June 30, 2008

The Ivorian press today reported on the June 27 revolt by dissident followers of a New Forces’ military commander, who was sacked a few weeks ago. The Ivorian peace process, especially the question of funding for the upcoming presidential election and government’s anti-corruption campaign were the other top stories in today’s Ivorian press.

1. Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party): A prominent story in this paper said that "one person was killed and two others injured, when supporters of Kone Zakaria launched a revolt in the west-central cities of Vavoua and Seguela on June 27." According to the paper, the aim of this uprising was to press for the return of Kone Zakaria, a former New Forces’ military commander, who was sacked a few weeks ago for "indiscipline" by the leadership of the former Ivorian rebel movement. The paper also said that the disgruntled soldiers were also demanding the payment of their disarmament allowances and that calm has returned to Vavoua and Seguela as of yesterday.

2. Reporting on the same event, Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) said that the mutineers are still holding hostage some New Forces’ military commanders in Vavoua and Seguela. According to the paper, a dusk-to-dawn curfew has been imposed in Seguela since June 28 in a bid to bring the situation under control. The paper quoted the spokesperson of the mutineers, Abdoulaye Kone, as saying, "We dislike the decisions of the new zone commander. We notice that he has suppressed our allowance in rice while there have been some dismissals. Some quartermasters have been removed; changes were operated here and there; and most recently he has decided to change all the post commanders who were on the frontlines. We would like chief Wattao [the newly-appointed New Forces military commander in the region] to retain all these force commanders because in his first speeches he said that he had not come to remove anyone from their post. Given that they all belong to the New Forces, there are not divided into Zakaria’s men on one side and Wattao’s men on the other side. He must then stick to his words."

3. In a different story, Fraternite Matin told readers that the Ivorian Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro, who is also the leader of the New Forces, on June 29 expressed "his indignation, disappointment and anger," following the mutiny staged by disgruntled former fighters in Seguela and Vavoua. Soro, who was speaking from the central city of Bouake during a ceremony marking the first anniversary of the attack on a plane carrying him, was quoted as saying, "This movement [the rebellion launched in September 2002] was not for any personal enrichment, neither for any personal gain… We did not launch this movement to delay our country’s development or to be torn apart."

4. Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party): A prominent story on the front page of this paper suggested that the leader of the New Forces, who is apparently "weaken" by the continuous mutinies has lost "control over his soldiers." The paper further quoted the New Forces’ director of communications, Alain Lobognon saying, "The Prime Minister has given clear instructions that there won’t be a single shot fired." Lobognon added that "The soldiers, members of the former rebel New Forces (FN) movement, were now under the protection of the United Nations Operation in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI) and French troops deployed there."

5. In another development, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party), in a front-page item, told readers that this party supports Gbagbo’s anti-corruption campaign. The paper published the full text of a communique issued by the President of the ruling FPI party, Pascal Affi N’Guessan on the ongoing crackdown in the coffee and cocoa industry in Cote d’Ivoire. An excerpt of the statement said: "The FPI notes that in this matter, some of its militants, cadres of the party who are playing a leadership role, are among those who have been charged… The FPI, which strongly believes in the principle of good governance and the war against corruption, welcome the Head of State’s initiative. This move clearly shows his commitment to moralize the public life. The FPI encourages him to continue the fight against any behavior that threatens good governance."

6. Regarding the funding for the Ivorian peace process, Fraternite Matin said that out of FCFA 194 billion, international donors have so far provided FCFA 63 billion. The paper further suggested that the first round of the upcoming presidential election planned to be held on November 30, 2008, could be "delayed" due to what it called "the poor financial support" from the donors. In a related development, Notre Voie quoted the Ivorian First Lady, Simone Ehivet Gbagbo as saying, "Cote d’Ivoire has the means to organize the elections." According to the paper, the Ivorian First Lady, who was speaking over the weekend at during a political rally, was responding to those who believed that the polls could be delayed due to financial problems.

June 27, 2008

Today papers continued to report on the anti-corruption campaign in Cote d’Ivoire's Cocoa and coffee industry; a probable reshuffle of government; the peace process and the insecurity in Cote d’Ivoire.

1.   “After the arrests in Cocoa and coffee industry, Gbagbo gave new instructions” is the front page story of Notre Voie (a pro-FPI daily). According to the paper, at the weekly government meeting yesterday, President Gbagbo gave instructions to Prime Minister Soro to take without delay, measures to combat corruption in Cote d’Ivoire. President Gbagbo encouraged judges in their work and asked to do everything in order the find the truth.

The paper also reported that the UN Human Rights chief in Cote d’Ivoire made a press conference yesterday at their headquarters. He stated that the general political atmosphere is calm but he deplored that the insecurity is still high specifically in certain areas of the North and West of Cote d’Ivoire where no judicial administration exists.

2.   L’Intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily) also reported that the head of the human rights division of the UN operations in Cote d’Ivoire, Mr. Simon Amoussou, deplored the situation of human rights in the west and north of Cote d’Ivoire where local militia are still active. Mr. Amoussou also congratulated the Head of State Laurent Gbagbo for taking a law towards human rights. However, he wished that some texts in the amnesty order should be amended.

3.   Fraternite Matin (the state-owned daily) carried a headline which said: “Corruption and frauds during the school exams, Gbagbo to Soro: I am waiting for urgent measures; the Head of State opens new paths to moralize the public life”. According to the paper, during yesterday government weekly meeting, President Gbagbo although he was happy about the anti-corruption judicial process underway, he asked his Prime Minister Soro to propose anti-corruption measures and to find solutions to combat fraud in professional competitions and school exams organized by the Ivorian government.

4.   “Imminent government reshuffle, here is the black list of Gbagbo” is the front-page story of Le Matin d’Abidjan (a daily close to Gbagbo). According to the paper, if everything goes well, it is tomorrow June 28 that President Gbagbo in agreement with Soro Guillaume will announce the reshuffle to the public. Five ministers are supposed to be out. These are Gon Coulibaly (RDR), minister of Agriculture; Youssouf Soumahoro (New Forces) minister of commerce; Leon Emmanuel Monnet (FPI) minister of mines and energy; Patrick Achi (PDCI) minister of economic infrastructures and Mabri Toikeusse (UDPCI) minister of transport.

5.   Le Nouveau Réveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI party) carried a front story which said: “Reshuffle against Rassemblement des Houphoutistes, de la Démocratie et de la Paix (RHDP) a coalition of the opposition, is Soro accomplice of Gbagbo?” According to the paper, it is now a certainty that behind the operation “clean hands” launched by Gbagbo, there is a reshuffle to weaken the opposition before the November 30 date.

6.   Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) reported that the international community cornered Gbagbo. According the paper, after the payment of its debts, the government encountered difficulties in its daily operations. The government then asked the World Bank to lend him 400 billion CFA. But when the World Bank met last year with Prime Soro, one of its members said that money generated by coffee and cocoa as well as the money from petrol is important enough to insure a financial health. The paper said when the government went back to see the World Bank, the Bretton Woods institutions asked him to clean the coffee and cocoa industry where many institutions from the international community, like the European Union and Global Wtiness, noticed mismanagement.

June 26, 2008

The war against corruption in the coffee and cocoa industry and in other sectors of the Ivorian economy and the upcoming elections were the major issues in Friday’s Ivorian Press.

1.   L’Intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily) carried a headline which said: “Revelation – investigation on the coffeee and cocoa industry: how the court fooled Gbagbo.” According to the paper, the detention of the officials of the coffee and cocoa industry are showing that the court does not play Laurent Gbagbo’s game. The paper said the intention of Gbagbo when he asked the court to investigate, was not to send his friends who supported him during the war to jail. When the scandal started, he asked the Minister of Agriculture to maintain Tape Do, Chairman of the board of coffee and cocoa and Henri Kassi Amouzou, head of the Fund for the Development and Promotion of the Activities of Cocoa and Coffee Producers (FDPCC) in their positions until the end of the investigation in May 2008. For the paper, the precision of the date for the end of the investigation shows that Gbagbo’s intention was only to dismiss these officials from their positions, not to send them to jail. This explains the behavior of some of the coffee and cocoa officials who still refuse to see the examining magistrate.

2.   Le Nouveau Réveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI) carried a headline which said: “Operation clean hands in the coffee and cocoa industry, the farmers let down a bomb: here is the list of embezzlements and ministers involved.” According to the paper, during a meeting yesterday at their headquarters, the spokesperson of the farmers said that it is the coffee and cocoa money which finances the ruling FPI party’s meetings. They demanded the release of their leaders and asked the government for an explanation about the sequestered accounts. The farmers said they don’t understand why it is their leaders who are accused of embezzlement of funds because it is the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Economy who are the only persons who have authority to sign for these accounts. The money that was given to the arrested leaders of the farmers was given to them by these two ministers who have not been arrested. The farmers estimated that out of the 600 billion CFA that the coffee and cocoa industry generated, only 160 billion have been used. The farmers are now demanding an audit of this fund.

