MILITARY SEARCHES OPPOSITION LEADER'S RESIDENCE

UNCLAS CONAKRY 000823 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV ASEC KDEM PHUM PREL GV SUBJECT: MILITARY SEARCHES OPPOSITION LEADER'S RESIDENCE ¶1. (U) According to press reports, two groups of armed military personnel (approximately 15 to 20) invaded the private residence of opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo, a former prime minister and head of the Union of Guinean Democratic Forces (UFDG) political party, on January 1. One group came in the morning and the second in the afternoon. Led by an unidentified captain, the soldiers reportedly accused Diallo of plotting an armed attack against the military junta. Sensitive sources told Embassy that these charges were "a front" since the military was actually looking to recuperate missing funds. The soldiers searched Diallo's house, but left empty-handed. ¶2. (U) In a radio interview, Diallo said that the soldiers entered his compound where a large number of people had gathered to celebrate the new year. According to Diallo, the soldiers ordered everyone to get on the ground, and then proceeded to break down the main entry door and search the house. Diallo said that he was inside, which is where the soldiers found him. When asked the purpose of their visit or whether or not they had any official documents, the soldiers reportedly did not respond. Diallo said that he was escorted outside where he found his entire family, including his children, lying on the ground. In response an interview question, Diallo said that he did not understand why the soldiers invaded his residence, but that it was perhaps intended to intimidate him. ¶3. (SBU) A UFDG contact told Pol LES that three military officers went to Diallo's house the morning of January 2 to explain that the Council for Democracy and Development (CNDD),Guinea's military junta, did not authorize the search. The officers reportedly said that the CNDD was not aware of the incident when it was taking place. The UFDG sent a delegation to the CNDD on January 1 after the incident took place. The CNDD reportedly assured party members that the incident was a "mistake" on the part of the soldiers involved. ¶4. (U) Embassy obtained a copy of a document that is reportedly circulating throughout the capital entitled "Synthesized Results of Audits of Public Services." The list is subtitled "List of Economic Predators." It includes 50 names of former government officials and businesspeople along with a financial figure of the amount of money these individuals reportedly stole. Controversial millionaire Mamadou Syllah heads the list. Cellou Diallo's name is on the list at number 12 for having stolen $30 million. The citation reads "one of the richest ministers with villas in Abidjan, Dakar, New York, and France." Other names include Fode Soumah, Idrissa Thiam, Kassory Fofana, Sidya Toure (another opposition political leader),and former Prime Minister Souare. Contacts indicate that the document was issued by the CNDD. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶5. (U) Cellou's name has been linked to corruption allegations before. The former government reportedly ordered Cellou to vacate his current Conakry residence because he had purchased it with public funds. The CNDD denies any connection with the January 1 incident. Cellou is the only political figure to have publicly declared his candidacy for the presidency. END COMMENT. RASPOLIC