était hier à Bamako. Elle venait de Guinée Bissau et était conduite par le 1er vice-président du CNDD, le général de brigade Mamadou Tato Camara, récemment nommé ministre de la Sécurité et de la Protection civile. La délégation guinéenne apportait un message du nouveau chef de l'État guinéen, le capitaine Moussa Dadis Camara, au président de la République, Amadou Toumani Touré qui l’a reçue en audience à Koulouba, avant son départ pour Kayes et la clôture de la Biennale artistique et culturelle.

Coming from Guinea Bissau, the CNDD of La Guinea, led by Brigadier General Mamadou Tato Camara (is everybody named Camara in this friggin place?) who was recently named minister of national security and civil protection, meets with President ATT yesterday in Bamako. The brigadier General brings a message for ATT from President Dadis Camara who was received at the palace in Koulouba prior to ATT's travel to the Biennial closing ceremonies in Kayes. 

Interrogés par la presse à sa sortie d'audience, Mamadou Tato Camara a indiqué être venu expliquer au président de la République, les raisons profondes qui ont poussé l'armée guinéenne à prendre le pouvoir. « Nous disons à l'opinion internationale que ce qui s'est passé en Guinée n’est pas du tout un coup d'État. L'Assemblée nationale n’avait pas de légitimité pour assurer la transition. Si on avait tenté d’appliquer la Constitution, le peuple n’allait pas accepter.

Responding to press questions, Brigadier General Camara indicated that he came to explain to ATT the profound reasons behind the army's intervention in La Guinea. We share with the international community that what obtained in La GUinea was not a mere Coup d'etat. ( I figured as much). The national assembly did not have the requisite legitimacy to to ensure the transition. (JDAM and Cherno, this makes some sense, but it was a national assembly composed by the miltary led PUP). If we had tried to apply the constitutional decrees, the people of La Guinea will not have accepted them.

J'ai expliqué tout cela au président ainsi que les orientations du CNDD qui quittera le pouvoir en 2010. Cette échéance coïncide avec la fin du mandat du président défunt Lansana Conte',

I have explained this to President ATT as well as the programme of action of the CNDD which will leave office in 2010. This schedule will coincide with the end of Lansana Conte's mandate.

[It appears to me therefore that the CNDD asserts that Lansana was elected in the last elections in a free and fair process and because Lansana was a military president, the military had an obligation to complete his term in office. The other items about corruption and nepotism therefore are secondary]

Nous sommes prêts à mettre en place un gouvernement qui sera conduit par un civil. Ce qui est d’ailleurs déjà en cours puisque le Premier ministre de la transition a été nommé hier en la personne Kabiné Komara. Après les élections législatives, nous allons régler la question de la Constitution, organiser les élections présidentielles et passer le pouvoir aux civils", a promis l'émissaire du nouveau pouvoir guinéen.

We are ready to put in place a government to be run by civilians. That is already in process witness the civilian prime minister we have just appointed in the person of Kabine' Komara. After legislative elections, we will correct the constitutional question, organise presidential elections, and then transfer power to the civilian leader so elected.

[Commentary by Haruna: OK. This makes a bit more sense. So there will be legislative elections prior to the presidential elections in 2010. And the fact that the constitution that mandated presidential elections within 60 days of Lansana's passing is itself Illegitimate according to the Brigadier General, therefore warranted their intervention. Well this sounds good, except that the reason for their intervention was to complete Lansana's term in office which was certified by elections held according to that same illegitimate constitution. I know they must have deliberated on this reasoning but it doesn't hold water legally. Now the added risk of ethnic conflict (which will have been inured by the onerous rule of the military for 24 years) could be somewhat understandable. I do have this question therefore: 60 days without undue interruption by the military, is that wiser and more benign than 6 months legis. and 2 years presidential? Or is the military counting on the show of arms and a military caretaker government to forestall the imminent ethnic crisis?????] If the people of La GUinea accept this schedule, I am therefore convinced to supoort this military intervention (dit STEALTH COUP). I will add the caveat that ATT should not therefore encumber Mali with any bilateral agreement with La Guinea to exceed 2 years and renewable only by a civilian adminstration in La Guinea in 2 years. Some measure of review to accompany the CNDD through the legislative elections first, and then presidential elections in 2010. This will reassure the people of La Guinea of support of the people of Mali in their quest for constitutional/credible government. I do feel more pleased with CNDD all things considered JDAM and Jados]

Après l’entretien avec le président Touré, Mamadou Tato Camara et les membres de sa délégation ont aussitôt rallié l'aéroport. De Bamako, la délégation devait se rendre à Monrovia et Freetown, avant de regagner Conakry.

The CNDD delegation goes to Monrovia, Liberia, then to Freetown, SierraLeone before returning to Conakry.

 
Initialement, c’est le capitaine Moussa Dadis Camara en personne qui devait effectuer la tournée. Mais il a dû surseoir à ce voyage car le président sénégalais, Abdoulaye Wade, était attendu hier à Conakry.

A.O. Diallo