3. “After the arrest of their leaders, the farmers revealed: the coffee and cocoa money funded the ruling FPI party’s meetings; Minister Gon Coulibaly, Bohoun Bouabré and Charles Diby accused; an unlimited strike announced” is the front page story of Soir Info (an independent daily). According to the paper, the National Association of Coffee and Cocoa producers (ANAPROCI) made a statement yesterday in which it revealed that it was the producers’ money that was used to help Gbagbo fight the rebels. It is the same money that they gave to him to organize the resistance and to support patriotic movements in 2004. The bank statements requested when Charles Konan Banny was Prime Minister were never published. The farmers concluded that Alphonse Douati, former Minister of Agriculture; Gon Coulibaly, the current Minister; and former and current Ministers of Economy and Finance, Bohoun Bouabre, Charles Konan Banny and Diby Charles were the ones who embezzled the funds. The farmers demanded the immediate release of their leaders without delay since the real culprits -- who are the ministers and members of the examining committee -- are still at liberty.

4. Le Patriote (a daily close to RDR) carried a headline which said: “Investigation in the coffee and cocoa industry, producers attack Gbagbo; why are people responsible for toxic waste dumping at liberty? Where are the 2 billion CFA given to the presidency for the students? we financed young patriots and the ruling FPI party meetings.” The paper reported that the National Association of Coffee and Cocoa producers (ANAPROCI) disapproved of the way their leaders are humiliated. They made a list of people who managed the coffee and cocoa money and asked the government to arrest the real culprits. They also don’t understand why those responsible for the toxic waste which killed many people in Abidjan were freed and even reinstated in their functions. For the farmers it is because these people are the secret funders of the regime. For the farmers there is a double standards and they think their leaders must be released.

5. L’Intelligent d’Abidjan also reported that during an interview with Ali Keita, the spokesman of Alliance pour la Nouvelle Cote d’Ivoire (ANCI), a new political party, he revealed that the date of November 30 is just a reference for the elections in Cote d’Ivoire. M. Keita told journalists that he does not understand why people are making a fuss about the November 30 date. For him people are behaving like the sky will fall if the elections are not held on November 30. He asked people not to forget that there could be reasons to move the date.

6. L’inter (an independent daily) reported that the radio of the UN operations in Côte d’Ivoire announced yesterday that the UN has agreed to give 2 billion CFA as its contribution for the funding of the elections in Cote d’Ivoire.

June 25, 2008

Today Ivorian newspapers continued to report on the arrests of top officials in Cote d’Ivoire's Cocoa and coffee industry; the embezzlement at the Ministry of Mines and Energy; and the papers also reported on the “A levels,” the end of secondary school exams.

1. Le Nouveau Réveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI) carried a headline which said: “Hearing of officials of coffee and cocoa industry, the examining magistrate in difficulty.” According to the paper, out of four people summoned yesterday, only one showed up. The three others want a guarantee that they won’t be arrested after their hearing before they come to see the magistrate, as all other people who met with the magistrate were sent to jail.

The paper also reported that Mr. Okaigni Okaigni, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the chocolate plant in Fulton, (USA) was arrested yesterday.

2. “Misappropriation of funds in the cocoa and coffee industry, Tape Koulou reveals: Envelops were sent to some ministers” is the front-page story of L’Inter (an independent daily). According to the paper, during an interview with Tape Koulou, a coffee and cocoa producer, he stated that the misappropriation of coffee and cocoa funds could have been avoided if ministers who co-signed checks were strict. But these ministers let people do what they wanted because big envelops of money were sent to them.

The paper also reported that the price of cocoa has gone up in New York since the arrest of the officials from the coffee and cocoa industry.

Regarding the upcoming election in Cote d’Ivoire, Robert Mambé, President of the Independent Electoral Commission, met last Friday with Prime Minister Soro to discuss difficulties in finding money to fund the electoral process. Mr. Mambe launched an appeal to the international community to continue to financially assist the electoral process. He also sent envoys to twenty countries to meet Ivorians before the installation of the Independent Electoral Commission sections abroad.

3. Le Matin d’Abidjan (a pro-FPI daily) carried a headline which said: “Ministry of Mines and Energy, nearly one billion embezzled; other candidates for jail await the Prosecutor Tchimou.” According to the paper, nearly one billion was embezzled at the Ministry of Mines and Energy. From 2005 to 2007, the Managing Director of hydrocarbon and two of his staff had been taking money generated from research and production of petrol and gas in Cote d’Ivoire.  

4. The front page story of Le Patriote (a daily close to the RDR) said:  “Scandal in the coffee and cocoa industry, here is Gbagbo’s truth to the executive staff of his ethnic group: if you want, don’t vote for me; I will not intercede for anyone”. According to the paper, during the funeral of Gbagbo’s uncle last Saturday in Gagnoa, Gbagbo’s home town, some of the population asked President Gbagbo to release officials of the coffee and cocoa industry. For these people it is not good for Gbagbo to send to jail his own “brothers” at five months from the election. Gbagbo refused and told them not to vote for him if they want.

The paper also reported that the end of secondary school exams (A levels) started yesterday throughout the Ivorian territory. Unfortunately, some students were arrested for cheating.

5. Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) reported during an interview on Radio France International yesterday that Charles Konan Banny, former Ivorian Prime Minister, stated that the operation “clean hands” should not stop with the coffee and cocoa industry only. It should also be extended to other sectors. According to the paper, Mr. Banny said that in order to have transparent elections, militia must be dismantled, people should be able to circulate freely in the country and each Ivorian must have the right to vote.

June 24, 2008

In today's papers, reports on the arrests of top officials in Cote d’Ivoire's Cocoa and coffee industry continue. The papers also reported that the peace process is blocked and there was shooting in the rebels’ zone during the night of June 22 to June 23.

1. Soir Info (an independent daily) carried a headline which said: “Moralization of public life, new arrests; turmoil within the ruling FPI party; young patriots threaten to paralyze the court.” According to the paper, the decision of President Gbagbo to track down people who embezzled cocoa and coffee industry funds as well funds from other sectors like Cote d’Ivoire’s two ports, the Telecommunication Agency, the National Administration School, the National Television, as well as Gbagbo’s own office, has created a general turmoil within Gbagbo’s party. The young patriots who are unhappy about what is happening to their sponsors have decided to march on the court and free people who have been arrested.

The paper also reported that the FBI has started an investigation regarding the purchase of a chocolate plant in Fulton, USA. That investigation is to find out if the purchase was used as a way for the cocoa and coffee industry to launder money.

2. Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) reported that the implementation of the peace process is blocked as the international community drags its feet to provide financial assistance. According to the paper, the financial aid promised by the international community in July 2007 has not come. During a meeting convened by Mr. Youssouf Bakayoko, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, on June 21 to review the status of the funding of the peace process, he asked the international community to confirm its contributions. The paper said that some diplomats think this is a blackmail of the international community because the Ouagadougou Agreement is an inter-Ivoirian agreement and it is up to the Ivorian government to take the first step by making the biggest contribution.

3. “Operation ‘Clean Hands’ in the cocoa and coffee industry, the ruling FPI party decides to brave judges” is the front page story of Nord-Sud Qutotidien (a daily close to the opposition). According to the paper, some top officials of the cocoa and coffee guarantee fund (FGCC) who were supposed to meet yesterday the examining magistrate did not show up at the court. For the paper, by defying the judge’s authority, these people wanted to give a concrete demonstration of the opposition announced by the leadership of President Gbagbo’s party to the clean hands operation.  

4. Le Nouveau Réveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI) carried a headline which said: “Operation clean hands in the cocoa and coffee industry, here is the real plan of Gbagbo”. According to the paper, this operation is just to dazzle the population. For the paper, everybody is aware of the embezzlement of billions of CFA by Gbagbo’s men, the killing of French-Canadian Guy Andre Kieffer by the death squad, the toxic waste scandal with those responsibles remaining unpunished and many other human rights violations. The paper said if President Gbagbo has launched this clean hands operation, it is not to condemn his men but to crush the opposition, for instance the PDCI. According to the paper, if this legal action goes to its conclusion, it will be a legal means to protect Gbagbo’s men because if the court pronounces any sentence, even symbolic, nobody could judge these people again. The paper asked the opposition to be vigilant because if this action is not exclusively intended for PDCI members, it is a way to guarantee the impunity of FPI “gangsters”.

5. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): the front page story says: “shooting, looting in Bouake, Man and Seguela, Bakayoko to his men: Never again.” According to the paper, the chief of staff of the ex-rebels, General Bakayoko, promised his men three month’s allowance in order to avoid in the future the bad behavior they had last week. He expressed his discontent and condemned the behavior of his men.

6. Le Matin d’Abidjan (a daily close to the ruling FPI) reported that two years after the dumping of toxic waste in Abidjan, workers in the port area are still dying. People working in different firms in the port area are suffering from various illnesses but the government does nothing to clean up the area.   

June 20, 2008

In today's papers, reports on the arrests of executives in Cote d’Ivoire's Cocoa Board continue. The papers also reported on the certification process of Ivorian cocoa production and the preparation of the November 30 presidential election.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): A prominent story in this paper said that top officials in the Ivorian cocoa industry, including Lucien Tape Do was arrested yesterday and is now in custody in MACA – a prison in Abidjan. Tape Do has served as president of the board of directors of the Ivorian Coffee and Cocoa Bourse (BCC) for a long time. The paper said that the head of the finance of the same institution was also arrested. The report further said, "The officials of the BCC have now joined in prison Henri Kassi Amouzou and Theophile Kouassi, two top executives of the FDPCC – a development fund for cocoa and coffee farmers, who were picked up on June 19 in Abidjan." The paper further said that the same court will be hearing the case against Angeline Kili and Firmin Kouakou of the cocoa and coffee marketing cooperative FRC.

