VZCZCXRO8802
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHRY #0511 2531709
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 091709Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2911
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS CONAKRY 000511 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
AF FOR PDAS PHILLIP CARTER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNGA GV
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER OF GUINEA TO ATTEND UNGA, REQUESTS 
MEETINGS IN WASHINGTON 
 
REF: CONAKRY 507 
 
 ¶1. (SBU) Foreign Minister Amadou Lamarana Bah told Charge 
September 9 that Prime Minister Souare would attend this 
year's UNGA between September 24 and 28. The Guinean 
delegation would also include Foreign Minister Bah, Minister 
of Security Mohamed Damba, and the Minister of Territorial 
Administration and Political Affairs, Sekou Bangoura. 
 
¶2. (SBU) Bah said Prime Minister Souare and the three 
ministers planned to be in Washington between September 22 
and 23. The FM requested Embassy assistance in arranging for 
a brief meeting between the PM and Secretary Rice, as well as 
suggestions for other high-level meetings for the Prime 
Minister. The FM stressed that even a 10-minute encounter 
with the Secretary would be welcome. He noted that the PM's 
upcoming visit to the US will the Prime Minister's first 
non-ceremonial international trip since taking office in May. 
(He previously visited China for the Olympics and the Gambia 
for Independence Day celebrations.) According to Bah, the 
Prime Minister would like to discuss bilateral issues, 
counter-narcotics assistance, military to military 
cooperation, and development assistance. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Foreign Minister Bah said he would likely accompany 
the PM throughout his UNGA/Washington visit. While in 
Washington Bah would like to meet with PDAS Phillip Carter, 
whom he knew as Ambassador to Guinea. He asked Embassy 
Conakry to help arrange this meeting. Bah told Charge that 
one of the topics he wishes to broach with US officials is 
the possibility of the GoG recognizing Israel. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Bah did not mention whom the Minister of Security 
and the Minister of Territorial Administration wished to 
meet, but it should be noted that the former is Guinea's top 
law-enforcement officer, and responsible for sacking a number 
of high officials implicated in narco-trafficking. He also 
launching the GoG's first real offensive aimed at stemming 
the tide of cocaine passing through Guinea (Reftel). The 
Minister of Territorial Administration and Political Affairs, 
Sekou Bangoura is also significant in that he will play a 
critical role in upcoming National Assembly elections. 
 
¶5. (SBU) Comment: The FM's request for USG assistance in 
crafting the delegation's visit to Washington offers us the 
opportunity to ensure that the Prime Minister and three 
important cabinet members receive important and coordinated 
messages from a number of different USG departments and 
agencies. Post will work with the Department on possible 
options for this visit. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BROKENSHIRE