Wounded Guinea Military Leader Arrives In Burkina Faso

The wounded leader of Guinea's military junta, Capt Moussa Dadis Camara, has arrived in Burkina Faso from Morocco. Eyewitnesses said Capt Camara, who took power in a coup just over a year ago, had to be helped off the plane. Burkina Faso's leader is mediating in Guinea's political crisis which began after security forces fired on pro-democracy protesters in September. Capt Camara had been in hospital in the Moroccan city of Rabat after being shot in the head by an aide in December. A recent UN report held Capt Camara responsible for the brutal suppression of the rally. Camara 'lucid' An adviser to Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore told the Associated Press that Capt Camara had travelled to the country "to finish his medical treatment". AFP news agency quoted an aide to Mr Compaore saying that Capt Camara, who has not been seen in public since the attempt on his life, was "lucid and speaking". After a recent visit to Capt Camara, Guinea's interim leader Sekouba Konate said his life was not in danger. Western diplomats have been putting intense pressure on the country's junta to restore power to civilian rule, some suggesting that Capt Camara should not return to Guinea because it would destabilise the country. Earlier, the UN West African envoy warned that Guinea's conflict could spill over into the region if left unaddressed. Said Djinnit told the UN Security Council he was encouraged that Guinea's interim military leader General Konate had begun talks with opposition parties about a transition to civilian rule. But Mr Djinnit stressed it was crucial that this be accompanied by reform of the security forces.He urged the UN and others to respond to Gen Konate's call for support to train and reorganise the army.