United States Embassy (Abidjan)
12 July 2007
This daily press review is compiled by the Information Section of the Public Affairs Office of the American Embassy in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
1. Ivoirian newspapers say that the Council of Ministers meeting yesterday in Abidjan resulted in a request to the United Nations to set up a commission to investigate the June 29 attack against the Ivoirian Prime Minister. Reports also say the meeting has set a date of July 30 for the peace torch ceremony in Bouake that will mark the beginning of the disarmament process in Cote d'Ivoire.
2. With a grip and grin picture of Soro and Gbagbo on its front page, the state-owned daily, Fraternite Matin, announces that, "The Ivoirian government has petitioned the United Nations, asking the world body to set up an international commission to look into the failed attack in Bouake." This was one of the major decisions made yesterday during the Council of the Ministers meeting, "the first one," since Soro Guillaume survived an assassination attempt in his stronghold, indicates the paper.
3. The paper also tells readers that the peace torch ceremony that will mark the end of the crisis and the reunification of Cote d'Ivoire will now be held on July 30, 2007 in Bouake. Citing reliable sources close to the Cabinet of the Prime Minister, the paper discloses that, "Soro asked the commanders of the Ivorian National Armed Forces, the UN peacekeeping forces, and the French troops to work together to ensure security during the ceremony."
4. In a separate development, Fraternite Matin quotes Ambassador Aubrey Hooks as saying, "It's difficult to leave your country." According to the paper, the US diplomat was speaking yesterday at the Presidential Palace during a meeting with Ivoirian leader Laurent Gbagbo. Commenting on the peace process underway in this West African country, Hooks, reports the paper, expressed "optimism" and underscored "the progress" that has been made by the protagonists.
5. Le Front, a daily close to the New Forces, describes the government's decision to ask the United Nations to take charge of the investigations into the Bouake attack as the only way that can lead to "the truth."
6. Meanwhile, Nord-Sud Quotidien, a daily close to the opposition, warns that, "Another attack against Soro could be possible." It writes: "The danger is not yet over. The commando who launched the attack against the Presidential Jet carrying Soro did not accomplish his mission. Despite the carnage, the main target escaped death. According to reliable sources, the commando has taken refuge in Abidjan." The other scenario, suggests the paper, could be "taking the advantage during a public gathering to target the Prime Minister."
7. Quoting Sidwaya - a Burkinabe newspaper - Le Patriote, a daily close to the opposition RDR party, insists that, "Soro will be protected by Burkinabe soldiers." According to the paper, "Gbagbo and Compaore discussed the issue in Accra last week, on the margins of AU Summit held in the Ghanaian capital."
9. L'inter, a privately-owned daily tells readers that it has learned from insiders that, "relations between the New Forces and UN soldiers in Cote d'Ivoire have become strained over the issue of Soro's security."
10. "I'm in office," Notre Voie, a daily close to the ruling FPI party, quotes Tia Kone as saying. The President of the Ivoirian Supreme Court was reacting to news reports saying that "he was fired by Gbagbo."
11. Apparently concerned by their security, journalists have called on the Ivoirian authorities to put in place what Notre Voie calls "an emergency plan." According to the paper, the call came after "offices of four newspapers were attacked."
12. A front-page story carried by the privately-owned daily L'intelligent d'Abidjan says, "One person was killed, six other were injured, and 59 vehicles were destroyed following fighting that opposed security forces and taxi drivers in Abidjan."
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