Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09FREETOWN4
2009-01-05 17:47:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Freetown
Cable title:
SIERRA LEONE'S PRIVATE PESSIMISM ABOUT GUINEA
how-toVZCZCXRO9971 RR RUEHPA DE RUEHFN #0004 0051747 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 051747Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY FREETOWN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2388 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L FREETOWN 000004
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/05/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR SL
SUBJECT: SIERRA LEONE'S PRIVATE PESSIMISM ABOUT GUINEA
SITUATION
REF: FREETOWN 605
Classified By: Ambassador June Carter Perry for reasons 1.4 (b/d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L FREETOWN 000004
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/05/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR SL
SUBJECT: SIERRA LEONE'S PRIVATE PESSIMISM ABOUT GUINEA
SITUATION
REF: FREETOWN 605
Classified By: Ambassador June Carter Perry for reasons 1.4 (b/d)
1. (C) Sierra Leone's moderate public response to the Guinea
coup should not be misinterpreted as complacency. The
Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) appears to be approaching
the situation warily, welcoming the coup leaders for
bilateral discussions while concurrently preparing for
possible insecurity and violence. The gravity of the concern
was reiterated in a personal way at a January 1 reception
hosted by the Ambassador. First Lady Sia Koroma privately
noted in conversation with the Ambassador that she has
already begun securing her jewelry and packing in preparation
for a hasty departure should circumstances worsen, and has
discussed a possible trip abroad until the region
re-stabilizes. Emboffs were aware that the First Lady's
movements throughout the country had been curtailed for
security reasons, but her intimation to leave the sub-region
casts a new light on how GoSL leaders view the situation
behind closed doors. President Koroma's resistance to pushing
a democratic agenda on the coup regime can be viewed in this
context as a security-related decision designed to maintain
stability in the Mano River Union, rather than a subservient
acceptance of positions taken by wealthier, more influential
states (reftel). The First Lady also delivered a message to
the Ambassador, likely in response to COM's advising State
House that support of elections in Guinea was critical, while
welcoming a coup leader was not. Mrs. Koroma said her husband
was trying to "negotiate" a stable solution with Camara. Post
will continue to monitor Sierra Leonean reaction to the coup,
noting that GoSL leadership's actions in private, familial
decision-making likely best reflect their true opinion,
rather than their public posture.
PERRY
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/05/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR SL
SUBJECT: SIERRA LEONE'S PRIVATE PESSIMISM ABOUT GUINEA
SITUATION
REF: FREETOWN 605
Classified By: Ambassador June Carter Perry for reasons 1.4 (b/d)
1. (C) Sierra Leone's moderate public response to the Guinea
coup should not be misinterpreted as complacency. The
Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) appears to be approaching
the situation warily, welcoming the coup leaders for
bilateral discussions while concurrently preparing for
possible insecurity and violence. The gravity of the concern
was reiterated in a personal way at a January 1 reception
hosted by the Ambassador. First Lady Sia Koroma privately
noted in conversation with the Ambassador that she has
already begun securing her jewelry and packing in preparation
for a hasty departure should circumstances worsen, and has
discussed a possible trip abroad until the region
re-stabilizes. Emboffs were aware that the First Lady's
movements throughout the country had been curtailed for
security reasons, but her intimation to leave the sub-region
casts a new light on how GoSL leaders view the situation
behind closed doors. President Koroma's resistance to pushing
a democratic agenda on the coup regime can be viewed in this
context as a security-related decision designed to maintain
stability in the Mano River Union, rather than a subservient
acceptance of positions taken by wealthier, more influential
states (reftel). The First Lady also delivered a message to
the Ambassador, likely in response to COM's advising State
House that support of elections in Guinea was critical, while
welcoming a coup leader was not. Mrs. Koroma said her husband
was trying to "negotiate" a stable solution with Camara. Post
will continue to monitor Sierra Leonean reaction to the coup,
noting that GoSL leadership's actions in private, familial
decision-making likely best reflect their true opinion,
rather than their public posture.
PERRY