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EMBASSY/CONSULATE ADDRESSES

Diplomatic Representation in US:
Ambassador: Mory Karamoko KABA
Embassy: 2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
Telephone: [1] (202) 483-9420
FAX: [1] (202) 986-4300

US Diplomatic Representation:
Ambassador: Patricia Moller
Embassy: 2nd Boulevard and 9th Avenue, Conakry
Mailing Address: B. P. 603, Conakry
Telephone: [224] 44 15 20 through 44 15 23
Fax: [224] 44 15 22

Embassy and Consulate Web Sites for Guinea

U.S. Embassy Web Site in Guinea
Embassy of Guinea in Washington DC


FOREIGN RELATIONS

Guinea's relations with other countries, including neighboring countries, have improved steadily since 1985. However, Guinea’s image with the international community was tarnished by the December 23, 2008 coup d’état and the violence of September 28, 2009. The African Union (AU), along with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a West African regional group, both condemned the coup and suspended Guinea’s membership in their respective organizations. The coup has also been condemned by the Nigerian, South African, Japanese, Canadian, French, and U.S. Governments, among others. Many bilateral assistance programs were suspended, if not after the coup, then after September 28, 2009. However, most partners have been encouraged by the January 15 Ouagadougou Accords and the setting up of a transitional government in Guinea, and are considering moving toward normalizing relations.

Guinea reestablished relations with France and Germany in 1975, and with neighboring Côte d'Ivoire and Senegal in 1978. Guinea has been active in efforts toward regional integration and cooperation, especially regarding the Organization of African Unity (now the African Union) and the Economic Organization of West African States (ECOWAS). Guinea takes its role in a variety of international organizations seriously and participates actively in their deliberations and decisions. Guinea has participated in both diplomatic and military efforts to resolve conflicts in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea-Bissau, and contributed contingents of troops to peacekeeping operations in all three countries as part of ECOMOG, the Military Observer Group of ECOWAS. Guinea has offered asylum to more than 700,000 Liberian, Sierra Leonean, and Bissauan refugees since 1990, despite the economic and environmental costs involved. Perhaps 90% or more of these refugees have since returned to their home countries.

The civil wars that engulfed Liberia and then Sierra Leone during the 1990s negatively affected relations between Guinea and these two fellow Mano River Union member countries. Guinea and Liberia accused each other of supporting opposition dissidents, and in late 2000 and early 2001, Guinean dissidents backed by the Liberian government and RUF rebels from Sierra Leone brutally attacked Guinea. These attacks caused over 1,000 Guinean deaths and displaced more than 100,000 Guineans. The attacks led to Guinea's support for the LURD (Liberians United For Reconciliation and Democracy) rebels in their attacks against the Liberian government of Charles Taylor. Taylor's departure for exile in August 2003 and the establishment of a new government in Liberia have led to a much improved relationship between the two countries.

Guinea belongs to the UN and most of its specialized related agencies, the African Union, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), African Development Bank (AFDB), Niger River Basin (NRB), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), the Mano River Union (MRU), Gambia River Basin Organization (OMVG), and the Nonaligned Movement (NAM).

U.S.-GUINEAN RELATIONS
The U.S. Government condemned the December 23, 2008 coup d’état and suspended all aid to Guinea, except for humanitarian assistance and programs in support of the democratic process. With the installation of a transition government in January 2010, the U.S. Government is considering expanding its current programs. Before the coup, the United States maintained close relations with Guinea. U.S. policy seeks to encourage Guinea's democratic reforms, its positive contribution to regional stability, and sustainable economic and social development.

The U.S. Mission in Guinea is composed of four agencies--Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Peace Corps, and the Department of Defense. Before suspending aid, the U.S. Mission managed a military assistance program that provided nearly $670,000 for military education, professionalization, language training programs, and health equipment purchases.

