VZCZCXRO2176
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHRY #0146/01 0651326
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 061326Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3514
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000146 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM SNAR ELAB GV
SUBJECT: GUINEA POST-COUP:  A POLITICAL ROUNDUP FOR 18 
FEBRUARY TO 5 MARCH 
 
REF: CONAKRY 0131 
 
¶1.  (SBU) SUMMARY.  Politics in Guinea continue to be fluid 
since the coup d'etat on 23 December 2008.  Given these 
circumstances, Post will periodically transmit roundups of 
significant political and economic events not covered in 
other reporting.  This roundup covers the period between 18 
February and 5 March, and includes plans for Dadis' 
inauguration ceremony, an illegal search of a labor union 
leader's private residence, creation of a National Audits 
Commission, and calls for the creation of a national 
commercial airline.  END SUMMARY. 
 
------------------ 
INAUGURATION PLANS 
------------------ 
 
¶2.  (SBU) In late February, the CNDD formally established a 
committee to organize Moussa Dadis Camara's presidential 
inauguration ceremony.  According to sources, the committee 
is tasked with organizing cultural and sporting activities to 
celebrate the event.  In addition, the committee will handle 
protocol, security, reception of foreign dignitaries, and 
media coverage.  A date for the ceremony has not been 
announced.  Some contacts are questioning why Dadis needs a 
formal ceremony if he does not plan to stay in office.  On 
March 3, the CNDD announced over national television that 
people had been going around to collect financial donations 
from individuals and companies for the ceremony.  A CNDD 
spokesperson said that no such collection had been authorized 
and promised to provide a national "hotline" phone number 
that citizens could call to report such activities. 
 
---------------------------- 
OUSMANE CONTE ALIVE AND WELL 
---------------------------- 
 
¶3.  (U) Beginning February 28, rumors that Ousmane Conte, 
drug kingpin and son of the late President Conte, had died 
after being picked up by the CNDD on narcotics charges were 
circulating widely throughout the capital.  On March 3, 
Ousmane himself announced over national radio that he was 
alive and well.  He advised the public to stop spreading 
rumors and lies. 
 
--------------------- 
REASSURING THE TROOPS 
--------------------- 
 
¶4.  (SBU) The week of March 2, CNDD member and Minister of 
Defense, General Sekouba Konate, reportedly conducted a tour 
of Conakry's military garrisons in order to talk to the 
troops and assure them of the CNDD's commitment to improve 
their general living conditions.  Konate urged the troops to 
respect military discipline and hierarchy. 
 
---------------------------------- 
SEARCH AT UNION LEADER'S RESIDENCE 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶5.  (SBU) While union leader Hadja Rabiatou Diallo was out of 
town, an official from the Office for Anti-Narcotics and High 
Crimes, accompanied by several men in military uniform, 
searched her private residence in Conakry on March 3. 
Rabiatou told Pol LES that the officials did not have a 
search warrant, but told her housekeeper that they were going 
to search the premises for narcotics.  According to Rabiatou, 
the search was precipitated by the negative reaction of some 
members of the CNDD to her strong public stance against 
narcotics, and because of her role as a prominent member of 
Les Forces Vives.  She told Pol LES that the CNDD was trying 
to intimidate her.  (COMMENT.  Sensitive sources indicate 
that Rabiatou may be under investigation because she bought a 
house in Europe.  END COMMENT). 
 
--------------- 
NATIONAL AUDITS 
--------------- 
 
¶6.  (U) On March 3, Dadis formally created a National Audit 
Commission, composed of three unidentified officials.  The 
Commission is reportedly responsible for defining how the 
audits will be conducted, reviewing financial records, 
consulting with independent audit firms, and conducting 
unannounced visits to government offices.  The Commission 
will get to keep 10% of the debts it collects from 
individuals and companies. 
 
 
CONAKRY 00000146  002 OF 002 
 
 
------------------ 
A NATIONAL AIRLINE 
------------------ 
 
¶7.  (U) During a ministerial cabinet meeting on March 4, the 
Government of Guinea authorized the Minister of Transport to 
create a national airline company.  The Minister reportedly 
argued that there is no reason for Guinea not to have a 
commercial airline since it possesses the necessary 
infrastructure.  The Ministry anticipates putting out a call 
for bids. 
 
--------------- 
LOWERING PRICES 
--------------- 
 
¶8.  (U) Effective March 4, the Guinean Butchers' Association 
agreed to reduce the price of beef from 16,000 GnF ($3.48) to 
14,000 GnF ($3.04) per kilo.  The decision was reportedly 
reached after the Association met with the Secretary General 
of the Ministry of Commerce.  A contact told Econ LES that 
the CNDD had asked the Association to reduce the price in 
order to reflect reduced transportation costs.  Word on the 
street is that Guineans want the price pushed even lower to 
10,000 GnF per kilo ($2.17). 
 
¶9.  (U) Also effective March 4, the Guinean Government 
officially lowered the price of fuel from 4,800 GnF ($1.04) 
to 4,500 GnF ($.98) per liter.  The Minister of Commerce 
announced that the reduction reflected the continuing decline 
in world oil prices. 
 
----------------- 
NARCOTICS ARRESTS 
----------------- 
 
¶10.  (SBU) High-profile arrests related to narcotics 
trafficking continue (reftel).  Sources indicate that at 
least 30 people are being detained at Camp Alpha Yaya. 
 
------- 
COMMENT 
------- 
 
¶11.  (SBU) Dadis continues to make regular public appearances 
while issuing new decrees and announcements although the pace 
has been somewhat slower than in previous weeks.  Much of the 
CNDD's focus appears to have shifted to anti-narcotics 
efforts.  Members of the CNDD made little to no mention of 
elections or a transition timeline, but Les Force Vives met 
to develop a proposal they plan to present to Dadis within 
the next few weeks.  END COMMENT. 
 
RASPOLIC