VZCZCXRO3745
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHRY #0074/01 0951239
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 041239Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2369
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000074 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV ECON ELAB PREL ASEC GV
SUBJECT: BUSINESS (AND POLITICS) AS USUAL IN GUINEA 
 
REF: A. CONAKRY 0064 
 
     ¶B. CONAKRY 0023 
     ¶C. CONAKRY 0162 
 
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SUMMARY 
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¶1.  (SBU) The 62% increase in fuel prices earlier this week 
appears to have generally been peacefully accepted by the 
population, at least so far.  On the political side, bits and 
pieces of Guinea's political puzzle continue to develop.  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
POPULATION RELATIVELY QUIET ON FUEL PRICE INCREASE 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
¶2.  (U) Guineans appear to going about business as usual this 
week despite changes to the government's petroleum subsidy 
program that caused fuel prices to jump by 62% on April 1 
(reftel).  After a few isolated demonstrations on Tuesday, 
largely precipitated by students, the city has been quiet. 
As of Wednesday, most of Guinea's students were on an 
official spring break, thanks to a late evening government 
declaration on national television and radio on April 1.  By 
Wednesday, traffic patterns had appeared to return to normal, 
aside from the generally reduced circulation due to school 
being out of session.  Union leader Mme Serah Rabiatou Diallo 
did several radio spots early in the week urging people to be 
patient with the higher prices, pointing out that the fuel 
subsidy was unsustainable given world oil prices. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Towards the end of week, there were lines of cars 
queued up at some of the local gas stations.  Gas Bureau 
Chief Yaya Diallo told Econoff that many of the stations had 
not actually bought supplies since the price increase, which 
means that they may have been running short on fuel. 
However, he said that stations started replenishing their 
supplies on April 4.  Diallo also said that the supply tanker 
arrived on schedule, but was only carrying diesel.  Another 
tanker carrying regular gas is reportedly expected April 5. 
 
----------------- 
POLITICS AS USUAL 
----------------- 
 
¶4. (SBU) President Conte has reportedly returned to his home 
in the village due to the death of his nephew, who was killed 
on April 2 when he was shot to death outside his home. 
Nephew Conte (name unknown) was a lieutenant in the 
gendarmerie and the oldest son of one of the president's 
elder sisters (same mother, same father).  According to 
police sources, Nephew Conte was at home when he heard his 
neighbors cry for help as they were being attacked by 
bandits.  He reportedly came out, unarmed, and was shot by 
the bandits.  Both the gendarmes and the police are 
investigating the case. 
 
¶5. (U) April 3 was a national holiday in honor of Guinea's 
second republic, which was established under President Conte. 
 Prime Minister Kouyate presided over a commemorative 
ceremony in the capital.  President Conte did not make any 
public appearances, but he may have already been on his way 
back to the village. 
 
¶6. (SBU) The local press reported a violent disagreement 
between union leaders in Boke, apparently over leadership 
issues.  The dispute was between local representatives of the 
Union of Guinean Workers (USTG) and the Confederation of 
Unionized Guinean Workers (CNTG).  Details are sketchy so 
far, but local authorities confirm that a disagreement took 
place and that several people were injured. 
 
¶7. (U) The Chantal Colle Affair (reftel B) continues to fuel 
Guinea's rumor mill.  A few recent press reports have 
indicated that Colle may return to Guinea soon, under the 
explicit order of the president.  The Embassy has not seen 
any concrete evidence to support these claims. 
 
¶8.  (SBU) The new controversial director of the National 
Communications Commission (CNC), Tibou Kamara (Reftel C, 
addressed an official letter to the Minister of 
Communications regarding who the government should recognize 
as the official head of the Patronat, an organized 
association of Guinean businesses.  As written, the letter 
suggests that Kamara is supporting controversial millionaire 
Mamadou Syllah, although Kamara told PAO that this is not the 
 
CONAKRY 00000074  002 OF 002 
 
 
case.  Although the CNC is technically a regulatory body, 
Kamara may be weighing in on the Patronat issue in order to 
direct the national radio and television media to recognize 
only one Patronat so as to avoid public confusion. 
 
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COMMENT 
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¶9.  (SBU) Guinea's socio-political situation remains much the 
same as it has for the past few months.  The population's 
reaction to the long-anticipated fuel price increase has 
almost been a non-event, although the timely release of 
students to spring break may have temporarily muted a 
potentially volatile response.  On other fronts, bits and 
pieces of Guinea's political puzzle continue to emerge. 
These developments may be completely unrelated, but taken 
together, they help add dimension to a complex political 
dynamic.  END COMMENT. 
CARTER