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DE RUEHRY #0088/01 0261146
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O 261146Z JAN 07
FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0539
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000088 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR AF/W, AF/EX, DS/IP/AF, CA/OCS 
PLEASE PASS ALSO TO PEACE CORPS, ALSO FOR AID/AA 
TREASURY FOR OFFICE OF AFRICAN NATIONS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/25/2017 
TAGS: PGOV ELAB ASEC CASC PINS AEMR EAID GV
SUBJECT: SITREP NO. 26: GUINEA GENERAL STRIKE, JAN. 26, 
1300 GMT 
 
REF: CONAKRY 82 AND PREVIOUS 
 
Classified By: DCM Julie Winn, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
----------------------- 
SITUATION ON THE GROUND 
------------------------ 
 
¶1.  (C) Guinea's general strike continues as the country 
awaits an outcome to ongoing negotiations to settle union 
(and popular) demands.  After two days in which only one 
minor security incident took place in Conakry, the morning of 
January 26 has seen renewed rock-throwing on the 
Hamdallaye-Bambeto-Coza axis and along the Bambeto-airport 
connecting road.  The rest of the city has been quiet.  There 
were some localized celebrations, even dancing in the street, 
late January 25 as supporters of one potential prime 
ministerial candidate or another heard (unfounded) rumors 
their man had been selected.  As was the case January 25, 
there are more private vehicles and pedestrians in the 
streets today, and noticeably more taxis, although traffic 
patterns are not normal.  The security presence is similar to 
that of the last several days.  A few shops were open the 
afternoon of January 25, and some remain open today.  Large 
stores, businesses, banks, etc. remain closed. 
 
---------------- 
POLITICAL UPDATE 
---------------- 
 
¶2.  (C) The ad-hoc committee (reftel) charged with drafting a 
legal framework for a prime minister as head of government 
adjourned late January 25 with a draft text still under hot 
debate.  Despite internet articles to the contrary, they have 
not reached agreement among themselves.  They are to 
reconvene at 1500 today.  Government and union 
representatives are far from reaching consensus on the terms 
of reference.  Despite the celebrations mentioned above, 
there has been no formal discussion or negotiation on 
potential candidates for the job.  Until Conte signs a decree 
and a prime minister is in place, the unions will maintain 
the strike. 
 
¶3.  (C) Beginning at approximately 1200 hours on January 25, 
the ad hoc commission of representatives from all branches of 
government (including the National Assembly, Supreme Court, 
Economic and Social Council, and executive officials) worked 
separately from union representatives at the Palais du Peuple 
to draft terms of reference.  They were joined at about 1800 
hours by a wider group, engaging in "difficult discussions 
and negotiations," but making little headway.  By the end of 
the session at 2130 hours, they produced two working 
documents:  a draft bill to create the post of prime minister 
as chief of government, and a corresponding presidential 
decree that describes the functions of the job. 
 
¶4.  (C) Working drafts envision a prime minister who would 
lead and coordinate all government action, assuring the 
execution of laws and the national defense.  This person 
would, among other prerogatives: 
-- Stand in for the President of the Republic in presiding 
over the cabinet meeting and meetings of the High National 
Defense Committee; 
-- Choose all ministers, dismiss them on his own authority; 
delegate powers to them; 
-- Sign all official acts which would be co-signed by the 
minister charged with their execution; 
-- Have regulatory power and appoint the holders of both 
civilian and military posts. 
 
¶5.  (C) As drafted, the documents would create a prime 
minister with full executive powers, un-tethered by the head 
of state, with heretofore unheard of power over national 
defense and, by extension, all branches of the military.  The 
commission remains deadlocked over the content of these 
documents.  It is surprising that the document made it this 
far as written, even in draft form.  Most Guineans who have 
been privy to these discussions believe that Conte will never 
agree to these terms. 
 
¶6.  (C) We agree:  Conte will never relinquish this much 
power, if any at all. 
 
¶7.  (C) The public is anxiously awaiting the outcome of the 
negotiations.  On January 25, some Guineans celebrated rumors 
 
CONAKRY 00000088  002 OF 002 
 
 
that Sidya Toure was named as prime minister.  Toure has told 
us on many occasions he would never accept the job (again) 
under Conte, although we believe he might consider it if 
Conte really were to sign off on the job on the terms set 
forth in the draft documents.  Other names in circulation 
include former ECOWAS Executive Secretary Lansana Kouyate, 
former Central Bank Governor Kerfalla Yansane, former Prime 
Minister Cellou Dalein Diallo, and Minister of State for 
Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mamady Conde. 
All is speculation, however -- the commission has not even 
formally begun discussions of potential consensus candidates. 
 In a communique January 25, union leaders cautioned that 
while there is a ray of hope, things are far from settled. 
 
---------------- 
SECURITY POSTURE 
---------------- 
 
¶8.  (C) Per State 9937, Washington has authorized departure 
of EFMs (only). We have notified official Americans.  Two 
spouses and four children have elected to depart at this time 
(details follow septel).  The Mission and families at home 
remain at standfast.  If security conditions allow, we will 
again, as we did the last two weekends, relax restrictions to 
allow people to restock supplies and to visit one another. 
 
¶9.  (SBU) The Consular Section has issued a warden notice 
informing private American citizens of our current posture, 
i.e., authorized departure for EFMs.  We are inviting wardens 
to a town hall meeting tomorrow, January 27, providing the 
security climate in Conakry permits their safe movement. 
 
MCDONALD