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

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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