Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09DAKAR274
2009-03-03 18:52:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Dakar
Cable title:
GUINEA-BISSAU: REQUEST FUNDING FOR ELECTION SUPPORT
how-toVZCZCXRO8296 PP RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHDK #0274 0621852 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 031852Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY DAKAR TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1979 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS DAKAR 000274
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR AF/W, AF/RSA, DRL
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINS KDEM PU
SUBJECT: GUINEA-BISSAU: REQUEST FUNDING FOR ELECTION SUPPORT
UNCLAS DAKAR 000274
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR AF/W, AF/RSA, DRL
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINS KDEM PU
SUBJECT: GUINEA-BISSAU: REQUEST FUNDING FOR ELECTION SUPPORT
1. (U) This is an action request. See paragraph 4.
2. (U) As a result of the March 2 assassination of President Joao
Bernardo Vieira, interim-President Raimundo Pereira will have to
oversee presidential elections within 60 days, as called for in the
constitution. However, the GOGB does not have the resources to
conduct an election so soon after the November 2008 legislative
elections. By all accounts - including those by Embassy, EU, UN,
AU, and ECOWAS observer Missions -- the National Election Commission
(CNE) conducted a free, fair, and transparent election in November.
However, the election was put at risk on several occasions in the
lead up to polling day by strikes from unpaid poll workers. If the
elections are to be held successfully, the international donor
community will have to provide resources to the CNE, primarily for
materials and/or salaries.
3. (SBU) As noted in the Mission Strategic Plan (MSP) for
Guinea-Bissau, the country is at risk of becoming a narco-state.
While the assassinations of President Vieira and Chief-of-Staff
General Tagme Na Wai have increased that risk, their departure from
Bissau-Guinean politics provides a window of opportunity to
reinforce the positive steps toward democratization that was made in
the last two successful elections.
4. (U) ACTION REQUEST: Post requests funding for a grant for an
international organization or NGO to provide support to the CNE as
it prepares for and conducts Guinea-Bissau's presidential
elections.
Bernicat
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR AF/W, AF/RSA, DRL
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINS KDEM PU
SUBJECT: GUINEA-BISSAU: REQUEST FUNDING FOR ELECTION SUPPORT
1. (U) This is an action request. See paragraph 4.
2. (U) As a result of the March 2 assassination of President Joao
Bernardo Vieira, interim-President Raimundo Pereira will have to
oversee presidential elections within 60 days, as called for in the
constitution. However, the GOGB does not have the resources to
conduct an election so soon after the November 2008 legislative
elections. By all accounts - including those by Embassy, EU, UN,
AU, and ECOWAS observer Missions -- the National Election Commission
(CNE) conducted a free, fair, and transparent election in November.
However, the election was put at risk on several occasions in the
lead up to polling day by strikes from unpaid poll workers. If the
elections are to be held successfully, the international donor
community will have to provide resources to the CNE, primarily for
materials and/or salaries.
3. (SBU) As noted in the Mission Strategic Plan (MSP) for
Guinea-Bissau, the country is at risk of becoming a narco-state.
While the assassinations of President Vieira and Chief-of-Staff
General Tagme Na Wai have increased that risk, their departure from
Bissau-Guinean politics provides a window of opportunity to
reinforce the positive steps toward democratization that was made in
the last two successful elections.
4. (U) ACTION REQUEST: Post requests funding for a grant for an
international organization or NGO to provide support to the CNE as
it prepares for and conducts Guinea-Bissau's presidential
elections.
Bernicat