GUINEA-BISSAU: OPPOSITION PRS PARTY DISCRETE FOR THE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DAKAR 001496 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR AF/W, DRL AND INR/AA PARIS, LISBON, LONDON FOR AFRICA WATCHERS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PINS KDEM HDP SG SUBJECT: GUINEA-BISSAU: OPPOSITION PRS PARTY DISCRETE FOR THE MOMENT, WORRIED, LOOKING FOR HOLES IN THE PAIGC ARMOR DAKAR 00001496 001.2 OF 002 INT ZFR IMI ZFR DAKAR 1496 - NEW CABLE WILL BE RESUBMITTED DAKAR 00001496 002 OF 002 the National Assembly and in the larger body politic, unless its leaders can begin to persuade non-Balata Bissau-Guineans that the party that oversaw the Balanta-ization of the armed forces can actually be a true national party. Knowing this, the party's leaders are seeking at the moment to create an image of being constructive participants in the deliberation of Assembly sessions as they wait to take advantage all the weaknesses of the current president and prime minister, including perceived complicity in four assassinations, the militaries interference in civilian politics and law enforcement, stalled security sector reform, and widespread and growing public opinion that holding elections does not improve the well-being or quality of life of the population or stabilize the country's political situation. BERNICAT