2. On the ongoing anti corruption, Fraternite Matin also published a statement which was issued by the government of Cote d’Ivoire yesterday after a Council of Ministers in Abidjan. In the statement, President Laurent Gbagbo reportedly commented on the ongoing anticorruption crackdown. Excerpts of the statement said: "The President of the Republic wants to stress that the ongoing criminal procedures that have led to the indictment of certain persons will continue, not only in the cocoa and coffee industry, but also in other sectors, in order to ensure more transparency in the management of the state affair."

3. Still on the cocoa issue, L’inter (an independent daily) reported that "the Ivorian cocoa is now certified." The paper said the Ivorian cocoa, which was subject to a threat of being banned from the American market, has been certified. According to the paper, the announcement was made yesterday by an official from the Cote d’Ivoire cocoa certification board. [NOTE: From January 9 -11, 2008 a U.S. Congressional delegation, consisting of Senators Harkin and Sanders and U.S. Representative Engel, visited Cote d'Ivoire to see first hand how stakeholders are implementing the Harkin-Engel Protocol. During their meetings with stakeholders, including the country's senior leadership - President Gbagbo and Prime Minister Soro, the delegation underscored the importance the American people place on ensuring that the chocolate eaten by the world's children is not produced by using abusive child labor or adult slave labor.]

4. With regard to the electoral process, Fraternite Matin reported that France contributed CFA 1.5 billion (about $ 3.5 million) for the organization of November 30 presidential election. This contribution was in conformity with a pledge made a few days ago by the French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner during his recent visit to Cote d’Ivoire. The paper also reported that Ivorian women are working on an action plan designed to increase the number of women elected to public office. This program, which is supported by the National Democratic Institute, also seeks to prepare Ivorian women for upcoming general elections in Cote d’Ivoire.

June 19, 2008

Today the papers reported on the arrest of two prominent figures in the cocoa industry as part of the government’s war against corruption; issue of security concerns during the upcoming presidential election; state of the media in Cote d’Ivoire; and cyber crime. The papers continue to report on the disgruntled former New Forces’ fighters' rampage in Bouake to protest delays in the payment of a demobilization package.  

1. Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) reported that a leading figure in the Cote d’Ivoire's cocoa industry has spent “his first night in prison.” According to the paper, “Henri Kassi Amouzou, head of the Fund for the Development and Promotion of the Activities of Cocoa and Coffee Producers (FDPCC), was arrested yesterday by police in Abidjan along with Theophile Kouassi, the Managing Director of the same organization. “They are currently in custody in MACA – a prison in Abidjan,” reported the paper. The paper further said that the news of the arrest of these two has put the FDPCC into “consternation”. The paper said that a leading member of the cocoa cartel advised the judges hearing the case, “to stay away from this matter. It’s a problem between us and we don’t want to go to jail.” The paper also said that President Laurent Gbagbo is “determined to finish his crusade against corruption and economic crimes in Cote d’Ivoire.”    

2. In a separate story, Nord-Sud Quotidien unveiled what it called “Gbagbo’s secret plan.” According to the paper, Gbagbo’s anti-corruption crackdown has nothing to do with pressure from international financial institutions, like the World Bank, which uses good governance as a condition for assistance. The paper suggested that the Ivorian leader is using the upcoming presidential election, scheduled for November 30, as “a window of opportunity” to center his campaign on issues like “corruption; mismanagement; and illicit enrichment.”

3. Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling party PDCI-RDA party) reported  that the Ivorian Minister of Agriculture, Amadou Gon Coulibaly, could be next on the list of those who are likely to be arrested in connection with the anti-corruption campaign.

4. On the continuing revolt of the former New Forces’ fighters in Bouake, Le Nouveau Reveil said that “Soro’s soldiers are manipulated.” According to the paper, the central city of Bouake, which is also an erstwhile stronghold of the New Forces, was “besieged” when disgruntled ex-fighters “looted, stole and brought to standstill activities there,” to protest in the payment of a demobilization package. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) said that “Two soldiers of the New Forces Armed Forces were killed,” while Nord-Sud Quotidien reported that “15 persons were injured.” Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party) in a prominent report announced that the Ivorian Prime Minister, Soro Guillaume, paid the demobilization package to the disgruntled soldiers yesterday.

5. On security during the elections, Le Patriote reported that the Center for Integrated Command – a joint military brigade – yesterday announced a plan aimed at “ensuring security in Cote d’Ivoire during the coming presidential election.” According to the paper, the blueprint takes into account the security of the general public, especially political leaders and voting agents.  

6. On the state of the media in Cote d'Ivoire, Fraternite Matin reported on a conclave initiated by the Ivorian Ministry of Communication to discuss ways to open up audiovisual space to enable the creation of more broadcasting networks, including TV channels, in the country. In a separate story, the paper also reported that experts are meeting in Abidjan in order to find ways to curb cyber criminality in Cote d’Ivoire.      

June 18, 2008

Today’s Ivorian newspapers reported on the following:

--The peace process, especially the upcoming presidential election and the financing of the disarmament program in Cote d’Ivoire;

--President Laurent Gbagbo’s anti-corruption campaign;

--The plan by the French authorities to reduce military troops abroad; and

-- Ambassador Aubrey Hooks’ (former U.S. Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire) comment on the situation in Cote d’Ivoire.

1. In a head line story, Fraternite Matin: (a state-owned daily) reported on the Libyan leader, Muammar al-Qaddafi and "the financing of the disarmament program." With a picture of Muammar al-Qaddafi, on the front page, the paper told readers that the Libyan leader made a proposal to provide funding for the disarmament program. According to the story, which Fraternite Matin culled from AFP – Agence France Presse, al-Qaddafi made the proposal in a close-door meeting with Presidents Gbagbo and Blaise Compaore during the ongoing Sahel Saharan States (CEN-SAD) Summit in Cotonou. According to the paper, a well-informed source in Cotonou said: "al-Qaddafi proposed to finance, in case of a blockade, part of the disarmament program of the former rebels." The paper further said that President Compaore would be meeting very soon with the Ivorian Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro, who is also the leader of the New Forces, "to discuss ways to pre-empt any last minute blockades."

2. On the same subject L’intelligent d’Abidjan (a privately-owned daily) said, "As the international donors are hesitating to provide funds in support of the peace process, al-Qaddafi wants to finance part of the disarmament program."

3. In a related development, L’intelligent d’Abidjan told readers that government officials met on June 17 with New Forces’ leadership "to evaluate the disarmament program and the thorny issue pertaining to the payment of allowances to the encamped former fighters," the cause for the protest by 1050 disgruntled former New Forces combatants in Bouake, recently. Fraternite Matin suggested that "the disarmament of the ex-fighters hangs in a balance." The paper told readers that "nothing came up" after the meeting yesterday between government officials and the New Forces’ leadership. Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) said that "the situation is yet to be diffused." According to this paper, New Forces’ military high command is calling upon President Gbagbo and Soro "for rescue," as the disgruntled soldiers, who brought businesses in Bouake to a standstill on June 16, gave "a 48-hour ultimatum to their commanders to accede to their demand."

4. Le Nouveau Reveil also carried another prominent front-page story focusing on the identification program. The paper quoted the Director of the National Statistics Institute (INS) as saying that "Our proposal pertaining to the identification program has not been adopted. SAGEM has been charged to play a leading role in controlling the operation with regard to the terms of reference. We’ll be jointly working with it [SAGEM] as a compliment." INS and SAGEM, the French group, are the two organizations charged with the identification and the registration of Ivorian voters in preparation for the upcoming presidential election.

5. Meanwhile, Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition party) carried a front-page story which said "SAGEM cannot start the identification program because President Gbagbo has not yet signed the decree to enable it to do so."

6. In a front-page story, Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) said that Gbagbo’s anti-corruption campaign continues. The paper said that after the indictment of 23 officials early this week, "more figures in the cocoa industry would be charged this week."

7. On French President Nicholas Sarkozy's decision to reduce French troops stationed abroad, including Africa; Fraternite Matin said that "the French new defense policy seeks to review military cooperation between France and African countries including Cote d’Ivoire."

8. Finally, on the situation in Cote d’Ivoire, Fraternite Matin published a story filed from Washington on a meeting organized by the Association of Ivorians living in the U.S. At the meeting, which was also attended by Cote d’Ivoire's Ambassador to the U.S., Charles Yao Koffi, former American Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire, Aubrey Hooks, said: "I am optimistic for Cote d’Ivoire."

June 17, 2008

The reports in today’s Ivorian press said that New Forces’ former fighters went on a rampage in the central city of Bouake to protest the delay in payment of their disarmament allowances. Reports continue on the Ivorian government’s efforts to crackdown on corruption; the indictment of twenty-three figures in Cote d’Ivoire’s cocoa industry for embezzlement; and the peace process in Cote d’Ivoire. The papers also reported on President Laurent Gbagbo's departure yesterday to attend the Community of the Sahel Saharan States (CEN-SAD) Summit in Cotonou, Benin.

