US threatens to cut aid to Guinea

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(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-12-25 15:47

WASHINGTON -- The United States said Wednesday it would suspend financial aid for Guinea if military junta refuses to restore a civilian democratic rule in the country.

"One of the things we want to see immediately is a restoration of a civilian democratic rule," said State Department spokesman Robert Wood, adding that Washington is following events closely and will decide its options in the coming days.

Earlier on Wednesday, soldiers attempting to take power in Guinea named their leader Moussa Camara as the country's new leader, and a 31-member national Council for Democracy and Development as the new ruling bloc.

When asked what those options might include, the spokesman said cutting-off US assistance for Guinea is "exactly an example of what we are looking at but we have not made any decision," because the situation is "fluid."

"We will be talking about that with our allies in the region and our European allies to see what pressure we can bring to bear, " said Wood.

Under an agreement signed this September by the Bush administration and the Guinean government, the United States would offer some 12 million dollars to reinforce democratic governance in Guinea through the organization of free and transparent elections, as well as other measures.

The agreement is to bring the total USAID contribution for the period 2006-2008 to more than 43 million dollars for its bilateral program in support of the mine-rich country.

In a later broadcast on state radio, Camara promised that the council, comprised of six civilians and 26 army officers, will organize "free, credible and transparent elections" in December 2010.

Guinea's government, however, said it has not been dissolved from power. Prime Minister Ahmed Tidiane Souare told reporters on Tuesday that he was still in charge and the civilian government has been trying to "settle this question of national importance."

Hours ahead of the coup attempt on Tuesday, Guinea's second president Conte died in the capital of Conakry. Conte ruled Guinea since a 1984 coup that followed the death of post-independence leader Ahmed Sekou Toure. He won elections in 1983, 1998 and 2003.

His death was announced by National Assembly President Aboubacar Sompare, who is to temporarily take over state affairs under the constitution while organizing a presidential election within 60 days. The Guniean government announced a national mourning of 40 days.