Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CONAKRY88
2009-02-03 16:19:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:
DADIS CAMARA PUBLICLY FIRES HEAD OF CUSTOMS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHRY #0088 0341619 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 031619Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3418 INFO RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS CONAKRY 000088
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KCOR ETRD GV
SUBJECT: DADIS CAMARA PUBLICLY FIRES HEAD OF CUSTOMS
REF: A. CONAKRY 78
B. CONAKRY 79
UNCLAS CONAKRY 000088
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KCOR ETRD GV
SUBJECT: DADIS CAMARA PUBLICLY FIRES HEAD OF CUSTOMS
REF: A. CONAKRY 78
B. CONAKRY 79
1. (U) Moussa Dadis Camara, President of the National Council
for Democracy and Development (CNDD),publicly fired the
National Director of Customs, Olga Syradin, as he was touring
Customs Headquarters on 2 February. According to a source,
customs employees present during the tour began spontaneously
shouting, "We want change! We want change!"
2. (U) At that point, Dadis Camara reportedly halted the
visit to address the gathering of employees, asking "What do
you want?" When the employees shouted that they needed new
leadership, Dadis reportedly asked: "Who among you is capable
of leading the Customs Directorate?" After the group shouted
down the first nominee, an older Customs employee, they
responded enthusiastically when the Deputy Director of the
Mobile Customs Brigade, Mamady Toure, offered to take the
position. A quick show of hands indicated that Toure had
overwhelming support, and Dadis Camara supposedly sacked
Syradin and appointed Toure on the spot.
3. (SBU) The source said that Mamady Toure had previously
arranged to be named Syradin's successor by paying a bribe of
GNF 200 million (roughly $44,000) to the CNDD. The source
also stated that Syradin might soon be given a position
abroad at a Guinean Embassy.
4. (SBU) COMMENT. Rumors have recently increased regarding
the number of appointees who have won their positions by
paying off the CNDD. If it is true that Dadis or the CNDD
orchestrated the sacking, the junta leader may be becoming
even bolder in showing off his power. Echoing other recent
public pronouncements (reftels),the event allowed him to
show off his "democratic" responsiveness to the concerns of
the employees of the state. END COMMENT.
RASPOLIC
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KCOR ETRD GV
SUBJECT: DADIS CAMARA PUBLICLY FIRES HEAD OF CUSTOMS
REF: A. CONAKRY 78
B. CONAKRY 79
1. (U) Moussa Dadis Camara, President of the National Council
for Democracy and Development (CNDD),publicly fired the
National Director of Customs, Olga Syradin, as he was touring
Customs Headquarters on 2 February. According to a source,
customs employees present during the tour began spontaneously
shouting, "We want change! We want change!"
2. (U) At that point, Dadis Camara reportedly halted the
visit to address the gathering of employees, asking "What do
you want?" When the employees shouted that they needed new
leadership, Dadis reportedly asked: "Who among you is capable
of leading the Customs Directorate?" After the group shouted
down the first nominee, an older Customs employee, they
responded enthusiastically when the Deputy Director of the
Mobile Customs Brigade, Mamady Toure, offered to take the
position. A quick show of hands indicated that Toure had
overwhelming support, and Dadis Camara supposedly sacked
Syradin and appointed Toure on the spot.
3. (SBU) The source said that Mamady Toure had previously
arranged to be named Syradin's successor by paying a bribe of
GNF 200 million (roughly $44,000) to the CNDD. The source
also stated that Syradin might soon be given a position
abroad at a Guinean Embassy.
4. (SBU) COMMENT. Rumors have recently increased regarding
the number of appointees who have won their positions by
paying off the CNDD. If it is true that Dadis or the CNDD
orchestrated the sacking, the junta leader may be becoming
even bolder in showing off his power. Echoing other recent
public pronouncements (reftels),the event allowed him to
show off his "democratic" responsiveness to the concerns of
the employees of the state. END COMMENT.
RASPOLIC