Guinea is now one of only five sustainable development missions in West Africa, with a core program that focused--before the suspension--on democracy and good governance generally, but with an emphasis in the sectors of health, education, and natural resource management. The mission also has significant health resources devoted directly to improving service delivery.

Peace Corps Guinea’s activities temporarily came to a halt in January 2007 due to national political unrest. The program resumed operations in July 2007, but again had to suspend activities in October 2009, and volunteers have not yet returned. Volunteers work in four project areas: secondary education, environment/agro-forestry, public health and HIV/AIDS prevention, and small enterprise development. Guinea has also had a strong Peace Corps Response program in previous years.

DEFENSE
Guinea's armed forces are divided into four branches--army, navy, air force, and gendarmerie--whose chiefs report to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The army is the largest of the four services. The navy has about 2,300 personnel and operates several small patrol craft and barges. Air force personnel total about 2,000; its equipment includes several Russian-supplied fighter planes and transport planes. Around 9,000 gendarmes are responsible for internal security.

Principal U.S. Officials
Ambassador--Patricia Moller
Deputy Chief of Mission--Kent Brokenshire
USAID Director--Glenn Slocum
Peace Corps Director--Dan Evans
Acting Public Affairs Officer--Molly Sanchez-Crowe

The U.S. Embassy is located in Koloma, Conakry, east of Hamdallaye Circle. The mailing address is B.P. 603, Conakry, Guinea (tel: 42-08-61/thru 68; fax: 42-08-73).


TRAVEL ADVISORIES

To obtain the latest Travel Advisory Information for Guinea check the U.S. State Department Consular Information Sheet.


TRAVEL TIPS

Driving TBA
Currency (GNF) Guinean Franc
Electrical 220 Volts
Telephones Country Code 224, City Code, Fria 24+4D, Boki 31+4D, Conakry 41+4D



Travel Warning
Visitors are strongly recommended not to travel to the borders with Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire and Sierra Leone. For further information seek official advice.

Time: GMT.

Electricity: 220 volts, 50Hz.

Telephone: IDD service is available. Country code: 224. The communication is relatively poor and outgoing international calls must be made through the operator. Limited telephone and fax lines are usually available 1800-0600.

Climate: The climate is tropical and humid with a wet and a dry season. Guinea is one of the wettest countries in West Africa. The wet season lasts from May to October; dry season lasts from November to May.

Required clothing: Tropical or washable cottons throughout the year. A light raincoat or umbrella is needed during the rainy season.

Food & Drink: Restaurants, except in the capital where Western-style food is available, generally serve local dishes including jollof rice, stuffed chicken with groundnuts and fish dishes. These are usually served with rice and may be spicy. Staples are cassava, yams and maize. Guineans are fond of very hot maize soup, served from calabashes.
Main hotels, mostly in the capital, have reasonable restaurants where a wide variety of alcoholic beverages is served, including good West African brands of beer. This is also available in local bars.

Photography: A permit (applied for in advance) has to be obtained from the Ministère de l’Intérieur et de la Sécurité when photographing government buildings, military and transportation facilities or public works. It is inadvisable to photograph buildings at present, and visitors should always ask local people if they want to photograph them.

Tipping: A 5 per cent service charge will usually be included in the bill.

Currency: Guinea Franc (FG) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of FG5000, 1000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of FG25, 10, 5 and 1.

Currency exchange: Hotels will accept some foreign currencies in payment. Inter-bank fund transfers are frequently difficult, if not impossible, to accomplish.

Credit & debit cards: Limited acceptance. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.


CUSTOMS/DUTIES

Currency....................Must be declared on arrival

Tobacco.....................1000 cigarettes or 250 cigars or 1000 grams of tobacco

Liquor........................1 bottle of alcoholic beverage (opened)

Perfume.....................Reasonable for personal use

Cameras....................No restrictions

Film...........................Reasonable for personal use

Agriculture items.......Refer to consulate

Gifts...........................Reasonable amount



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