VZCZCXRO1544
PP RUEHPA
DE RUEHRY #0302/01 1691439
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P 171439Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2664
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000302 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/17/2018 
TAGS: PGOV ASEC PMIL PREL ELAB GV
SUBJECT: MILITARY LOOTS POLICE OFFICES, BUT RELATIVE CALM 
RETURNS 
 
Classified By: POL/ECON CHIEF SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D 
 
¶1.  (SBU) SUMMARY.  After attacking the CMIS (Mobile Company 
for Security Intervention) headquarters and arresting up to 
45 police officials earlier today, elements of the military 
spent the afternoon moving through the downtown area, 
vandalizing and looting police offices.  Preliminary 
reporting suggests that the mutineers, under the leadership 
of Claude Pivi "Coplan," may be responsible for the looting. 
The Ministry of Defense is reportedly uninvolved and has told 
Coplan to get things under control.  As of 16:00, the 
situation does appear to be calming down as the soldiers 
return to the barracks with their loot.  Meanwhile, the prime 
minister met with Customs officials earlier today and is 
optimistic that Customs will resume operations tomorrow.  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) A source at the Conakry Central Prison told Pol LES 
that a group of soldiers ransacked all of the police offices 
that are co-located with the prison.  They did not actually 
destroy the prison itself, but there are a significant number 
of police offices at that site.  Source said that many police 
officers fled the scene, and others were arrested and taken 
away by the soldiers.  (COMMENT.  Poloff had a meeting some 
months ago with a police official at this site who said he 
had more than 300,000 euros, confiscated during a drug bust, 
sitting in his safe at the time.  END COMMENT). 
 
¶3.  (SBU) RSO teams report lootings at several different 
police stations throughout the city.  There are also reports 
of fuel stations closing down because some soldiers started 
helping themselves. 
 
¶4.  (SBU) From Camp Alpha Yaya, a contact reported that 
around 14:30, an ambulance carrying wounded soldiers and two 
trucks carrying computers, freezers, air conditioners, and 
other equipment returned to the camp.  Contact said that the 
equipment was looted from various police stations. 
 
¶5.  (S) According to another source, one of Coplan's brand 
new vehicles, which was reportedly given to him by President 
Conte, was burned last night.  Source said that Coplan blamed 
the police and said he would retaliate by destroying their 
offices the following day. 
 
¶6.  (S) A contact at the Ministry of Defense said that 
General Camara is blaming the mutineers for the looting, and 
reportedly called Coplan to tell him to get the situation 
under control.  Contact said that because the looting had not 
yet stopped, Camara was planning on sending a delegation to 
Camp Alpha Yaya to talk to them. 
 
¶7.  (C) During a telephone conversation with the Ambassador, 
Prime Minister Souare said that the arrested police will be 
treated appropriately, and intimated that he hopes that 
police forces will be able to return to their jobs soon. 
Souare said that the police had been negotiating with the GoG 
up until two soldiers were killed.  (COMMENT.  The 
Ambassador's impression from Souare was that the military 
unilaterally decided to confront the police, and that the PM 
had not issued any such instructions.  Furthermore, it seemed 
as if the PM is trying to contain the problem, but that the 
military, or elements of the military, may be operating 
independently.  END COMMENT). 
 
¶8.  (SBU) With respect to the Customs strike, a delegation of 
Customs officers met with the Prime Minister today, 
accompanied by the Chef d'Etat Major of the Army.  Customs 
contacts reported that they are demanding promotions, salary 
increases, undefined "specialized" status, and subsidized 
rice.  Contacts said that the PM told them the GoG would look 
into their demands, and asked that they be patient as the 
government needs time to address their issues.  He reportedly 
asked all Customs officials to return to work tomorrow. 
Contacts said that the delegation is unhappy with the meeting 
because they did not get anything concrete. 
 
¶9.  (C) When he spoke to the Ambassador, the PM confirmed 
that he had been in negotiations with Customs, noting that he 
expects them to return to work tomorrow.  The Ambassador said 
that it is important to have the airport functioning normally 
and getting Customs back on the job will send a positive 
message to the international community. 
 
¶10.  (SBU) As of 16:00, the situation in Conakry is 
relatively calm.  Much of the shooting has died down, and the 
soldiers have returned to the camps.  There is less traffic, 
but the roads are clear.  The airport remains open and 
 
CONAKRY 00000302  002 OF 002 
 
 
Embassy is hearing from Air France that they are considering 
bringing in yesterday's diverted flight. 
 
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COMMENT 
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¶11.  (S) The targeted military attack on CMIS headquarters 
may have been authorized by the Ministry of Defense, but the 
looting looks to have been orchestrated by Coplan and his 
mutineers.  Coplan's continued ability to act with impunity 
suggests that the military has little to no control over Camp 
Alpha Yaya.  Furthermore, the GoG may have a difficult time 
explaining why they cracked down immediately on the police 
for essentially doing the same thing the mutineers did a few 
weeks ago.  There is little overlap between the civilian and 
security sectors.  The Prime Minister appears to be almost 
completely removed from dealings with security forces.  END 
COMMENT. 
CARTER