VZCZCXRO2506
OO RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHRY #0757/01 1591636
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 081636Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9248
INFO RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//POLAD/J2//

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000757 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
TREASURY FOR OFFICE OF AFRICAN NATIONS 
 
E.O. 12598:  N/A 
TAGS: ELAB ECON PGOV SOCI ASEC CASC GV
SUBJECT:  GUINEA STRIKE: DAY ONE IS PEACEFUL, PUBLIC SUPPORT 
APPEARS TENTATIVE 
 
REF: CONAKRY 747 
 
¶1.  (U) Summary.  Guineans are mostly following the strike 
called for June 8 by the USTG-CNTG union coalition.  Most 
offices, larger stores, businesses and government offices 
are either closed or barely staffed.  As the day continued, 
some taxi drivers got on the road, and most gas stations 
opened, along with a few small shops.  There are no reports 
of violence. 
 
¶2.  (U) The government responded to union demands with a 
communique read by new Minister of Territorial 
Administration Moussa Solano that was broadcast repeatedly. 
No talks are currently planned between the striking unions 
and the government, and unions have not responded publicly 
to the communique.  The Embassy EAC will convene Friday to 
discuss events as we head into the weekend.  End summary. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ---------- 
STRIKE BEGINS: PUBLIC SUPPORT STRONG, BUT NOT UNIVERSAL 
--------------------------------------------- ---------- 
 
¶3.  (U) Public support for the first day of the strike 
appears strong, but not universal.  In Conakry, certain 
areas were more active than others, but most businesses 
remained closed.  Government ministries are staffed only at 
the most senior levels.  The open air markets are mainly 
closed.  However, some taxi drivers are on the road, filling 
their tanks and picking up passengers without protest from 
strike sympathizers.  Fuel delivery trucks are in service, 
and major operations such as CBG (Compagnie des Bauxites de 
Guinee) are operating normally.  There is some low-level 
informal economic activity in Conakry, with market women on 
the streets and small boutiques open. 
 
¶4.  (U) To date, there have been no public demonstrations or 
acts of violence reported.  The strike has begun more 
peacefully than the five-day strike earlier this year, which 
was marked by tire burning and rock throwing.  There is no 
large police or gendarme presence on the streets, and people 
who are out are moving freely.  The Embassy EAC will meet 
Friday to assess the security situation heading into the 
weekend. 
 
--------------------------------------------- 
NEW GOVERNMENT FINALLY RESPONDS TO THE UNIONS 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶5.  (U) The government has finally responded to the unions' 
demands.  In a communique repeatedly broadcast on national 
radio, new Minister of Territorial Administration and 
Decentralization Moussa Solano issued a statement designed 
to both address the unions concerns and to diminish public 
support of their effort.  Solano is also the official 
spokesperson for the government, and this was his first 
official action in that capacity. 
 
¶6.  (U) In the statement, the government lists the various 
steps it is planning to take to raise salaries and pay money 
owed to retirees.  The communique did not address rice or 
fuel prices, two economic issues driving the strike.  The 
statement acknowledged workers' right to strike, but also 
recognized the right of workers to work, and highlighted the 
government's responsibility to ensure the safety of those 
who choose to do so. 
 
¶7.  (SBU) While measured, the statement has done nothing to 
foster a dialogue with the unions, which met today to 
consider the government's declaration.  The unions have not 
yet provided any official reaction.  No formal meetings 
between the government and the unions are taking place, and 
none are planned.  Many senior union leaders are in Geneva, 
attending an international labor conference, including those 
who left Conakry after signing the strike notice on June 6. 
 
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COMMENT 
------- 
 
¶8.  (SBU) The strike does not appear to have started with 
the same unanimous support as the five-day strike that ended 
in March.  However, it has been effective and peaceful. 
There is no guarantee it will follow the same arc as the 
prior strike, which started strong and began to fizzle as 
the week wore on.  With political parties meeting Friday, 
June 9, to consider their next steps, it is possible they 
 
CONAKRY 00000757  002 OF 002 
 
 
may publicly step in and add a new dimension to the strike 
this weekend.  This strike effort could weaken, if a public 
figure or figures do not step up to stoke the anger of the 
populace against the government.  On the other hand, the 
union efforts may gain momentum during the weekend if people 
do not see any concrete government response.  In this 
scenario, next week may bring a new set of challenges. 
McDONALD