VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHRY #0581/01 2641605
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
R 211605Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4068
INFO RUEHFN/AMEMBASSY FREETOWN 0036
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC

S E C R E T CONAKRY 000581 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR DS/IP/AF 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/21/2029 
TAGS: ASEC KDEM PGOV PREL PMIL GV
SUBJECT: CONAKRY SECURITY SUMMARY - SEPTEMBER 21, 2009 
 
REF: A. CONAKRY 545 
     ¶B. CONAKRY 551 
     ¶C. CONAKRY 552 
     ¶D. CONAKRY 556 
     ¶E. CONAKRY 557 
     ¶F. CONAKRY 574 
     ¶G. CONAKRY 577 
 
Classified By: RSO Philip W. Nazelrod for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
¶1.  (S)  The security situation in Guinea remains calm.  The 
last two weeks witnessed a visit of two Heads of State, the 
threat of a counter-coup and mass protests, and the 
conclusion of Ramadan.  The following serves as a summary of 
significant security-related events from September 4 - 20, 
¶2009. 
 
--------------------------- 
An Announcement To Come...? 
--------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (C)  CNDD President Moussa Dadis Camara (Dadis) privately 
announced his candidacy for Guinea,s presidency during a 
meeting with the International Contact Group for Guinea 
(ICG-G).  To date, Dadis has not officially announced his 
candidacy to the general population although several media 
outlets have reported his intentions. Despite the lack of an 
official announcement, many Guineans are making plans to 
respond. (Reftel G) 
 
--------- 
Simmering 
--------- 
 
¶3.  (C)  On September 12, 2009, Senegalese President Wade and 
Liberian President Sirleaf-Johnson met with Dadis in Conakry. 
 The results of the meeting are unclear although Dadis 
treated Wade and Sirleaf-Johnson to organized demonstrations 
stacked with supporters calling for Dadis to run for 
President.  Of note, President Wade,s statement to Guineans 
irked the youth community causing key contacts to feel 
betrayed. (Reftel E). 
 
¶4.  (C)  Leaders of youth groups opposed to Dadis, rule met 
with Embassy contacts and confided their concerns about (1) 
the security situation in Guinea and (2) fears of  death 
squads, believed to be training near Conakry on orders of 
CNDD leadership.  (Reftel B) 
 
¶5.  (U)  September 13, 2009 saw the arrival of Cellou Dalein 
Diallo, the leader of the UFDG political party of which the 
majority of supporters are Peuhl/Fulani.  Greeted by 
thousands of supporters, Diallo is a former Prime Minister 
under the Conte regime.(Reftel D). 
 
¶6.  (C)  Various youth groups have voiced their intentions to 
demonstrate against the CNDD after Ramadan.  Further, media 
outlets such as Aminata published on September 20 the 
possibility of demonstrations in Conakry on September 28 or 
31 in opposition to Dadis, possible candidacy. 
 
----------------- 
A Bridge Too Far? 
----------------- 
 
¶7.  (S)  Post held an EAC meeting on September 11, 2009 to 
discuss the security situation as it relates to a 
communicated counter-coup movement.  While the movement 
appeared robust in its plans and material, no known attempts 
have been made to disrupt the CNDD government. Further, 
sources claim that Dadis has increased his night time 
movements in and around Conakry.  (Reftel C and Septel). 
 
------------------------ 
Kidnapping & Convocation 
------------------------ 
 
¶8.  (U)  Suspected black-market currency exchanger Habib Bah 
was reportedly kidnapped by  men in uniform, outside a 
mosque in the Dixin suburb of Conakry.  Found later in 
Kindia, Bah claimed he was held for three days and only 
released after paying a ransom of $100,000 USD. 
 
¶9.  (U)  Oil company giant, Total SA, is one of only two fuel 
distributors in Guinea.  The General Manager in Guinea, 
Benoit Gaborit, was convoked to Camp Alpha Yaya ostensibly to 
answer questions about Total SA,s relationship with the 
Conte regime.  On September 16, military officers raided 
Total,s offices in an effort to locate Gaborit.  The 
officers were met with resistance by Total,s local employees 
who, in a show of support, closed all Total gas stations in 
Conakry.  On September 17, the gas stations were re-opened 
and Dadis announced that only convocations issued by the 
police and gendarmes are valid.  (NOTE:  Dadis, announcement 
implies the convocation issued by the military officers above 
was invalid and unenforceable.  However, such convocations 
were pervasive in the early months of 2009 as military 
officers under Minister Claude Pivi administered a parallel 
and illegal court which largely targeted international 
companies operating in Guinea. END NOTE). 
 
------- 
Caddell 
------- 
 
¶10.  (SBU)  The former Caddell construction company workers 
(who helped construct the NEC) continue their push for monies 
from Caddell Construction company.  Their claims, being 
voiced to Caddell,s attorney in Guinea, include the demand 
for $9M USD for unpaid wages.  One individual, claiming to be 
a former Caddell employee, was arrested by gendarmes after 
one gendarme witnessed him conducting surveillance on Mission 
vehicles.  The Chief of Staff of the Gendarmerie, Major 
Balde, stated such acts by the workers are an embarrassment 
and illegal.  Balde ordered the workers to meet with him on 
September 21 or 22 to end the claims once and for all.  If 
the workers refuse or are discovered near the chancery, they 
will be arrested for breech of peace. (Reftel F) 
 
 
------- 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶11.  (SBU)  Now that Ramadan has officially concluded, the 
stage has been set for the demonstrations promised by such 
groups as Les Forces Vives and the Movement Dadis Must Leave 
(MDDQ). Youth groups continue to align both politically and 
ethnically while the Police (and Gendarmes) increase their 
presence at key intersections and neighborhood rallying 
points. 
 
¶12.  (S)  Post remains alert in response to the threatened 
counter-coup and continues to operate with already heightened 
security measures in place. 
BROKENSHIRE