By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/undpa1guinea112009.html
UNITED NATIONS, November 20 -- Guinea's strongman Moussa Dadis Camera is proposed to remain in power, by mediator Blaise Compaore. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said, in light of rapes committed by his troops, he must go. Inner City Press asked the UN about the role in the mediation, and position on Dadis Camera remaining in control. Video here, from Minute 14:38.
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's spokesperson Michele Montas said that she would not comment on an ongoing mediation. "Of course we play a role," she said, "Mr. Bassole plays a role."
Inner City Press asked if she meant Said Djinit. "Mr. Bassole as far as I know is leading both," Ms. Montas said.
Later on November 20, a senior UN official involved in the mediation laughed at the idea that Bassole was involved. It's Djinnit, he said. (The Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary General clarified this after the noon briefing). The official said that, on behalf of the UN, he had advised Compaore, "don't start with a non-starter," meaning, don't demand that Dadis Camera leave.
"There is an army behind him," the UN official said. "The army has their own interest and would just put another in." He suggested that Dadis could remain as a "cememonial" president, with all power in a prime minister.
So in this way, the UN confirms that they advise that the strongman must stay, if become undermine. Meanwhile the public (relations) position is different.
