United States Embassy (Abidjan)
21 August 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. Today's news reports say the Ivorian Army Chief of Staff, Major General Philippe Mangou, visited Akouedo's military barrack in Abidjan yesterday in an attempt to assuage the crisis between the military and the government. But front-page stories in dailies close to President Laurent Gbagbo say that the Ouagadougou Agreement -- signed last March in the Burkinabe capital -- is "seriously under threat."
2. "The Ouagadougou Agreement in danger: They want to assassinate Gbagbo, Soro and Mangou," says a banner headline that runs across Le Temps, a daily close Gbagbo. The paper carries a two-page in-depth report alleging that, just as Ivorians have rekindled hope, the opposition groups have crafted what it calls "a destabilizing plan" to be executed "on August 25, 2007."
3. The objective of the plan, the paper suggests, is "to assassinate the president of the Republic, the prime minister, the army chief of staff, and other top political figures." While the New Forces are taking the threat seriously, the defense and security forces say "we're ready to foil any attempt to destabilize the country," reports Le Temps.
4. In a related development, Le Matin d'Abidjan, another daily close to Gbagbo, unveils what it calls "the secret behind a French-designed coup d'etat." The paper allegedly reports that, "The Ivorian opposition leader, Alassane Dramane Ouattara and ex-commander of the Ivorian army - General Mathias Doue - are believed to be part of a plan aimed at overthrowing Ivorian legal institutions."
5. "With the support of France," suggests the paper, "The opposition groups want to use the army to create confusion that would necessitate the intervention of La Licorne - French troops in Cote d'Ivoire -- and force Gbagbo to descend from power."
6. Citing reliable sources, the paper indicates that, "In a bid to psychologically prepare the public opinion to accepting the coup in theory, the architects used the ranks and war allowances issues to sap the morale of soldiers." Regarding the mood in the military barracks days after the meeting between Gbagbo and soldiers, the paper warns that "tension has not yet come down."
7. In a front-page story, Notre Voie, a daily close to the ruling FPI party, tells readers "the origin of these rumors that created anger in the military barracks." It reassures the population that, "All these rumors, which were peddled by section of the press, were pure fabrication."
8. "Anger in the garrisons: Mangou tries to calm down soldiers," writes Le Courrier d'Abidjan, a daily close to Gbagbo. "Since yesterday, the Ivorian army commander has been touring the military barracks, trying to resolve the differences between soldiers and the government," indicates the paper.
9. "It's more useful to work for peace than to go to war," said Major General Magou in the privately-owned L'intelligent d'Abidjan.
10. According to Le Nouveau Reveil, Magou added, "I'm here for you," speaking to soldiers in Akouedo's military barracks. The paper, close to the ex-ruling party PDCI-RDA comments, "In the face of angry soldiers, Magou begs for pardon."
11. A front-page story in 24 Heures, a daily close to the opposition, says, "Former New Forces combatants are unhappy because of their miserable living conditions." Regarding the forthcoming elections, the paper predicts "clash that could oppose Gbagbo to Soro," who, reports the paper, called for "no more rigged elections in this country."
12. A front-page story in the state-owned daily, Fraternite Matin, says that the government needs 7 billion FCFA (about 14.4 million dollars) to help people displaced by the war to return home. The announcement was made yesterday by the Minister of Solidarity and War Victims.
13. According to Nord-Sud Quotidien, the coastal commune of Port-Bouet was stricken by a tidal wave, as a tremor hit 1,800 km off the coast of Cote d'Ivoire on August 14.
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