Programs and Events 2009
Acting Assistant Secretary of State Carter Calls for Elections and Returns to Civilian Rule in Guinea
In a videoconference with the Guinean press on January 28th, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Phillip Carter III called on the CNDD to hold elections as soon as possible in 2009. He reiterated that United States condemned the December 23rd military coup and suspended assistance, with the exception of humanitarian and democracy-related aid, and made it clear that this policy will continue until democratic elections are held and civilian rule is restored in Guinea. Carter urged Guinean civil society to take an active leadership role and define a unified strategic vision in order to crystallize civilian pressure on the military junta to fulfill its commitment to a democratic transition.
Leading Guinean journalists, communications officers of major political parties, as well as several government representatives, including the Minister of Information, Justin Morel Jr., attended the hour-long videoconference, during which Acting Assistant Secretary Carter responded openly and directly to questions regarding U.S. policy toward the military government in Guinea. The video-conference provided Guinean journalists and political party representatives an important opportunity to speak directly to one of the Department of State’s highest ranking diplomats to seek answers about U.S. policy toward Guinea. Participants took full advantage of this unique opportunity and the result was a dynamic and informative video-conference that was widely reported on in the local media.