Guinea Soldiers Shoot Dead 10 Protesters

Soldiers fired into a crowded stadium where demonstrators had gathered to protest against the West African nation's coup leader Monday, killing at least 10 people, an Associated Press reporter said. The protest in the capital's main football stadium drew some 50,000 people, with demonstrators chanting "We want true democracy." Red-bereted soldiers from the presidential guard later entered the stadium and fired into the crowd. An AP reporter counted at least 10 bodies. Tensions have risen amid rumors that military leader Capt. Moussa "Dadis" Camara may run in presidential elections scheduled for Jan. 31. Camara came to power in a coup last December, hours after longtime dictator Lansana Conte died, and said he would not run in the election. But Camara has recently said he has the right to run if he chooses. The international community already has cut off aid and frozen Guinea's membership in the African Union since the coup. Guinea, a country the size of Oregon, is the world's largest producer of bauxite, used to produce aluminum. But the nation's economy has deteriorated under corruption, inflation and high unemployment, and its 10 million people are among the world's poorest. � 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy.