AF A/S CARSON CONVERSATION WITH BLAISE COMPAORE

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SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/09/2014
TAGS: GV PGOV PHUM PINR PREL UV
SUBJECT: AF A/S CARSON CONVERSATION WITH BLAISE COMPAORE

Classified By: AF A/S Johnnie Carson for reasons 1.4 (b and d)


1. (C) Summary: On December 9, 2009 (10AM),Assistant
Secretary for African Affairs Johnnie Carson called Burkinabe
President and ECOWAS/AU mediator Blaise Compaore to discuss
the political impasse in Guinea. During the conversation,
Carson stressed the opportunity presented by Defense Minister
Sekouba Konate,s temporary stewardship of the Guinean
government to facilitate Guinea,s transition to democracy.
He urged Compaore to play a leadership role in resolving the
conflict by encouraging the Government of Morocco (GOM) to
offer Camara asylum, persuading the junta to accept an ECOWAS
observation mission, working with Konate to establish a
broad-based transitional government, and setting a timetable
for elections. In response, Compaore said he supported the
Assistant Secretary,s suggestions, stressed that the role of
the military will be important in any transitional
government, and expressed concerns about ethnic divisions in
Guinea. Compaore offered a revised proposal for the
transitional government for Carson,s review and suggested
that he looked forward to discussing details of the proposal
during his meeting with DAS Fitzgerald this weekend. End
Summary.


2. (C) Assistant Secretary Carson called President Compaore
in his role as ECOWAS/AU mediator to discuss the political
impasse in Guinea. Carson told Compaore that the
international community is looking to him to play a
leadership role in resolving the conflict, and noted that the
December 3 assassination attempt on Captain Dadis Camara and
his subsequent departure to Morocco presents an opportunity
for Compaore to resolve the situation. Camara has been an
obstacle to Guinea,s transition to democracy and his refusal
to step down has delayed progress on the negotiations.
Defense Minister Konate,s temporary stewardship of the
Guinean government presents Compaore with the opportunity to
move towards a transitional government and usher in elections
and democracy. Carson noted U.S. efforts to encourage the
GOM to allow Camara to stay in Morocco indefinitely as the
best option for both Camara and Guinea. The GOM has said it
could not force Camara to stay and would abide by Camara,s
wishes.


3. (C) Carson then suggested that Compaore,s leadership
will be critical to achieving four important objectives over
the next several weeks. First, Compaore should encourage the
Moroccans to offer Camara safe haven so that he does not
remain an obstacle to resolving the situation in Guinea.
Second, he should persuade the Guinean leadership to allow a
small contingent of 25-40 ECOWAS political and military
observers into Guinea, which would serve as the eyes and ears
of ECOWAS on the ground, rather than as peacekeepers. Carson
noted that these observers would also reassure civil society
that ECOWAS is watching and serve as an early warning and
deterrent to negative actors. Third, Compaore should work to
prepare the junta for a broad-based transitional government
that includes all regions, ethnicities, and civilians. This
transitional government would provide the framework to
transition towards a democratic government. Finally,
Compaore should lead efforts to establish a realistic
timetable for elections that lends credibility to the
transitional government and encourages outsiders to support
the transition and its outcomes. Carson reiterated USG
support and commitment to helping the Guinean people achieve
democracy in their country and asked Compaore for his views
on the situation.


4. (C) Compaore responded by thanking the Assistant
Secretary for continued USG support and agreed that the
objectives laid out by Carson are the path to reconciliation
and peaceful elections in Guinea. Compaore suggested that
restarting the dialogue among the parties is the most urgent
priority and that he is committed to reaching out to the
parties to urge them to resume negotiations. He mentioned
his previously drafted proposal which was rejected by
Guinea,s opposition leaders) offering a solution to the
crisis and suggested that he is now redrafting the proposal
to incorporate a leadership role for faith-based
organizations and a more prominent role for the military. He
stressed that the military must be part of any solution in
Guinea and cannot be completely excluded. Compaore went on
to say he agrees that engaging Konate is critical and with
the need to persuade the GOM to allow Camara to stay in

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Morocco for as long as possible.


5. (C) Compaore then raised the issue of ethnic divisions
in Guinean politics and expressed concern that Konate may be
undermined by the fact that he is Malinke, the same ethnicity
as Toumba, Camara,s Aide de Camp and alleged shooter
(COMMENT. Toumba is Malinke but has also has deep roots in
the Forest Region. END COMMENT). As a result, the situation
must be handled with care. He lamented the absence of the
Nigerian President and the lack of support from Sierra Leone
and Liberia and asked Carson to review his proposal and offer
comments.


6. (C) Carson agreed that the situation is sensitive and
complex but that the ethnic divisions underscore the
importance of including all ethnic and regional groups in a
broad-based transitional government. Carson addressed
Compaore,s point on the role of the military by asserting
that while the military has a role to play, it cannot be
allowed to undermine progress towards a civilian, democratic
government. Carson said he would be happy to review
Compaore,s proposal and asked him to pass it to the U.S.
Embassy in Ouagadougou or the Burkinabe Embassy in
Washington. He then mentioned that Deputy Assistant
Secretary Bill Fitzgerald will travel to Ouagadougou this
weekend and looks forward to meeting with Compaore. Carson
concluded by stating his support for efforts to include
faith-based organizations along with civilian and military
participation in a broad-based government. Compaore noted
that he looked forward to discussing his proposal with DAS
Fitzgerald in more detail during their meeting this weekend.


7. (U) State Minimize Considered.
CLINTON