1. L’inter (an independent daily): A prominent report on the front page of the paper said that "former New Forces fighters went on a rampage yesterday to press for the payment of their demobilization allowances." According to the paper, this action was organized by soldiers who were to be integrated in the new joint army, which is to be formed as part of the peace process in Cote d’Ivoire. The paper further explained that "the disgruntled soldiers were claiming payments of 90,000 Francs CFA (about $ 213) each, which they are entitled to for a three-month period as part of the disarmament program." The paper told readers that the tension in Bouake finally calmed down after an emissary of the Secretary General of the New Forces, Guillaume Soro, met with the disgruntled soldiers.

2. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) also reported in a front page report that "1,050 former fighters of the New Forces crippled Bouake." According to the paper calm returned to the city thanks to the timely intervention of the New Forces’ Commander in the region, Sherif Ousmane. "He recognized the difficult situation of the soldiers and pointed out that this problem cannot be blamed on the New Forces’ leadership but rather on the difficult financial situation of the State of Cote d’Ivoire," reported the paper.

3. On the upcoming presidential election in Cote d’Ivoire, Fraternite Matin quoted the Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI), Robert Mambe Beugre as saying that "it will take the electoral body 45 days to complete the voters’ registration exercise, which will be followed by the publication of the provisionary electoral list scheduled for August 31, 2008. The final electoral list will be published later November 15, 2008… We’ve already taken measures for the beginning of the enrolment of voters. The 11,000 polling stations, which are under the supervision of the UNOCI – UN Operation in Cote d’Ivoire –, will serve as the voters’ registration exercise."

4. A front-page story in Fraternite Matin said that "four policemen were arrested for corruption." According to the paper, it is alleged that "the four policemen fraudulently collected money from applicants with the promise to get them admission in the national police academy." The paper said the arrest of the policemen was part of Gbagbo’s anti-corruption campaign and that this arrest comes a few days after the indictment of twenty-three figures in Cote d’Ivoire’s cocoa industry for embezzlement. According to the paper, Global Witness has criticized the list of those indicted, because it does not include names of some Ivorian ministers who are involved in Cote d’Ivoire’s cocoa industry. In reaction to this criticism, Attorney-General, Raymond Tchimou said "The list of defrauders is not exhaustive."

5. In a related story on corruption, L’inter implied that Gbagbo’s anti-corruption campaign is "a mere charm offensive," because many Ivorians questioned "the sincerity of this operation," which was "too late to come."

6. Finally, Fraternite Matin informed readers that President Laurent Gbagbo left Abidjan yesterday to attend the Community of the Sahel Saharan States (CEN-SAD) Summit, which opens today in Cotonou. According to the paper, the world food crisis and the question of security will be high on the agenda of the conference.

June 16, 2008

The visit of France's Foreign Minister, Bernard Kouchner, and the peace process in Cote d’Ivoire are the major issues in today’s Ivorian press. The papers also reported on the criminal charges levied against twenty-three figures in Cote d’Ivoire’s cocoa industry as well as on the meeting of Socialist groups in Abidjan.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): The visit of Bernard Kouchner in Cote d’Ivoire -- the first visit by a French foreign minister to the former colony in over five years -- marks “the official return of France to Cote d’Ivoire,” the paper quoted the French Foreign Minister as saying after meeting with the Ivorian officials in Abidjan over the weekend. According to the paper Kouchner, during his  two-day visit to Cote d’Ivoire, held talks with President Laurent Gbagbo; Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro; the Ivorian opposition figure, Alassane Dramane Ouattara; and the Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI), Robert Mambe Beugre. Discussions focused on the peace process in Cote d’Ivoire, especially the preparation of the upcoming presidential elections; the relationship between Cote d’Ivoire and France as well as the future of the French troops – La Licorne – in this country. Speaking after a meeting with the French diplomat, the leader of the RDR party, Alassane Dramane Ouattara expressed concerns about “financial difficulties that could again delay the polls.” Addressing the same issue, the Ivorian electoral commissioner said: “We’re expecting seven billion (about $ 16.5 million) from international donors.” In his discussions on financial support for the elections, Kouchner said “France won’t finance elections; it will bring its support.” On the bilateral relations between the two countries, the French Foreign Minister reportedly said: “It was necessary to pen a new chapter.” Kouchner further said that “The French troops – La Licorne – won’t quit Cote d’Ivoire before the presidential election,” which is planned to be held on November 30, 2008. [NOTE: Until Kouchner’s visit over the weekend, no French top diplomat has visited Cote d’Ivoire since the Ivorian air force bombed a French military base in Bouake, the centre of the country, in November 2004, killing nine soldiers. Relations between the two countries had plummeted after the attempted coup in 2002 which nearly toppled Gbagbo.]
2. In a related development, Fraternite Matin informed readers that a mission from the Independent Electoral Commission will be traveling outside Cote d’Ivoire to set up sections within Cote d’Ivoire's embassies around the world, focusing on the identification of Ivorians leaving abroad with regards to the coming presidential election.

3. In a different story, Fraternite Matin reported that heads of UN Peace Mission in West Africa on June 14 hailed “the peace process in Cote d’Ivoire and acknowledged the significant progress” made in the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement. In a final communiqué issued at the end of the UN high-level meeting held in Dakar, Senegal, the envoys said "so far five tasks had been achieved." These include the consolidation of peace, determination of elections date and the consensual acceptance by all key political stakeholders of the framework on the certification.

4. In other reporting on the  visit of the French Foreign Minister in Cote d’Ivoire, Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) prominently pointed  that the former Ivorian President, Henri Konan Bedie, who is also the leader of the former ruling PDCI-RDA party was “absent” at the meetings. According to Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party); Kouchner could not travel to Daoukro, the hometown of Bedie, to meet him because of the “bad weather.” “However the two personalities had a more than 20-minute telephone conversation on the social and political situation in Cote d’Ivoire,” reported the paper.  

5. A few days after the indictment of twenty-three figures in Cote d’Ivoire’s cocoa industry for embezzlement, Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) allegedly suggested that “Ministers and high-ranking magistrates are also involved in the fraud.” According to the paper, officials in the cocoa industry denounced “the way the Attorney-General announced the outcomes of the investigation that is yet to be completed.”

6. L’intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily): In a front-page story, the paper quoted President Gbagbo as saying: “rebellions are bad solutions to African problems.” Gbagbo was speaking on June 14 to leaders of Socialist groups from around the world, who are meeting in Abidjan. “The time for rebellion is over,” Gbagbo reportedly said.                                 

June 13, 2008

A probe into the Ivorian cocoa and coffee sector; the ongoing G77 plus China conference in Yamoussoukro; the launching of a project aimed at expanding the port of Abidjan; and a conference on the certification of the cocoa production are the top stories in today’s papers.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): A prominent story on the front page in the paper said that "Twenty-three officials working in the cocoa and coffee sector, including the Director of a chocolate factory in Fulton, New York, U.S., Jean-Claude Amon, have been indicted." The paper published the list of the 23 personalities, who, it said, are suspects, "by the office of the Attorney-General," of many wrong doings including: "funds embezzlement, breach of trust, misuse of company property, fraud and forgery of private bank documents." Other personalities on the list include Tape Do Lucien, a 57-year old head of BCC – Bourse Café Cacao – and Amouzou Kassi Henri, President of Coffee and Cocoa Producers. The Ivorian Attorney-General, Raymond Tchimou, speaking yesterday at a press conference, reportedly said: "All the institutions in charge of the cocoa and coffee sector are suffering from dysfunction, because the law governing them, especially the term in office of the management has become null and void." The paper went on to recall that "following rumors and accusations of mismanagement," the President Laurent Gbagbo August 11, 2007 asked "the Attorney-General to probe the Ivorian cocoa and coffee sector from the time of its divestiture."

2. Still on the management of the Ivorian cocoa and coffee sector, Fraternite Matin told readers, in a separate story, that "The National Assembly has summoned officials of the sector for Q&As because of the crisis facing the sector." The paper quoted a lawmaker as saying: "The cocoa and coffee sector plays a vital role in the country’s economy and when there is a problem, it’s important for everybody to know what is going on."

3. Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party): Commenting on what it called "a highway pillage of the cocoa and coffee sector in Cote d’Ivoire," this paper suggested that "the Ivorian justice, whose reputation has become questionable, would find it difficult to prosecute the presumed culprits because some of them have cozy relationship with the Head of the State." The paper also published a copy of what it called "a confidential document relating to the purchase a chocolate factory in Fulton."

4. Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition): In a front-page story, the paper called the probe into the cocoa and coffee sector "Operation Clean Hands." The paper went on to suggest that this operation marks the beginning of "the journey to jail" of some of the officials working in the cocoa and coffee sector.

5. L’inter (a privately-owned daily): A prominent story on the front-page of this paper said that "the hearing of the 23 barons of the cocoa and coffee sector begins June 14." The paper quoted Attorney-General Tchimou who vowed: "There won’t be exclusion." In a separate story, the paper hinted that cocoa and coffee producers are on "war path," following rumors that some of their leaders will be arrested "for mismanagement."

6. Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party): The paper, which carried no news on the probe into the Ivorian cocoa and coffee sector, however reported on the conference on the certification of the cocoa production, taking place in Abidjan. According to the paper, experts in the cocoa productions are meeting to evaluate efforts by the government of Cote d’Ivoire to comply with the Harkin and Engel protocol signed in 2005, which obliges the parties involved to show that child labor has not been used in any stage of cocoa production.

7. Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party): In the wake of the launching of a project aimed at expanding the port of Abidjan, this paper carried a front-page story accusing President Gbagbo of sliding into what it called "the cult of personality." The paper, which was apparently reacting to a plan of the construction a pontoon bridge in Abidjan to be named after the Ivorian leader, also suggested that the projects were crafted for "electoral purposes."

8. Reporting on the current G77 plus China conference in Yamoussoukro, Fraternite Matin said delegates at the meeting on June 12 agreed to set up a Fund of the South for emergency humanitarian assistance and development. The paper quoted delegates as saying that this fund, which was created in June 2005 in Doha, Qatar during a G77 summit, was designed to foster the south-south co-operation.

9. On France-Cote d’Ivoire relations, Fraternite Matin announced that the French Cooperation Minister, Bernard Kouchner, is expected June 14-15 in Abidjan "to support the peace process" in Cote d’Ivoire. According to the paper, the French minister will be meeting with government officials and opposition leaders during his visit. This visit, commented the paper, is part of efforts aiming at "normalizing the relationship between Cote d’Ivoire and its former colonial master."

10. Still on bilateral issues, Fraternite Matin devoted two pages depicting the Iranian "economic revolution." A caption illustrating a picture of the Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad said: "Concerned about the well-being of the Iranian people, President Ahmadinejad is using the pacific uranium enrichment as a key issue to attain his objective."

11. Finally, Soir Info (an independent daily) reported that members of FESCI – the Federation of Students of Cote d’Ivoire – have ransacked the office of an official at the Cocody University in Abidjan to protest the delay of the rehabilitation works at the students’ hostels.

June 12, 2008

A report in the state-owned daily Fraternite Matin said that the disarmament program hangs in the balance. The launching of a project aimed at expanding the port of Abidjan was also a major story in today’s Ivorian press. Reports also said that delegates at the ongoing G77 plus China conference in Yamoussoukro supported President Laurent Gbagbo’s proposal to utilize a special tax on developing countries’ exports of raw materials like oil and cocoa to finance a Bank of the South to fight world poverty.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): A back-page story in this paper said that "the disarmament process of the former rebels in Cote d’Ivoire is in danger." The paper said "As a result of the non-payment of their allowances, more than 600 New Forces’ former combatants left their cantonment camp on June 10 for their respective houses. For the same reason, another group of former fighters deserted their camp leaving the Bouake-based 3rd Battallion empty." The paper quoted unnamed deserters as saying that they cannot continue to live in "this poor situation in this place, while their chiefs ostensibly refuse to stick to their promises."

2. Fraternite Matin devoted its front page to announce the launching by President Gbagbo of a project aimed at expanding the port of Abidjan, which will be able to handle ships carrying up to 4,000 containers. The report said the port’s new terminal will be built on an island, off the coast of the Ivorian economic capital Abidjan. The project will cost 100 billion CFA francs (about $237 million.) The project also includes the construction of a 1,100 km pontoon bridge that will be named after the Ivorian leader. According to the paper, this project is aimed at endowing Cote d’Ivoire with sound economic infrastructures, like airports, roads and railways, whose capacity responds to international norms in terms of "competition and performance." The paper also commented that the plan would allow Cote d’Ivoire "to strengthen her leadership in the sub-region."

3. "World food crisis: the G77 plus China supports Gbagbo’s proposal," said a front-page story in Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling RDR party). Addressing delegates at the ongoing G77 plus China conference in Yamoussoukro, Gbagbo proposed the introduction of a special tax on developing countries’ exports of raw materials like oil and cocoa to finance what he called "a Bank of the South" to fight world poverty. The Ivorian leader said his plan would fund the worldwide expansion of a bank of the same name set up last year by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

4. Fraternite Matin: A report in this paper focused on the just-ended meeting that brought together military commanders of the United Nations Missions in Cote d’Ivoire and Liberia and commanders of the Ivorian army and the New Forces Armed Forces. According to the paper, the security in the West African region, especially the security during the upcoming elections in Cote d’Ivoire, was high on the agenda. On the outcomes of this meeting, the paper said that the military commanders have agreed to set up "a joint security brigade" at the frontiers of Cote d’Ivoire. According to the paper, UNOCI military commander, General Fernand Amoussou said "We’ve agreed to work with Ivorian security forces (the national army and the New Forces) and security forces in neighboring countries to ensure security during the electoral period in Cote d’Ivoire."

June 12, 2008

A report in the state-owned daily Fraternite Matin said that the disarmament program hangs in the balance. The launching of a project aimed at expanding the port of Abidjan was also a major story in today’s Ivorian press. Reports also said that delegates at the ongoing G77 plus China conference in Yamoussoukro supported President Laurent Gbagbo’s proposal to utilize a special tax on developing countries’ exports of raw materials like oil and cocoa to finance a Bank of the South to fight world poverty.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): A back-page story in this paper said that "the disarmament process of the former rebels in Cote d’Ivoire is in danger." The paper said "As a result of the non-payment of their allowances, more than 600 New Forces’ former combatants left their cantonment camp on June 10 for their respective houses. For the same reason, another group of former fighters deserted their camp leaving the Bouake-based 3rd Battallion empty." The paper quoted unnamed deserters as saying that they cannot continue to live in "this poor situation in this place, while their chiefs ostensibly refuse to stick to their promises."

2. Fraternite Matin devoted its front page to announce the launching by President Gbagbo of a project aimed at expanding the port of Abidjan, which will be able to handle ships carrying up to 4,000 containers. The report said the port’s new terminal will be built on an island, off the coast of the Ivorian economic capital Abidjan. The project will cost 100 billion CFA francs (about $237 million.) The project also includes the construction of a 1,100 km pontoon bridge that will be named after the Ivorian leader. According to the paper, this project is aimed at endowing Cote d’Ivoire with sound economic infrastructures, like airports, roads and railways, whose capacity responds to international norms in terms of "competition and performance." The paper also commented that the plan would allow Cote d’Ivoire "to strengthen her leadership in the sub-region."

3. "World food crisis: the G77 plus China supports Gbagbo’s proposal," said a front-page story in Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling RDR party). Addressing delegates at the ongoing G77 plus China conference in Yamoussoukro, Gbagbo proposed the introduction of a special tax on developing countries’ exports of raw materials like oil and cocoa to finance what he called "a Bank of the South" to fight world poverty. The Ivorian leader said his plan would fund the worldwide expansion of a bank of the same name set up last year by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

4. Fraternite Matin: A report in this paper focused on the just-ended meeting that brought together military commanders of the United Nations Missions in Cote d’Ivoire and Liberia and commanders of the Ivorian army and the New Forces Armed Forces. According to the paper, the security in the West African region, especially the security during the upcoming elections in Cote d’Ivoire, was high on the agenda. On the outcomes of this meeting, the paper said that the military commanders have agreed to set up "a joint security brigade" at the frontiers of Cote d’Ivoire. According to the paper, UNOCI military commander, General Fernand Amoussou said "We’ve agreed to work with Ivorian security forces (the national army and the New Forces) and security forces in neighboring countries to ensure security during the electoral period in Cote d’Ivoire."

June 11, 2008

Notre Voie, a daily close to the ruling Front Populaire Ivoirien (FPI) party carried a reader's commentary on the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM). The 12th meeting of the Intergovernmental Overseeing and Coordination Committee on the South-South Cooperation of the Group of 77 plus China as well as the conference on the certification of the cocoa production, are the other top stories in today’s papers.

1. Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling party): The paper carried a reader's commentary on AFRICOM. Placed in the back page, the commentary titled "AFRICOM: The United States entangled by its good will and mistake," articulated the author's reaction to a digital video conference, which was organized by the American Embassy in Abidjan on AFRICOM on June 3, 2008. The writer said "At first glance, one cannot condemn this initiative of the United States for the fact that the African continent, which is playing an important role because of its raw materials, needs a diversified cooperation." He continued on to say that "the American good will" is being hampered by "a mistake," because "the negotiations on the AFRICOM are being conducted individually, on a country by country basis." He asserted that "This way of running this affair is a mistake, because African countries are often linked by trans-border realities (ethnic groups, conflicts…), and subsequently, any event that occurs in one country has repercussion in one or many other neighboring countries." The writer suggested that "AFRICOM should not be a one-country-affair or made for some countries that would accept the project. AFRICOM must be envisaged at a global, continental level." In this regard, the writer proposed that "the issue should be presented in an African Union Summit or be addressed in the framework of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union." The writer concluded that "This would allow the African countries to have a say on this military cooperation with the United States, and this should not be subject to economic cooperation or to any financial aid."

2. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): The paper reported on the 12th meeting of the Inter-governmental, Overseeing, and Coordination Committee on the South-South Cooperation of the Group of 77 plus China. The paper said that President Laurent Gbagbo unveiled "two blueprints designed to address economic issues and the ongoing food crisis in developing countries," during the meeting, which is being held Yamoussoukro, the administrative capital. According to the paper, President Gbagbo called for the creation of an investment bank whose role is to promote business between developing countries. Gbagbo said: "This bank will be committed to the development of our countries, a credible and strong bank capable to propel our economies." Regarding the food crisis that is affecting many developing countries, the Ivorian leader proposed "a global solution;" he also called for "an UN-supported fund for the stabilization of food products."

