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C O N F I D E N T I A L CONAKRY 000174 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 13/FEB/2017 
 
TAGS: AEMR PINS PGOV AMGT GV
 
SUBJECT: TFGV01; SITREP 38.  FEBRUARY 13, 2007, 1030 HOURS 
STATE OF SIEGE/STATE OF EMERGENCY 
 
CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR JACKSON MCDONALD. REASON 1.4 (B) AND (D). 
 
¶1.  (U) Last evening, February 12, at 2015 hours, 
President Lansana Conte declared a "state of siege" 
throughout Guinea. 
 
¶2.  (U) In his very brief statement to the nation, Conte 
said that he had met almost all of the demands made 
during the recent general strike.  He said that "people 
with bad intentions" had taken over the strike movement, 
attacking property throughout the country.  He then 
ordered the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces (General 
Kerfalla Camara) to re-establish order and to avert 
"civil war." 
 
¶3.  (U) Immediately thereafter, a journalist read the 
full text of a presidential decree declaring a state of 
siege throughout Guinea from February 12 through February 
¶23. 
¶4.  (U) The decree gives the military power to maintain 
order and to arrest persons who present a threat to 
security or to public order or who seek to impede the 
functioning of government.  Public and private meetings 
liable to cause public disorder are banned.  Judges, the 
Minister of Interior, regional governors, prefects, the 
governor of Conakry, and mayors are empowered to order 
searches anywhere, anytime, day or night.  The movement 
of people, vehicles, and goods is banned from 0600 hours 
to 1600 hours and from 2000 hours to 0600 hours. 
Marches, parades, rallies, and demonstrations are banned. 
The military is empowered to arrest persons who endanger 
public security.  The military is empowered to control 
postal, telegraphic, and telephonic communications.  The 
military can search and seize radio transmitters and 
receivers.  The military can requisition persons, goods, 
and services, as provided by law.  The military is 
empowered to control the press, all other publications, 
radio and television broadcasts, cinemas, and theaters. 
The military can transfer or suspend any civil servant or 
government employee whose activities are dangerous for 
public security.  The military can seize arms, 
ammunition, explosives, and other lethal weapons or 
incendiary devices. 
 
¶5.  (U) Despite the broad powers conferred upon the 
military, the civilian government remains in place. 
 
¶6.  (SBU) In sum, this "state of siege" places Guinea 
under partial martial law for 12 days.  It severely 
limits individual freedoms.  It constitutes a great step 
backwards for democracy. 
 
¶7.  (SBU)  For whatever reason, the last night's decree 
does not refer to Article 74 of the constitution 
(Fundamental Law) of 1990, which provides for a state of 
siege or state of emergency.  Instead, the decree refers 
to subsequent Organic Law No. 91/016/CTRN of December 23, 
¶1991.  The decree does, however, appear to conform, at 
least in part, to Article 74 of the constitution, which 
states: 
 
"A state of siege or a state of emergency is decreed by 
the President of the Republic, with the advice of the 
President of the National Assembly and the President of 
the Supreme Court.  Their advice is published in the 
Official Journal.  The President of the Republic can, by 
order, take any measure necessary to defend national 
territorial integrity and to maintain public order.  The 
National Assembly comes into session, if it is not 
already in session.  It cannot be dissolved.  The decree 
proclaiming a state of siege or state of emergency lapses 
after 12 days, unless the National Assembly, upon request 
from the President of the Republic, authorizes its 
extension for a period it determines.  Orders taken to 
implement a state of siege or state of emergency lapse at 
the end of said state." 
 
----------------------- 
SITUATION ON THE GROUND 
----------------------- 
 
¶8.  (SBU) The military deployed numerous patrols 
overnight February 12-13, but their presence is light as 
of this morning, February 13.  There is no/no regular 
vehicular traffic.  Diplomatic vehicles, however, are 
allowed.  There are no known disturbances in Conakry or 
upcountry. 
 
¶9.  (C) Yesterday's disturbances at military bases have 
 
Classified by Ambassador Jackson McDonald. Reasons 1.4(b) and (d). 
 
subsided, but it remains unclear to what extent 
underlying tensions within the military persist. 
 
 MSI6522B NO E.O. LINE  DETECTED OR INVALID EO LINE SECTION 0002 
 
¶10.  (SBU) There is great confusion among the population 
about what this state of siege means.  The decree was 
broadcast in French only, not in local languages.  People 
are uncertain what they can and cannot do.  So far the 
population appears to be observing the curfew/state of 
siege in Conakry, but initial reports from upcountry 
indicate that some markets are open, with the local 
population either ignoring or not understanding the 
decree. 
 
---------- 
DIPLOMATIC 
---------- 
 
¶11.  (C) Immediately after the declaration of the state 
of siege last evening, the Ambassador contacted Minister 
of State for Foreign Affairs Mamady Conde, who confirmed 
that he and other civilian ministers remain in place. 
The Ambassador firmly reminded the Foreign Minister that 
-- state of siege or not -- the Republic of Guinea has 
international obligations under the Vienna Convention on 
Diplomatic Relations to respect diplomatic immunities and 
to provide security for diplomatic missions and 
personnel.  The Foreign Minister said he fully 
understood.  The Ambassador insisted that the Foreign 
Minister also ensure that the military understands 
Guinea's obligations under international law.  The 
Foreign Minister undertook to do so. 
 
¶12.  (C) After meeting with senior Guinean military 
officers this morning, French Ambassador Jean-Michel 
Berritt informed the Ambassador that the Guinean military 
had not thought through the ramifications of the state of 
siege on international flights, the welfare of 
expatriates, and their freedom of movement.  The French 
Ambassador sensed that the military would loosen some of 
the current restrictions. 
 
--------------------------------- 
STATUS OF U.S. MISSION AND AMCITS 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶13.  (U) The U.S. Mission is on Ordered Departure for 
EFMs.  We expect to be on Authorized Departure for non- 
emergency, direct-hire personnel later today. 
 
¶14.  (U) We are actively coordinating the arrival of milair today at 
1600 hours.  The aircraft will bring three ESAT team members and then 
depart for Dakar with approximately 20 EFMs, 3 TDYers, and 20 private 
Amcits. 
 
MCDONALD