VZCZCXRO1949
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHRY #0668 3081657
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 031657Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3113
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC

UNCLAS CONAKRY 000668 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC PGOV GV
SUBJECT: CONAKRY DEMONSTRATIONS CONTINUE INTO THE EARLY 
EVENING 
 
¶1.  (SBU) Random, spontaneous demonstrations continued 
throughout the day in Conakry, effectively shutting down 
major traffic intersections.  There have been occasional 
reports of security forces firing into the air, but no 
indications that security forces are firing directly at 
crowds.  As of 1630, Embassy was still receiving reports of 
unrest in various parts of the city. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Around 1330, approximately 250 to 300 youths were 
marching in protest between Bambeto Circle and Kipe, passing 
directly in front of the Embassy.  Police responded to the 
scene, effectively forcing the crowd to divert to a dirt road 
behind the Embassy.  A/RSO witnessed a MAMBA police officer 
(police special unit) flogging one of the demonstrators. 
Police forces sporadically fired into the air, and the 
demonstrators eventually dispersed. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) At one point, the RSO invited the small contingent 
of gendarmes, who are assigned by the GoG to guard the 
Embassy, to enter the Embassy compound since it was more 
secure.  One of the gendarmes refused and was cheering on the 
protestors from the sidelines. 
 
¶4.  (SBU) Bambeto traffic circle, which is located just up 
the hill from the Embassy, has been volatile throughout the 
day.  At approximately 1400, protestors detained the French 
DATT, who was driving in a vehicle with diplomatic plates. 
He reportedly descended from his vehicle and gave up the cash 
he was carrying.  He was then allowed to get back in his 
vehicle and leave the area.  The French DATT told Embassy 
DATT that several uniformed security officers were present, 
but that they did not intervene. 
 
¶5.  (SBU) A youth leader told DATT that one youth leader had 
been killed during the day, and five injured.  Contact had 
personally seen the body. 
 
¶6.  (SBU) RSO spoke briefly with the new Minister of Security 
earlier this afternoon.  The Minister said that "things will 
get better," but did not seem to have any specific ideas 
about how to resolve the security situation.  With respect to 
the fuel price issue, the Minister said that the GoG does not 
intend to reduce the price any further, and that the labor 
unions initially agreed to the current 5,500 GnF price level. 
 However, he added that a union representative planned to go 
on the radio later this evening demanding further price 
reductions. 
 
¶7.  (SBU) The labor unions were unable to meet during the day 
due to transportation issues and the general unrest. 
 
¶8.  (SBU) Airport contacts report that the airport remains 
open and that no flights have been canceled.  They noted that 
the airlines are watching the situation closely.  (NOTE.  Air 
France is scheduled to fly into Conakry tonight at 20:10. 
END NOTE). 
 
¶9.  (SBU) The Embassy's military liaison officer has been 
downtown at Camp Samory Toure all day.  He reported that the 
roads just beyond the Ministry of Defense are blocked, and 
that there is significant protest activity in the downtown 
area.  Contact said that the soldiers are staying in the 
camps, although DATT saw a small contingent of Red Berets 
(presidential guards) on route to Bambeto Circle around 
15:00.  The gendarmes have been deployed to various 
locations, but are generally deferring to the police for 
crowd control.  According to contact, the Ministry of Defense 
is trying to organize transportation to get people home, 
rather than maintaining a contingency force on the bases. 
 
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COMMENT 
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¶10.  (SBU) Although security forces have been out dispersing 
crowds, the protestors generally wait, regroup, and then 
resume protest activity elsewhere.  There have not been any 
reports of widespread lawlessness such as vandalism or 
looting.  Embassy convened an EAC at 15:30 (reported septel) 
and will continue to monitor the situation.  END COMMENT. 
RASPOLIC