3. L’inter (an independent daily): The paper reported that experts from cocoa-producing countries, including Cote d’Ivoire, are meeting in Abidjan to evaluate the certification protocol. The paper said, "According to international statistics published in 2005, about 200,000 children work in the cocoa plantations in Cote d’Ivoire." It also said that the Ivorian government signed a Harkin and Engel protocol in 2005; this protocol obliges the parties involved to show child labor has not been used in any stage of production. [NOTE: From January 9 -11, 2008 a U.S. Congressional delegation, consisting of Senators Harkin and Sanders and U.S. Representative Engel, visited Cote d'Ivoire to see first hand how stakeholders are implementing the Harkin-Engel Protocol. During their meetings with stakeholders, including the country's senior leadership - President Gbagbo and Prime Minister Soro, the delegation underscored the importance the American people place on ensuring that the chocolate eaten by the world's children is not produced by using abusive child labor or adult slave labor.] 

Media Coverage of Embassy’s Activities

In its June 10 edition, L’intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily) informed readers that the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan is organizing a series of conferences on the US elections.

Today, Fraternite Matin, L’intelligent d’Abidjan and Le Jour Plus (a privately-owned daily): the two dailies in today’s editions reported on the conferences that have been organized by the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan on the electoral systems in the U.S. and Cote d’Ivoire. According to the papers, the discussions, which were led by Dr. Sheldon Gellar, an American political scientist and research associate, focused on issues including the importance of free and fair elections in a democratic society, grassroots democracy in the US, and the involvement of youth and women’s organizations in the electoral process. According to Le Jour Plus, Dr. Gellar used the opportunity to present themes aimed at pre-empting violence during electoral periods. According to L’intelligent d’Abidjan, the speaker also spoke about the different froms of democracy. Dr Gellar, who is visiting Cote d'Ivoire June 7-14, 2008 on the IIP/S-AF Speaker & Specialist Programs, has been interviewed by ONUCI FM, the UN Radio in Cote d’Ivoire as well as Radio Cote d’Ivoire, the country's national radio. A portion of these interviews was broadcast on ONUCI FM and more excerpts will be aired in the coming days.

June 10, 2008

A prominent story on the front page of the state-owned Fraternite Matin said that a multi-billion project aimed at extending the port of Abidjan is due to commence June 11. The visit of French businessmen in Cote d’Ivoire and meetings yesterday between visiting UN Security Council ambassadors and Ivorian political stakeholders on the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire, are the other major stories in today’s dailies.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): "The decision by the Ivorian Head of State to extend the Abidjan Port Authority in order to respond to Cote d’Ivoire’s economic ambitions has now become a reality, as the extension works are due to start tomorrow [June 10]," said the paper. According to the paper, President Laurent Gbagbo will cut the sod June 10 to officially launch the nearly 240 million US dollars-extension project. Upon completion, explained the paper, "The project would help increase the capacity of the Abidjan Port Authority, hence become an international hub and serve as a port for landlocked West African countries like Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger." The paper also quoted an official from the Abidjan Port Authority as saying that "this project would make Cote d’Ivoire an important destination in Africa."

2. In a separate story, Fraternite Matin quoted the head of the visiting French businessmen delegation to Abidjan as saying, "The time for some companies to invest in Cote d’Ivoire has come." According to the paper the delegation of MEDEF – Mouvement des Entreprises de France – is in Cote d’Ivoire for the fourth consecutive times "to gauge the economic environment prevailing in the country." The paper also went on to comment that "As a peace process is being implemented in Cote d’Ivoire, there is a great deal of business opportunities that are offered to foreign investors, especially the French, who have been established in the country since independence." It also reported that about 600 French companies operate in Cote d’Ivoire, and contribute about 30 per cent to the GDP – Gross Domestic Product. "Our interests are linked to those of Cote d’Ivoire, and from this country, we intend to reach out to Ghana and Liberia," the paper quoted the head of the French businessmen delegation as saying.

3. "November 30 presidential elections: UN presses Ivorian political stakeholders to stick to their commitment," said a prominent story on the front page of Nord-Sud Quotidien (a pro-opposition newspaper). According to the paper, the Ivorian political key players as well as leaders of civic groups and commanders of security forces June 9 met with visiting UN Security Council ambassadors to evaluate the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire. The paper quoted the Ivorian opposition leader, Alassane Dramane Ouattara, as saying after the meeting, "We insisted on the issue regarding the funding of the peace process. We also asked the UN Security Council ambassadors to seriously address the question of security of the presidential candidates and voters."

4. "We are ready to ensuring security during the elections," Fraternite Matin quoted General Philippe Mangou and General Soumaila Bakayoko, commanders of the Defense and Security Forces of Cote d’Ivoire and New Forces Armed Forces respectively as saying. "We have expressed our strong willingness to stand by the impartial troops in securing the elections," General Bakayoko reportedly said. In a separate story, the head of the UN Security Council ambassadors’ delegation, Michel Kafando, reportedly said that "The question of funding the electoral process is the major concern for President Gbagbo… because the success of this process depends on whether there would be enough funding to complete it." On the possibility to hold the upcoming presidential elections, the head of the UN Security Council ambassadors’ delegation was quoted as saying, "Whatsoever the difficulties that may come up, the President [Gbagbo] is confident that the pools can take place as scheduled on November 30."

5. Finally, a story in L’inter (an independent daily) informed readers that the publisher of this paper, Jean Marie Kouassi Ahoussou was summoned yesterday by the Ivorian Defense Minister, Michel Amani N’Guessan. According to the paper, the minister’s order had to do with a story run by L’inter on "plan by some soldiers to set up a union." "The Minister Michel Amani N’Guessan said that L’inter’s reports continuously undermined the peace process that he [the minister] has been trying to implement with the soldiers." Representatives of media association and watchdog committees were present at the meeting between the Defense Minister and the publisher.

June 9, 2008

The war against corruption within the administration; the meeting of the G77 and China in Yamoussoukro; the ongoing electoral process in Cote d’Ivoire as well as the identification of the population are the major news in today’s Ivorian press.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): Commenting on the meeting of the G77 and China -- due to open today in Cote d’Ivoire’s political, Yamoussoukro – and the next visit to Cote d’Ivoire of a delegation of the United Nations Security Council and French businessmen, the paper said that Cote d’Ivoire is steadily trying to make "a comeback," as the situation in this West African country is "gradually returning to normalcy." In a separate story, the paper reported that President Gbagbo is fighting against corruption. During a political rally yesterday in Tiassalé, north off Abidjan, President Gbagbo reportedly said: "My fight is to crackdown on corrupters. We cannot accept that the country is wealthy, while people spend their time stealing instead of working."

2. Le Temps (a daily close to Gbagbo) reported that for the first time, Côte d’Ivoire will host the 12th meeting of the intergovernmental follow-up and coordination Committee on the South-South cooperation of the Group 77 and China from 10-13 June in Yamoussoukro. According to the paper, the decision to choose Yamoussoukro is to support the peace efforts undertaken by the Ivorian government since the signing of the Ouagadougou Accord on 4 March 2007. The Group 77 is a coalition of developing countries set up to promote the collective economic interests of its members and create a negotiating capacity at the UN.

3. "I am going to flush out corrupters," said a banner headline in L’intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily). President Gbagbo, speaking a week ago, was quoted as saying: "My first fight was to put an end to the war. Now that the war is over, my next fight is to crackdown on corrupters to free Cote d’Ivoire from this cancer."

4. Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) carried a banner headline quoting the leader of the opposition MFA – Mouvement des Forces d’Avenir --, Anaky Kobena, as saying: "There will be no election before March 2009 in Cote d’Ivoire." The paper published a long interview of the Ivorian opposition leader, who said that "As long as Gbagbo and his men want to keep power while they are the minority, peaceful elections cannot take place in Cote d’Ivoire.

5. Reacting to President Gbagbo’s recent interview with France 24 – a French international television network, Le Nouveau Réveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party), carried a banner headline reading: "The unacceptable and revolting fabrications of a head of state." According to the paper, President Gbagbo never "won the October 1990 election," as he claimed in his interview with the French TV.

June 6, 2008

Commentaries in today’s Ivorian press again focused on the ongoing electoral process in the US. The state-owned daily Fraternite Matin also reported on a conference organized by the American Embassy in Abidjan on United States Africa Command (AFRICOM.) The security issue during the upcoming presidential election in Cote d’Ivoire; President Laurent Gbagbo’s interview with France 24 – a French international television network; and the relationship between Cote d’Ivoire and France are the other major news in the press.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): The paper carried an interview of Ambassador Jean-Vincent Zinsou, an Ivorian political analyst and expert in international relation. Zinsou presented a critical analysis of the chances of Illinois Senator Barack Obama to become the next President of the United States. Ambassador Zinsou strongly believed that despite what he called "the wind of Obamania" that is blowing across the world, the Democrat nominee in the November presidential election "has not yet won the party." Zinsou said that the next American election has virtually become a world issue because its outcome is "very important." According to the paper, Zinsou also said that the fact that a black and a woman [Senator Hilary Clinton, who was defeated by Obama in the race for the Democrat nomination] were running for presidency has made the election to become an international issue.

