GUINEA FM ASKS FOR INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT TO LET

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000896 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL UNSC XY GV AU SUBJECT: GUINEA FM ASKS FOR INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT TO LET DADIS RUN; SECURITY COUNCIL SAYS NO ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. During Security Council consultations on the situation in Guinea held at France's request, the U.S., as President of the Council, briefed on its September 29 meeting with Guinean Foreign Minister Loua, during which he claimed that the violence on September 28 was due to protesters who had obtained arms after overrunning a police station, and then clashed with police. UN Department of Political Affairs A/SYG Menkerios also briefed the Council, saying Red Berets (the former Presidential Guard of deceased Guinean leader Conte) had fired on the crowd in Conakry. Ambassador Rice delivered Council-agreed press remarks immediately following the meeting, which, inter alia, condemned the violence, supported an ECOWAS investigation of the events, and called on the National Council for Democracy and Development (CNDD) to respect its commitment not to run in Guinea's upcoming elections. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) On September 29, Guinean Foreign Minister Loua, at his request, met with Ambassador DiCarlo in her capacity as Security Council President. Loua said the violence in Conakry on September 28 was caused by protesters, who had attacked a police station and obtained arms, and then clashed with police. He said his government would conduct an investigation. Loua also said National Council for Democracy and Development (CNDD) chairman Dadis Camara and his party should be allowed to participate in national elections, since the CNDD had been so productive in combating organized crime and regional drug trafficking since coming to power in December 2008. ¶3. (SBU) At France's request, the Security Council held consultations on September 30 to discuss the situation in Guinea, during which Ambassador Rice briefed the Council on the meeting between Ambassador DiCarlo and FM Loua. UN Department of Political Affairs A/SYG Menkerios also briefed on the events of September 28, saying it was the Red Berets (the former Presidential Guard of deceased Guinean leader Conte),and not the police, who fired on the crowd at the stadium in Conakry. Menkerios also said 150 people were reportedly killed, many hundreds more injured, and that gross human rights abuses, including torture and rape, were committed. He noted the opposition appeared to be hardening against the military junta's rule. Menkerios said Burkinabe President Campaore would be put forward by ECOWAS to become the facilitator between the junta and the opposition. ¶4. (SBU) French PR Araud said France had suspended all military cooperation with Guinea and was reviewing its aid programs. Ambassador Rice, in her national capacity, condemned the violence, called for the release of political prisoners, and said the U.S. stood with the international community and the Guinean people in calling for a return to civilian rule as soon as possible. ¶5. (SBU) All Council members joined Ambassador Rice in condemning the violence and agreed to press elements that Rice delivered immediately following the meeting. The press remarks, inter alia, supported an ECOWAS investigation of the events and called on the CNDD to respect its commitment not to run in Guinea's upcoming elections. ¶6. (U) The full text of the press remarks delivered on September 30: The members of the Security Council heard a briefing by Assistant Secretary-General Menkerios on the situation in Guinea. The members of the Council express their utmost concern at the reports of killings that occurred in Conakry on September 28, when members of the army opened fire on civilians attending a rally. The members of the Security Council condemn the violence that caused reportedly more than 150 deaths and hundreds of wounded and other blatant violations of human rights including rapes in public streets in broad daylight, and violence that led to the arrest of opposition party leaders. The members of the Council urge the authorities of Guinea, without delay, to put an end to the violence, bring the perpetrators to justice, release all political prisoners, opposition leaders, and individuals who are being denied due process under the law, and to allow a prompt return to the rule of law, democracy, and constitutional order through elections as scheduled in 2010. The members of the Security Council express their support for the leadership of ECOWAS and the African Union, in particular that of President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso, and USUN NEW Y 00000896 002 OF 002 express their support for the public statements of ECOWAS and the African Union, and take note of the African Union Commission's statement that it is "preparing a report on the developments in Guinea and possible measures to be taken, including sanctions, in the light of the decision of the PSC and the most recent events in Conakry" and the Council notes the risk these events pose to regional peace and security. The members of the Security Council, in addition, welcome ECOWAS' call for an international investigation into events in Guinea. And, finally, the members of the Council call upon the National Council for Democracy and Development, the CNDD, to reaffirm and respect its previous commitments that it will not field candidates in Guinea's upcoming elections. The members of the Security Council express their determination to continue to follow this grave situation closely. END REMARKS. RICE