DEMARCHE REQUEST - POSSIBLE LIBYAN CONNECTION TO

S E C R E T STATE 117224 E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PINS AU GV SUBJECT: DEMARCHE REQUEST - POSSIBLE LIBYAN CONNECTION TO LIGHT ARMS TRANSFERS INTO GUINEA REF: A. IIR 6 839 0005 10 ¶B. IIR 6 839 0008 10 ¶C. IIR 6 839 0009 10 ¶D. CONAKRY 0699 Classified By: NEA DAS Janet Sanderson for reasons 1.5 (b, c, d) ¶1. (SBU) This is a demarche request. Embassy Tripoli is requested to demarche the Libyan government regarding a possible Libyan connection to light arms transfers into Guinea, drawing from the suggested talking points in para 5. BACKGROUND -------------- ¶2. (S) Embassy Conakry has received reports indicating that Libya may be delivering weapons, including assault rifles, RPGs and munitions (which may have originated in the Ukraine) to Guinea,s military junta, the National Council for Democracy and Development (CNDD). Contacts have told Embassy Conakry that at least two aircrafts originating from Libya recently landed in the Guinean capital, Conakry, in the early morning hours. After landing, the aircrafts taxied to the military section of the airport where the weapons were unloaded. It is believed these arms are destined for military training camps. ¶3. (S) We also have information that the CNDD is using South African military trainers for more than 1000 recently recruited troops, including child soldiers (some appearing to be young teenagers). As most of these recruits hail from the Forest Region and are ethnically linked to CNDD President Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, Embassy contacts said Dadis Camara could be training an ethnic militia force. If true, such a force poses a significant threat to peace and stability not only for Guinea, but across the entire region. OBJECTIVE -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Bring these issues to the attention of the Libyan Government and advise them of the possibility of Libyan involvement in illicit arms transfers. Urge the Libyan Government to investigate these claims, and, if found credible, to block any further arms transfers. TALKING POINTS -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Suggested talking points: - The United States Government is deeply concerned about credible reports of illicit arms transfers to Guinea, which are believed to be orchestrated by the ruling military junta, the National Council for Democracy and Development (CNDD). These arms transfers challenge ECOWAS' October 17 decision to impose an arms embargo on Guinea, which was endorsed by the African Union PSC on October 29. - According to reports, some recent arms transfers to Guinea may have originated in, or transited via, Libya. - These reports are particularly disturbing given press reports that the CNDD is using South African military instructors to train more than 1000 new recruits, including young teenagers, near Forecariah, Guinea. Available information suggests that the CNDD may be training ethnic militias who are loyal not to the state, but to junta leader Captain Moussa Dadis Camara. - These activities pose a significant threat to regional stability as well as to the ongoing political transition in Guinea. - Any conflict in Guinea could spill over into neighboring Liberia and Sierra Leone, which have only recently emerged from more than 10 years of civil war. The cost in human lives as well as development and humanitarian assistance during these Mano River region conflicts is incalculable. The region cannot be allowed to descend back into chaos. - We welcome any information you can provide regarding possible arms transfers to Guinea. We are certain that if these reports prove accurate, the Libyan Government will take all necessary actions to halt this activity. - The United States Government is committed to restoring civilian authority in Guinea, and supports ECOWAS and the African Union in achieving this goal. The horrific violence of September 28 is intolerable and demonstrates that the CNDD is incapable of governing Guinea effectively. We urge the Government of Libya to support international efforts to exert pressure on the junta to turn power over to of a civilian-led transitional government. POC --- ¶6. (U) Action addressees are requested to deliver this demarche by NLT Thursday, November 19. Please direct any questions and responses to Jim Hunter, AF/W, x7-3469 and Shannon Cazeau, AF/W, x7-3468. CLINTON