2. In a separate story, Fraternite Matin reported on a digital video conference organized by the American Embassy in Abidjan on AFRICOM. The paper characterized AFRICOM as the US response to Africa's role. The paper said "Aware of the strategic role of Africa in the world affair, the security and stability on the continent have become a priority for the United States." The report further said that "AFRICOM is an essential catalyst to strengthening the relationship between the United States and Africa."

3. "Security during the elections: UNOCI to deploy its 9,000 troops," said a banner headline in Fraternite Matin. According to the paper, the announcement was made by the Commander of the UN peacekeeping troops in Cote d’Ivoire, General Fernand Amoussou, who was speaking at a meeting yesterday with institutions involved in the upcoming elections. General Amoussou reportedly said that "the UN forces will work with national forces to ensure security throughout the country… The security at the frontiers will be manned in collaboration with neighboring countries." The Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI), Robert Beugre Mambe, also used this occasion to announce that "the UN forces will be in charge of the transportation electoral materials, security of all the persons involved in the conduct of the polls, security of the candidates and the population as well as the observers."

4. "With the progress made so far in the implementation of the peace process, the election can be held before November 30," Fraternite Matin quoted President Laurent Gbagbo as saying in an interview with France 24 – a French international television network. According to the paper President Gbagbo, who was speaking on the peace process in Cote d’Ivoire, did not say whether he will take part in the competition. "Today, in any case, the President of the Republic and the government, have done everything that we had to do for the election to be held in November. I would even hope that the election is organized before date… If I can sign a decree to fix the date of the election to be held earlier, I would voluntarily do it," the paper quoted President Gbagbo as saying.

5. "Gbagbo set the record straight," said a prominent headline in Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling party), which devoted its front page to President Laurent Gbagbo’s interview. Meanwhile, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) said that President Gbagbo’s statement on the French TV was "revolting." The paper also informed readers that the interview will be re-broadcast today at 19:15 GMT on the French TV.

6. On the relationship between Cote d’Ivoire and France, Fraternite Matin announced that the French Foreign Affairs Minister, Bernard Kouchner, is expected in Abidjan on June 14. This visit, commented the paper, would open "a new chapter" in Cote d’Ivoire-France relationship. The paper went on to speculate that Kouchner might be coming to Cote d’Ivoire "to salute the progress made by the Ivorian political stakeholders in the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement."

June 5, 2008

Several Ivorian papers, including the state-owned daily Fraternite Matin, today ran commentaries focusing on the ongoing electoral process in the United States. Reports also said the Ivorian Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro, is meeting European Union officials to seek support for the peace process underway in Cote d’Ivoire. Other reports said that a court in France sentenced the former Ivorian rebel leader, Ibrahim Coulibaly, to four years in prison for coup plotting. A campaign for the respect of Human Rights, the fight against corruption in Cote d’Ivoire and Russia’s interests in the Ivorian petrol sector are the other major issues in today’s Ivorian press.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): A prominent story said that barring the unexpected, Illinois Senator Barack Obama will be officially endorsed as the Democrat presidential candidate. According to the paper, President George W. Bush congratulated Senator Obama, who has become the first African American nominee of a major party in any U.S. presidential race. Senator Obama’s victory, President Bush reportedly said, showed that the United States has "changed considerably." In a commentary, the paper said that Senator Obama’s nomination was "a big lesson in democracy and equal rights" for countries, including Cote d’Ivoire, that were confronted with "an identity problem." The paper went on to comment "Thank God this problem, which had seriously undermined the national cohesion in Cote d’Ivoire, has been solved and the Ivorian opposition leader, Alassane Dramane Ouattara, has now been allowed to vie for the presidency."

2. Another banner headline that ran across Fraternite Matin said that the European Union is to provide about 337 million US dollars in support of the peace process and development projects in Cote d’Ivoire. According to the paper, this was announced June 4 in Brussels by the EU Aid Commissioner, Louis Michel, during a press conference held after talks with Cote d’Ivoire’s Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro, who is on a visit to Europe. "We want to show the continuity of our commitment to support the peace process underway in this country. We strongly believe that there is a political will on the part of all key players to work together in order to achieve a lasting peace," the paper quoted the EU Aid Commissioner as saying. The EU also expressed its hopes that the electoral process will be conducted in "good conditions," indicated the paper.

3. Several Ivorian papers, including the independent daily L’inter, informed readers that a court in France sentenced on June 4 the former Ivorian rebel leader, Ibrahim Coulibaly, to four years in prison for coup plotting. According to the paper, Ibrahim Coulibaly, alias IB, was tried in absentia. The court also convicted seven other people and gave them sentences ranging from a 12-month suspended jail term to 30 months in prison, while five others were acquitted, reported the paper.

4. In a separate story, L’inter hinted that soldiers based in a military barrack in Abidjan are threatening to go on rampage on June 6 to demand food allowances. According to the paper, the disgruntled soldiers supported government troops in fighting the former rebellion in Cote d’Ivoire. "We left the frontlines last February. We were promised that our food allowances would be paid. As of May 2008, we’ve got nothing and we now realize that the high military command is fooling us," the paper quoted one of the disgruntled soldiers as saying.

5. L’intelligent d’Abidjan (a privately-owned daily): The paper quoted Ali Ouattara, leader of a group called "Ivorian Coalition for the International Criminal Court," as saying, "Impunity is the main obstacle to a lasting peace in Cote d’Ivoire." According to the paper, the Ivorian activist is pushing for a visit to Cote d’Ivoire by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court. On the amnesty law that was passed by the Ivorian authorities, Ouattara said: "No amnesty law should cover war crimes like genocide, as well as other crimes against humanity, in Cote d’Ivoire and elsewhere in the world."

6. Nord-Sud Quotidien (a pro-opposition daily): In a front-page item, the paper questioned whether President Laurent Gbagbo is "able" to combat corruption within the army, when he is not prepared to provide the necessary means to eradicate the "cancer." In a related development, another pro-opposition daily, Le Patriote, floated the opinion that President Gbagbo’s move to fight corruption was "politically motivated." Still on the issue of corruption, Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) said that the entrance examination to the national police academy has been halted following reports that the enrollment fees were "embezzled."

7. On economic issues, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) reported that Russian businessmen want to inject about 295 million US dollars into the petrol sector in Cote d’Ivoire. The announcement was made yesterday by the chairman of Lukoil Overseas Holding after talks with President Gbagbo in Abidjan.

June 4, 2008

Le Temps, a daily close to the ruling FPI party, today ran a commentary focusing on the likely candidacy of Barack Obama. Le Jour Plus, a daily close to the opposition, carried a prominent story saying that the United Nations has rejected an amnesty law passed by the Ivorian authorities. Other stories included the African Development Bank’s financial support to post-crisis projects in Cote d’Ivoire; the presence of Ivorian Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro, at the United Nations food summit in Rome, Italy; and a move to set up a West African joint military force.

1. Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party): Commenting on the results of yesterday’s primaries in the United States, the paper said that it is now clear that Barack Obama will represent the Democratic party in the upcoming American presidential elections. The commentary noted that Obama is poised to fulfill the dream of Martin Luther King, Jr.

2. Le Jour Plus (a privately-owned daily close to the opposition) carried a prominent story reporting on the United Nations’ criticism of an amnesty law passed by Ivorian authorities. According to the paper, the law, promulgated on April 12, 2007, covered war crimes committed in Cote d’Ivoire. The paper told readers that the call to "revise the amnesty law to ensure that it conforms to international standards" came from Deputy United Nations Human Rights High Commissioner Kyung-Wha Kang, who met with the country’s authorities a couple of weeks ago. "In accordance with the universally-recognized principles of international law and practices of the United Nations, no amnesty is possible for war crimes and crimes against humanity and other serious violations of human rights," the paper quoted the United Nations as saying.

3. Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition): A front-page story in this paper said that disagreement between the National Statistics Institute (INS) and the French Group SAGEM over the identification of the Ivorian population and the establishment of a voter registry is not yet over. The paper alleged that the INS, which is supported by the ruling FPI party, has "changed the rules" that govern the conduct of the program. It went on to say that this dispute is motivated by political, electoral and financial concerns.

4. In a front-page story, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling party) speculated about "a cabinet shakeup" in Cote d’Ivoire. Citing a reliable source, the paper said that the New Forces’ leadership is yet to give up its idea of setting up a cabinet that would be composed only of members from the two sides (the presidential camp and the ex-rebel movement) that signed the March 2007 Ouagadougou Political Agreement. According to the paper, President Blaise Compaore, who is the facilitator in the Ivorian peace process, strongly opposed this plan.

5. Speaking from Rome, where he is attending the ongoing United Nations food summit, the Ivorian Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro, was quoted by Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) as saying that "The situation in Cote d’Ivoire may deteriorate if no adequate actions are taken to address the food problem facing this country." Soro reportedly called upon the international community to support his country, which is trying to organize presidential elections to resolve the political crisis, reported the paper.

6. In a separate story, Fraternite Matin reported that the African Development Bank donated about 35 million US dollars to Cote d’Ivoire to support the country’s post-crisis programs. The announcement was made yesterday, said the paper, which indicated that the funds will be utilized to finance projects aimed at restoring state authority and redeploying the public administration in the former New Forces-controlled zones.

