TROUBLING ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000087 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM ASEC GV SUBJECT: TROUBLING ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE CNDD REF: A. CONAKRY 078 ¶B. CONAKRY 079 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. Moussa Dadis Camara, President of the National Council for Democracy and Development (CNDD),has been highly visible on national television and radio over the past few days. On February 3, Dadis issued a blanket authority to security personnel to shoot anyone caught committing crimes of drug trafficking, armed robbery, child trafficking, or money laundering. He also officially moved key government institutions involved in revenue management directly under presidential authority, effectively cutting out the Prime Minister. A respected political leader publicly described Dadis as the Moses of Guinea, claiming that God appointed Dadis and that he enjoys divine protection. Embassy is concerned over these developments and continues to monitor the situation closely. END SUMMARY. -------------- BLANKET AUTHORITY TO SHOOT CRIMINALS -------------- ¶2. (U) On February 3, over national television, Dadis authorized security personnel to "shoot anyone" involved in drug trafficking, armed robbery, child trafficking, or money laundering. Dadis reportedly claimed that the country's prisons are overcrowded and there is no space for additional prisoners. He emphasized that any individual caught committing these crimes would be immediately subject to the death penalty. Dadis stated that he considered himself personally accountable to the international community and the International Court of Justice for his decision. He referred to a recent incident involving an attack on a local businessman, which he cited as an example of the types of crimes that are driving investors away from Guinea. -------------- EXERTING CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL RESOURCES -------------- ¶3. (U) Also on February 3 over national television, Dadis read a presidential decree moving key revenue-managing offices directly under the presidency. These offices, which previously reported to the Prime Minister, include the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the Bureau of Customs, the Tax Bureau, the Social Security Office, and the Port Authority. Dadis stated that the decision was necessary in order to ensure proper management of internal revenues. He added that all state revenues must go through the Presidency "for the sake of transparency." Dadis promised to periodically inform �00A;the public on the status of Guinea's financial resources. -------------- RECALLING DIPLOMATIC PASSPORTS -------------- ¶4. (U) The Guinean Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) issued a communique on February 2 inviting all holders of Guinean diplomatic passports to return their documents to the Protocol Department at MFA. CNDD members and their spouses were specifically excluded from this request. -------------- -------------- Dadis Appointed by God, Hailed as the Moses of Guinea -------------- -------------- ¶5. (U) Religious leaders visited Dadis at Camp Alpha Yaya on February 2. The meeting was broadcast over national television. They specifically prayed for Dadis, and for a peaceful transition to constitutional rule. Dadis emphasized that the CNDD is determined to combat corruption, stating that anyone embezzling public funds will be tried. An internet news source (guineenews.com) reported that Dadis promised 100 million GnF ($21,000) to religious authorities in each of the country's four geographic regions. ¶6. (U) After the prayers, a highly respected former member of Conte's Party for Unity and Progress (PUP) and former President of the National Assembly, Elhadj Boubacar Barry, was asked for advice. Barry declared that God had made Dadis Guinea's head of state and that Dadis will continue to enjoy "divine protection." He advised Dadis to continue his "good work," to be firm, and to refuse to yield to external pressure or influence. Barry emphasized that Dadis should focus on organizing a smooth transition, which could take several years. He said that elections should not be the immediate priority, but rather, that the government and civil society should take the time necessary to fully revise the CONAKRY 00000087 002 OF 002 constitution. Specifically referring to international pressure, Barry emphasized that Dadis do what is necessary to advance the country, again stating that the transition may take several years. ¶7. (SBU) Noting that Guineans have suffered for fifty years, Barry compared Dadis to Moses, describing him as the people's savior. Barry asked the assembled military personnel to work together to support Dadis. (COMMENT. Barry was a vocal critic of the late President Conte and of the former President of the National Assembly, Aboubacar Sompare. During his tenure at the National Assembly, Barry was suspended from the PUP for having defied and criticized Conte. There is an unconfirmed rumor that Dadis recently appointed Barry's daughter as the Chief of Staff at the Presidency. END COMMENT). -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Embassy is concerned about these developments. The blanket authority to military personnel is problematic in terms of security, but also in terms of human rights. It is unclear who this authority extends to, how it will be perceived, and ultimately, how it will be implemented. Embassy will issue a warden announcement to advise American citizens, and is considering diplomatic measures to register human rights concerns. Dadis is also consolidating control over financial resources while simultaneously making the Prime Minister virtually irrelevant as a government figure. These public announcements and posturing follow on similar incidents last week (reftels). END COMMENT. RASPOLIC