilian protection mission similar to the ECOMOG mission implemented in Liberia during its civil war. MOLLER