VZCZCXRO1500
PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMA RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO
DE RUEHRY #0706 3101551
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 061551Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4216
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE

UNCLAS CONAKRY 000706 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV GV
SUBJECT: COMMISSION OF INQUIRY ADVANCE TEAM ARRIVES IN 
CONAKRY 
 
REF: CONAKRY 667 
 
¶1. (SBU) A four-member advance team arrived in Conakry late 
last week to lay the groundwork for the UN Commission of 
Inquiry expected in December. During a November 5 meeting of 
G-8 representatives in Conakry, UN advance team member Julien 
Attakla-Ayinon, a Togo-based UN official with the High 
Commission on Human Rights, told resident Chiefs of Mission 
that the team's purpose is to secure lodging, offices, 
vehicles, phones and other requirements for the mission. The 
team was hoping to rent a building that would offer privacy 
and discreet entries for confidential visits by witnesses. 
 
¶2. Attakla-Ayinon said the Commission will arrive in Conakry 
between November 24 and 25, and will spend the next 10 days 
investigating the September 28 massacre, in presidential 
guard soldiers opened fire at un-armed pro democracy 
demonstrators who had gathered inside a soccer stadium, 
reportedly killing over a 150. Following the shooting, 
soldier systematically raped an unknown number of women. The 
Commission will consist of three commissioners named by the 
UNSYG. They include former Algerian Foreign Minister Mohammed 
Bedjaoui, and two women, former Burundian minister of 
solidarity, human rights and gender Kayiramirwa, and Ms. 
Patten, member of the UN committee for the elimination of 
discrimination against women. 
 
¶3. The Commission will be supported by a technical staff of 
12-14 people, which will include criminal investigators, 
ballistic experts and others. The Commission is expected to 
complete its inquiry by December 5. It will then travel to 
Geneva to draft the its report, which is expected to be 
delivered to the UNSYG on December 15 or 16. A number of COMs 
commented that the date is significant since the first 
anniversary of the coup is December 23. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Attakla-Ayinon said security of the witnesses is a 
major consideration, and the advanced team is looking to rent 
vehicles with shaded windows, buy clothing and headgear to 
conceal the faces of witnesses, and take other precautions. 
The UN is paying particular attention to the special needs of 
rape victims, ensuring that their testimony is given in a 
private setting to women investigators. He added that the UN 
would likely leave a team behind to ensure that the 
government does not attempt to identify and retaliate against 
witnesses once the Commission departs. 
 
¶5. The same commission will also travel to Dakar where a 
number of rape victims have fled. Attakla-Ayinon said the 
Commission has written assurances from junta leader Dadis 
Camara that it will receive the full cooperation of the GoG. 
Attakla-Ayinon said the Commission will allowed to meet or 
question anyone it chooses including members of the CNDD, 
military, and police. 
 
 
Moller