VZCZCXRO3692
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHRY #0775/01 1601334
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 091334Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9262
INFO RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//POLAD/J2//

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000775 
 
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 TWO REMAINS CALM, GOVERNMENT PR 
EFFORT NOTED, BUT NOT VERY EFFECTIVE 
 
REFS: A)CONAKRY 757, B) CONAKRY 717, C) CONAKRY 721 
 
¶1.  (SBU) Summary.  Guinean support for the general strike 
remained relatively strong and peaceful on its second day. 
The government seems more prepared to handle the PR aspects 
of the strike, compared to the five-day strike that ended in 
March.  While it is neither failing nor fading, this union 
effort appears to be in search of a spark.  To date, there 
have been no formal negotiations between the government and 
the unions.  EAC met to review situation (septel). End 
summary. 
 
----------------------------------------- 
KEY OBSERVATIONS FROM STRIKE'S SECOND DAY 
----------------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (U) Based on contacts with sources and observation by 
Mission staff, it appears support for the strike has 
remained generally consistent with the strike's first day. 
 
-- Taxis continue to operate and were noticeably joined on 
June 9 by the mini-buses used by many Guineans.  Few of 
these vehicles appear to be full of passengers. 
 
-- There continue to be no reports of violence associated 
with the strike throughout the entire country.  Police 
presence on the streets of Conakry appeared lower than on 
Day 1. 
 
-- Most businesses, banks, and large shops remained closed. 
At least one supermarket owner told an Embassy officer he 
was prepared to open, if his workers showed up.  They did 
not. 
 
-- Some informal market activity continues, with some 
roadside stands open and market women selling goods. 
 
-- Major economic actors in the mining industry remain 
unaffected by the strike, although workers in gold mining 
regions of Upper Guinea are reportedly considering joining 
the effort. 
 
¶3.  (U) To date, the government and unions have not held 
formal negotiations.  It is possible that there are meetings 
behind closed doors.  The government has presented its case 
through Guinea's sole broadcaster, state-run Guinean Radio 
and Television.  In local languages, the government is 
repeating its declaration regarding the strike (ref A). 
Announcers are also exhorting Guineans in their ethnic 
languages to go back to work.  Based on observations noted 
above, these PR efforts have not yet been effective in 
breaking the strike.  They show an improvement over 
government efforts to control perceptions of the last 
strike. 
 
----------------------------------- 
KEY POINTS HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶4.  (SBU) Heading into the weekend, there are several 
scenarios that bear watching. 
 
¶5.  (SBU) Electricity:  Guineans will be watching the World 
Cup matches this weekend, and generally, the government 
tries to provide electricity during these times.  A power 
failure during the African Cup earlier this year sparked a 
demonstration at a local electric utility office in Conakry 
that resulted in rock-throwing and gendarmes opening fire on 
the crowd.  A repeat of that sort of problem could touch off 
a wider demonstration.  Electrical problems are possible, 
even likely, given Guinea's fragile power grid and aging 
infrastructure.  President Lansana Conte has reportedly 
donated generators to youth centers in Conakry to help 
ensure that people can watch the games. 
 
¶6.  (SBU) Political Parties:  So far they have remained 
silent, and their supporters have not taken to the streets. 
Meetings between the unions and political parties were 
planned for today.  We have not yet heard any outcomes of 
these discussions.  The political parties also hold 
regularly scheduled meetings on Saturdays.  In the coming 
days, it is possible that the parties could initiate some 
sort of action in support of the strike or to advance their 
own agendas. 
 
¶7.  (SBU) Business Activity:  It is possible more businesses 
 
CONAKRY 00000775  002 OF 002 
 
 
and shops will choose to open given the peaceful security 
situation.  If so, increased commercial activity could 
further diminish support for the strike.  It is also 
possible that a renewed action by fuel distributors (refs B 
and C) could cut off supplies to service stations, forcing 
cab drivers off the road, and bringing what economic 
activity that is occurring to a standstill.  The 
transporters set June 10 as their deadline for government 
concessions.  We are not aware of any formal meetings or an 
agreement between the parties. 
 
¶8.  (SBU) Comment.  The conduct of the strike so far has 
shown a government better prepared to respond to the 
security, public relations and other challenges posed by the 
latest strike.  However, the government remains unable to 
address the main economic grievances of the unions and their 
supporters.  The unions are maintaining the strike, but they 
have not succeeded in completely shutting down the country. 
 
McDONALD