DORE PROMISES ELECTIONS IN SIX MONTHS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000097

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2021
TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC GV
SUBJECT: DORE PROMISES ELECTIONS IN SIX MONTHS

REF: CONAKRY 00084

Classified By: Ambassador Patricia Moller for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (U) In a meeting with Ambassador Moller, Prime Minister
Jean Marie Dore promised to work toward elections in six
months and to publicly appoint his government by this
evening. Dore said that his main focus during the transition
would be to prepare for elections and significantly reduce
corruption within the GOG. He also highlighted that the GOG
is in financial trouble, and that the transition government
must not only increase transparency, but also reform linkages
with the international community in order to foster
international development aid. The Ambassador reminded Dore
that if he is able to lead Guinea toward democratic elections
within six months, he will become a national hero. END
SUMMARY.


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MANDATE OF TRANSITION
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2. (SBU) In contradiction to earlier statements that the
Ouagadougou "discussions" (reftel) were not binding, Dore
said the transition would be directed completely by the
stipulations of the Ouagadougou Accords. Dore said that he
and the Forces Vives are "determined" to hold elections in
six months. In this regard, Dore promised to remove the
National Election Commission (CENI) from government control.
The CENI was originally created by as an independent body, he
noted, and should not be controlled by the office of the
President or the PM. The Ambassador then told Dore that if he
kept to his word, and led Guinea to elections in six months,
he would become a national hero.



3. (SBU) Dore then focused on the economy of Guinea claiming
that the financial situation was "very bad." Under the CNDD,
Dore argued, there was no regulation of funds, allowing
ministers and bureaucrats to embezzle copious amounts of
money. According to Dore, CNDD ministers frequently opened
state accounts in their own names - depositing public funds
for personal gain. Since taking office, Dore claims to have
frozen all state-owned accounts that were created illegally.
He told the Ambassador that if government officials want to
get rich, "they will have to go into the private sector."



4. (SBU) Dore also criticized the CNDD for their human rights
record, claiming that Dore and Konate will work together to
reform the military and improve rule of law in order to
diminish human rights abuses. Dore then noted that he has
already taken action toward improving rule of law in Guinea.
Just a few hours before the meeting, he said, he ordered the
arrest of several Red Berets for breaking into a bank
(septel). He also pointed to the case of human rights
activist and former US Embassy Political Assistant Mouctar
Diallo. Dore said that he personally called the Minister of
Justice to argue that Diallo could not be held for
"criticizing the CNDD," as it is in violation of the freedom
of expression. As such, he demanded that the Minister of
Justice release Diallo from custody, which he promptly did on
Friday, February 5. He said that he and Konate would work in
harmony to improve the human rights situation.



5. (SBU) Dore ended the discussion by thanking President
Obama, Hillary Clinton, and the Department of State for their
support. He told Ambassador Moller that it is "customary for
the poor to end conversations by asking money from the rich,
so I would like to ask you for help," and that his government
will formally request help in the education and medical
sectors in the near future. Dore then promised the Ambassador
that a formal transition government would be named this
evening.


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COMMENT
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6. (C) Dore seems to have an ambitious and somewhat grandiose
agenda for his transition government, but it is heartening to
hear that he will focus on having elections in six months. It
is also reassuring that he is beginning to define what his
specific mandate will be, and how he would like to implement

CONAKRY 00000097 002 OF 002


it. Dore has been an opposition figure for over thirty years,
and has never had an opportunity to actually manage any part
of the government. Now that he is in office, Guineans, as
well as members of the international community, are beginning
to question how easy it will be for him to give up the power
that he has sought for three decades. His delay on appointing
a government and his refusal to rule out his possible
candidacy for President has raised skepticism over his
intentions. However, if Dore acts on his rhetoric, he may
actually lead Guinea to elections within the six-month time
frame. During the transition, it will be important that civil
society, political leaders, and the international community
remind him regularly of his pledge.
Moller