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Viewing cable 09CONAKRY594, MILITARY FIRES ON DEMONSTRATORS DURING LARGE

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
09CONAKRY594 2009-09-28 15:20 2011-08-26 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED Embassy Conakry
VZCZCXRO6010
OO RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHRY #0594 2711520
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 281520Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4088
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
UNCLAS CONAKRY 000594 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM ASEC GV
SUBJECT: MILITARY FIRES ON DEMONSTRATORS DURING LARGE 
DEMONSTRATION AGAINST DADIS' CANDIDACY 
 
REF: CONAKRY 00590 
 
1.  Demonstrations organized by the Forces Vives on September 
28 in opposition to Dadis' candidacy (REFTEL) turned violent 
when soldiers, including those wearing red berets,  entered 
the stadium where the protestors gathered and fired into the 
crowd. While the number of casualties is still unknown, one 
contact at the stadium counted over 80 dead. Others report 
approximately 50 dead in and around the stadium.  Radio 
reports indicate a high number of casualties. 
 
2. On Sunday, September 27, the GOG took several unsucessful 
steps to prevent or diminish the impact of the planned 
demonstrations. Dadis announced that Monday, September 28th, 
the day that Guinea said "no" to to the French in 1958, would 
be recognized as a paid holiday.  In a separate communique, 
the Minister of Territorial Affairs and Political 
Administration issued a communique stating that all 
demonstrations in Guinea were prohibited until after October 
2nd.  However, the Forces Vives met on Sunday and issued 
their own communique that the march would continue as planned. 
 
3.  During their march to the stadium, demonstrators were 
confronted by security forces, comprised orignially by MOS 
police and MOD gendarmes, staged at various points around the 
city.   The crowd reportedly burned several MOS vehicles and 
set one gendarmerie office ablaze. The security forces were 
unable to stop the advancing crowd, who successfully arrived 
and entered the stadium.  Upon arrival, demonstrators chanted 
anti-Dadis slogans and prayed together for peace.  According 
to reports, the military arrived and confronted the political 
leaders for organizing the rally despite the announced 
holiday.  The military then began firing at the crowd. 
According to one eyewitness, security forces beat those who 
attempted to flee the stadium. 
 
4.  According to several sources, political leaders Cellou 
Dalein Diallo, Jean Marie Dore, Mouctar Diallo and Sidya 
Toure may have been arrested at the stadium. These reports 
are still unconfirmed, but it was reported on Familia FM that 
the leaders were being held by security forces. 
 
 
 
 
 
BROKENSHIRE