DADIS EXPLAINS REASONS FOR IDI AMIN'S ARREST

UNCLAS CONAKRY 000079 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM ASEC GV SUBJECT: DADIS EXPLAINS REASONS FOR IDI AMIN'S ARREST REF: CONAKRY 075 ¶1. (U) Moussa Dadis Camara, President of the National Council for Democracy and Development (CNDD),appeared on national television the evening of January 28 to explain his decision to fire Aboubacar Sidiki Camara, aka Idi Amin (reftel). Idi Amin was present throughout the broadcast. According to Dadis, Idi Amin had flouted presidential authority by refusing to postpone the ceremony that installed him as the Permanent Minister Secretary General of the CNDD. Dadis had apparently ordered Idi Amin to hold the ceremony later. Dadis said that Idi Amin was ungrateful, pointing out that he had neglected to specifically name Dadis in his speech as is common practice. Instead, Idi Amin apparently only referred to the CNDD, and failed to mention the president of the republic. ¶2. (U) Continuing, Dadis accused Idi Amin of being "proud, pretentious, and pompous." He challenged Idi Amin to prove that he is the military's only intellectual and then demanded that he prove the legitimacy of the academic degrees and certificates he claims to possess. Dadis added that when he was first considering the decree to relieve Idi of his new post, he considered firing him from the gendarmerie as well, but then decided against it in consideration of Idi's family and children. Finally, Dadis accused the internet news site Guinee24.com of publishing false information. ¶3. (U) Following these statements, Dadis asked Idi Amin to respond. Idi reportedly acknowledged his mistake and asked for forgiveness. He thanked the president for his mercy and affirmed his loyalty. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Dadis' comportment during recent public appearances has been increasingly aggressive and militant. He may be becoming more comfortable with power and quick to wield his authority. However, the population seems to be viewing these developments with some trepidation. END COMMENT. RASPOLIC