Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09FREETOWN385
2009-09-29 10:37:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Freetown
Cable title:
SIERRA LEONE'S INITIAL REACTIONS TO GUINEA TROUBLE
how-toVZCZCXRO6812 PP RUEHPA DE RUEHFN #0385 2721037 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 291037Z SEP 09 FM AMEMBASSY FREETOWN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2898 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
S E C R E T FREETOWN 000385
NOFORN
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W (JHUNTER)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/29/2019
TAGS: PGOV PINR PINS PREL GV SL
SUBJECT: SIERRA LEONE'S INITIAL REACTIONS TO GUINEA TROUBLE
REF: FREETOWN 383
Classified By: Political/Economic Officer Amy LeMar for reasons 1.4 (b/
d)
S E C R E T FREETOWN 000385
NOFORN
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W (JHUNTER)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/29/2019
TAGS: PGOV PINR PINS PREL GV SL
SUBJECT: SIERRA LEONE'S INITIAL REACTIONS TO GUINEA TROUBLE
REF: FREETOWN 383
Classified By: Political/Economic Officer Amy LeMar for reasons 1.4 (b/
d)
1. (S//NF) Poloff spoke with a high-level intelligence
contact on September 29 to gauge the Government of Sierra
Leone's response to recent events in Guinea. Source reported
that President Koroma, as expected, is very concerned. The
Office of National Security (ONS) requested that border posts
report any increased movement, but thus far there has been no
influx of Guinean citizens crossing into Sierra Leone. Source
stated that the President was advised by unnamed officials to
have a more pronounced military presence at the border and
increase the patrols, but ONS countered by suggesting that
this could be misinterpreted as a sign of aggression or
hostility. For now, Koroma is following ONS' advice to
monitor the situation, and step-up patrols if it worsens.
Post will report any information gleaned from the National
Security Council Coordinating Group meeting that is expected
to be held today.
2. (U) Today's papers included numerous articles on Guinea,
but all relied heavily on BBC reporting and did not include
editorials or hypotheses on potential local impact. A few
articles refocused on the Yenga border dispute, but were
clearly written in a vacuum from current events. Reactions
are more likely to be reported in tomorrow's press.
FEDZER
NOFORN
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W (JHUNTER)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/29/2019
TAGS: PGOV PINR PINS PREL GV SL
SUBJECT: SIERRA LEONE'S INITIAL REACTIONS TO GUINEA TROUBLE
REF: FREETOWN 383
Classified By: Political/Economic Officer Amy LeMar for reasons 1.4 (b/
d)
1. (S//NF) Poloff spoke with a high-level intelligence
contact on September 29 to gauge the Government of Sierra
Leone's response to recent events in Guinea. Source reported
that President Koroma, as expected, is very concerned. The
Office of National Security (ONS) requested that border posts
report any increased movement, but thus far there has been no
influx of Guinean citizens crossing into Sierra Leone. Source
stated that the President was advised by unnamed officials to
have a more pronounced military presence at the border and
increase the patrols, but ONS countered by suggesting that
this could be misinterpreted as a sign of aggression or
hostility. For now, Koroma is following ONS' advice to
monitor the situation, and step-up patrols if it worsens.
Post will report any information gleaned from the National
Security Council Coordinating Group meeting that is expected
to be held today.
2. (U) Today's papers included numerous articles on Guinea,
but all relied heavily on BBC reporting and did not include
editorials or hypotheses on potential local impact. A few
articles refocused on the Yenga border dispute, but were
clearly written in a vacuum from current events. Reactions
are more likely to be reported in tomorrow's press.
FEDZER