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CONAKRY, Guinea (AP) - President Lansana Conte agreed Saturday to replace his unpopular defense minister, a key demand of soldiers leading a three-day-old military revolt, according to a decree read on state radio.
On Friday, the embattled dictator also capitulated to the soldiers' demand for higher wages, a move that indicated Conte's willingness to change course to keep the volatile troops on his side. A spokesman for Conte did not say how much the wages would rise.
The revolt began Thursday when word leaked out that only officers with 14 years or more service would be promoted, prompting the junior officers to mutiny. Earlier in the week, soldiers had circulated a petition calling for higher wages and the resignation of the defense minister.
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