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. -------------- MANDATE OF TRANSITION -------------- ¶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. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶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