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May 12, 2007

Guinea President Dismisses Defense Minister
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1771DF3:A6F02AD83191E160A3CD4DA01E072C089574F7DCC14957C0 Lansana Conte
fired his defense minister, other top army officials after week of
sometimes-violent protests by soldiers





Lansana Conte (2002 photo)Guinea President Lansana Conte has fired his
defense minister and other top army officials after a week of
sometimes-violent protests by soldiers.

Guinea state radio reports Saturday that President Conte has replaced
Defense Minister Arafan Camara with General Bailo Dialo.  Reports from
the main military base near the capital, Conakry say soldiers openly
celebrated upon hearing the news.

Soldiers have held protests for the past several days demanding unpaid
wages and calling for the military leaders to be replaced. The
soldiers demonstrated in the capital and several towns across the
country, often firing guns into the air. At least five people were
killed by stray bullets.

The soldiers' protest earlier this month, with nightly rampages of
shooting and looting.  They have been demanding a total of $100,000 in
overdue salary increases, they say President Conte promised them 11
years ago, but never paid.

Mr. Conte has been in power since 1984, despite advancing age and
illness.  Military loyalty was a key factor in enabling him to survive
violent strikes this year, and any sign of weakening support by the
armed forces would be a threat to his political survival and that of a
new government formed less than three months ago.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


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