7. Finally, Fraternite Matin reported that military officers from West African countries have been meeting since June 3 in Abidjan in order to lay down the groundwork for the creation of FAC – an ECOWAS joint military force. The setting up of this force was recommended by the African Union, which supports asking African regional groups to put in place regional brigades that will be tasked with restoring and maintaining peace in member states that face a crisis.

June 3, 2008

The state-owned daily, Fraternite Matin, devoted many columns to a nationwide anti-corruption campaign that was launched yesterday by Cote d’Ivoire security forces. The relationship between Cote d’Ivoire and the World Bank; the presence of Ivorian Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro, at the United Nations food summit in Rome, Italy; and the ban of some Ivorian newspapers for "illegal operation" by the National Press Council (CNP), a state-owned print media watchdog committee were also top stories in today’s papers.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): A prominent story in this paper said that many communal buses and taxis widely known as "Gbaka and Woro Woro" were grounded yesterday, as Ivorian security forces launched a nationwide campaign aimed at stamping out corruption. The paper quoted the Ivorian Army Chief of Staff, General Philippe Mangou, as saying, "The high command of the army has now joined forces to fight racketeering." He explained that they want to restore the prestige of the security forces whose image has been tarnished by the conduct of a minority. According to the paper, the move was also designed to reduce roadblocks so as "to facilitate free movement of people and goods throughout the country." In this regard, the Ivorian army commander ordered security forces not to allow any vehicle which lacks official documents to do business, reported the paper. [Note: Gbaka and Woro Woro drivers often lack official documents and are frequently forced to pay off security officials at informal checkpoints set up on the streets.]

2. In a separate story, Fraternite Matin told readers that "some security forces ignored the campaign and continued to extort money from taxi drivers." Reacting to the event, the President of the Ivorian Chamber of Commerce, Jean Louis Billon, told the paper that "What we want is that the free movement of people and goods becomes a reality on the ground. This means that a vehicle that leaves Abidjan at 6:00 AM should be able to arrive at the destination at the end of the day. The roadblocks are making it difficult for vehicles to do that and all heavy trucks and traders have been affected by this phenomenon. We hope that this campaign does not turn out to be just a fanfare."

3. The relationship between Cote d’Ivoire and the World Bank was atop the agenda yesterday, when President Laurent Gbagbo held talks with a delegation of the Breton Wood Institution in Abidjan, reported Fraternite Matin. It quoted the head of the World Bank’s delegation as saying that "Cote d’Ivoire has paid off its arrears vis-à-vis the bank. In return, the bank has agreed to support the country through a broad financial program that will take into account urban reconstruction projects, anti-HIV/AIDS campaigns, good governance, and budgetary support, estimated at 389 million dollars." According to the paper, another development program estimated at 130 million dollars will be signed by the end of this year between the World Bank and Cote d’Ivoire.

4. On a different issue, Fraternite Matin told readers that the Ivorian Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro, will address June 3 the United Nations food summit underway in Rome, Italy. Earlier on June 2, reported the paper, Soro held talks with the Director of the Food and Agriculture Organization, Jacques Diouf, who expressed satisfaction about "Cote d’Ivoire’s commitment to help resolve the serious food crisis that is facing many countries in the world."

5. Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition RDR party): The paper which was banned yesterday for "illegal operation" by the National Press Council (CNP) reappeared today in the newsstands. In an interview, the Chief Editor of the paper, Charles Sanga, explained that his paper, which together with 32 other newspapers, was banned from publication June 2, was the victim of what he called "administrative dysfunction, since the papers he had sent showing that his company was in conformity with the law had not been processed in time." [Note: The papers were closed because they did not meet various technical legal requirements relating to companies that publish newspapers.]

7. On the same issue, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) published a statement issued by the National Press Council "lifting the ban on four newspapers including Le Patriote after they complied with the law on the press in Cote d’Ivoire."

Media Coverage of Embassy’s Activities

L’inter (a privately-owned daily): A story in this daily reported on a program at the American Embassy in Abidjan that focused on Republican candidate John McCain. This was one of a series focusing on major candidates in the primaries.

June 2, 2008

The decision by the National Press Council (CNP), a state-owned print media watchdog committee, to ban some Ivorian newspapers for "illegal operation" triggered reactions in today’s press. News reports also said that the French group SAGEM – an institution that has been tasked to conduct the identification of the Ivorian population ahead of the presidential election – and the National Statistics Institute (INS) have reached an agreement on the modalities of how to carry out the program. The issue of corruption; a report of child abuse by UN peacekeepers and aid workers and a spate of malaria in Cote d’Ivoire are the other top stories in today’s Ivorian media.

1. L’inter (an independent newspaper): "For illegal operation, some newspapers – including Le Patriote, a daily close to the opposition RDR party – have been closed down today," said a report in this paper. The paper quoted the Chairman of CNP, Eugene Die Kacou, as saying that "this decision to close down these newspapers was taken with the Attorney General’s approval… The suspension of these newspapers was supposed to be effected May 2, 2008, but the GEPCI (Groupement des Editeurs de Presse de Cote d’Ivoire) – an association of newspaper publishers – had asked for a reprieve in order to enable defaulting newspapers to abide by the law." Die Kacou, reported the paper, said that "The CNP is looking forward to engaging in a dialogue with the publishers in order to resolve the matter."

2. Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party): A front-page story in this paper said that "the CNP closes down 32 newspapers." The paper quoted the President of GEPCI, Denis Kah Zion, who was commenting on the issue, as saying that "Frankly speaking, this decision of the CNP was legal. Some publishers’ operation violates the law. Therefore, the decision that had been taken against us is totally legal because it is in accordance with the law." In a separate interview, the paper quoted the Chief Editor of Le Patriote, Charles Sanga, who called the CNP’s decision "arbitrary." Sanga went on to say: "Le Patriote is not illegal," and then vowed: "Tuesday [tomorrow], our newspaper will be published." [NOTE: A source at the CNP said that the newspapers that have been closed down violated Articles 6, 12, and 13 of the Law on the Press in Cote d’Ivoire (Law of 2004 – 643 of December 14, 2004: http://www.lecnp.com/loi/loi_portant_regime_juridique.pdf. These articles deal with registration, the level of capitalization and other issues relating to the nature of the parent publishing company.]

3. L’intelligent d’Abidjan (an independent daily): The paper carried a banner headline reading: "INS and SAGEM have buried the hatchet," as it commented on an agreement reached Friday between the two institutions on the mode of operation of the identification program. According to the paper, the two bodies signed an agreement on how to conduct this operation. It further commented that "through this signature, INS and SAGEM have settled a major problem that would have put in jeopardy the calendar of the peace process and particularly the date of the upcoming presidential election."

4. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): "At long last INS and SAGEM have agreed on a single mode of operation for the identification program," said a prominent story on the front page of the paper. The paper published the full text of a statement issued by the Cabinet of the Prime Minister after the signing of this agreement on May 31, 2008. The paper quoted the statement as saying: "The mode of operation includes three stages: The enrollment of the population, data analysis and establishment of identity documents, notably the national identity cards, voters’ register and voters’ cards." Excerpts of this statement also said that "This mode of operation has been validated by the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI), National Identification Office (ONI) and the National Commission for Supervision of Identification. This mode of operation will be transmitted to the government for the purpose of adopting a decree."

5. As preparations for the forthcoming presidential election are underway, a banner headline on the front page of Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition) announced that the Ivorian opposition figure, Alassane Dramane Ouattara, has selected cadres of the party to spearhead his political campaign. "We’ll do everything possible to win the presidential election," Ouattara was quoted as telling supporters over the weekend in Abidjan.

6. In a prominent story on its front page, Fraternite Matin quoted President Laurent Gbagbo, who vowed "to crackdown" on corruption in Cote d’Ivoire. Gbagbo, who was speaking Saturday in Abidjan at a meeting, called the spate of corruption in his country "a catastrophe." The paper further quoted the Ivorian President as saying: "The public administration is the backbone of the State. If the administration is rotten and if each person is trying to amass wealth to the detriment of the people, then there would be no administration. Result: The State would not exist any longer." Gbagbo also reportedly said that, "The war against corruption would contribute to the resolution of the current political crisis and also help revive the country’s economy."

7. In a prominent story, L’inter told readers about the ordeal of Elisabeth, "a 12-year old girl who was gang-raped by ten Blue Helmets in the northwestern region of Cote d’Ivoire." In an item culled from a BBC web site’s story on a Save the Children report released recently on abuse of children by UN peacekeepers, the paper quoted Elisabeth as saying: "They grabbed me and threw me to the ground and they forced themselves on me… I tried to escape but there were 10 of them and I could do nothing… I was terrified… Then they just left me there bleeding…" The report further said: "Elizabeth’s brutal rape is one of an unknown number of sexual assaults carried out by peacekeepers and aid workers, the very people who are brought in to post-conflict areas around the world to protect the vulnerable."

8. Finally, in its front-page, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) carried an alarming report saying that "the life of 27,000 children is threatened, as malaria is causing havoc in Cote d’Ivoire." According to the paper, this was announced by the Ivorian Health Minister, who said that if no action is taken, "Those children will die before they attain the age of one."