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UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 000195 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
C O R R E C T E D  COPY (DELETED THE CLASSIFIED BY STATEMENT 
                         LINE AND CHANGE THE PARAGRAH NUMBERS 
                         WITHIN THIS MESSAGE.) 
 
STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/W, AF/RSA, IO/UNP, AND NEA/MAG 
PARIS FOR WBAIN 
LONDON FOR PLORD 
NSC FOR MGAVIN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV AU
SUBJECT: AU Summit - A/S Carson's Meeting with Burkina Faso 
President Campaore 
 
This message is from USAU Ambassador Michael A. Battle. 
 
¶1. (SBU) January 31, 2010; 20:00; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 
 
¶2. (SBU) SUMMARY.  A/S Carson thanked Burkinabe President Blaise 
Campaore for his leadership in returning Guinea to civilian rule. 
President Campaore was appreciative and echoed the need for 
continued work and partnership to implement a peaceful, democratic 
transition in Guinea-Conakry.  He stated that he had assigned a 
senior Burkinabe military official to help guide the Guinean 
military reorganization process.  President Campaore was also 
amenable to the idea of an observer force lead by ECOWAS or other 
regional actors to reassure civilians and act as a watchdog during 
the transition to democratic rule.  Both parties expressed 
intentions to work together towards implementation of the 
Ouagadougou Accord.  END SUMMARY. 
 
¶3. (SBU) A/S Carson extended greetings from President Obama and 
 Secretary Clinton, thanking President Campaore for his help on 
Guinea.  He expressed the gratitude of the USG for Burkina Faso's 
actions to help put Guinea-Conakry back on the path of democratic, 
civilian rule.  A/S Carson reiterated the USG's belief that Captain 
Moussa Dadis Camara's presence in Guinea would be a disruptive force 
in the democratic transition process.  He also expressed the 
willingness of the USG to help Burkina Faso implement the 
Ouagadougou Accord and foster a peaceful, democratic transition - 
notably through assistance in restructuring the Guinean military. 
A/S Carson urged President Campaore to continue guiding the process, 
noting the regional importance of a democratic transition in 
Guinea. 
 
¶4. (SBU) President Campaore echoed the thanks of A/S Carson, 
acknowledging that progress on the Guinea issue is due to a team 
effort.   Campaore noted Guinea has taken the essential steps toward 
a democratic transition, but that the situation remains fragile.  He 
agreed with A/S Carson's concerns about the return of Camara and the 
challenge of restructuring the Army.  President Campaore said he 
assigned a senior Burkinabe military official to help guide the 
Guinean military reorganization process.  He expressed concern at 
the lack of a civilian political class and deep divisions within in 
the Guinean Army.  Campaore underscored the challenges of getting 
cooperation amongst the disparate political forces.  He highlighted 
the need to remain vigilant and guide Guinea through this difficult 
transition. 
 
¶5. (SBU) A/S Carson applauded the "appropriate and correct" action 
of Burkina Faso.  He agreed with the need to reassure the Guinean 
military.  Carson also affirmed that the USG would continue to 
encourage all parties to respect the electoral process, giving 
Guinea a chance to transform itself into a strong, democratic 
society.  Carson reiterated USG commitment to helping reform the 
Guinean military and supported Burkina Faso's intent to send a 
high-level official to deal with this challenge.  Carson also 
floated the idea of an ECOWAS or other regional observer force, 
consisting of 30-40 civilian and military officials.  This force 
would be an augmented diplomatic corps rather than a peacekeeping 
force, working to reassure civilians and act as a watchdog against 
any potential military excesses.  A/S Carson closed by urging 
Campaore to remain focused on Guinea and reaffirming the 
appreciation and thanks of the USG for Burkina Faso's work in moving 
Guinea along a democratic path. 
 
¶6. (SBU) President Campaore responded to the observer force comment 
by noting the provisions of the Ouagadougou Accord for 
military-civilian observers.  He vowed to foster implementation of 
the Ouagadougou Accord.  In closing, President Campaore expressed a 
desire to keep in touch with the United States on this issue. 
 
¶7. (U) A/S Carson has approved this message. 
 
YATES