allAfrica.com: Côte d'Ivoire: American Embassy's National Daily Press Review (Page 1 of 1)

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. Conflict between Gendarmes and taxi drivers, President Laurent Gbagbo's recent visit to the north and the visit to Cote d'Ivoire of the French Minister of Defense are the major issues in today's Ivoirian press

2. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): The paper reports that the retaliation of "CECOS" elements (Center of Command of security operations) against "gbakas" (mini buses) drivers continued yesterday, making difficult the life of the populations in Abidjan. According to the paper, in reprisals for the beating of two of their colleagues last Wednesday, the Gendarmes of CECOS attacked and beat all the gbakas' drivers they met in the streets of Abidjan, killing one of them and injuring 28 others.

The paper also reports the meeting the French Minister of Defense had yesterday with President Gbagbo. During their meeting, the French Minister is quoted as saying: "My mission here is to visit French troops like "La Licorne" and to tell President Gbagbo that our wish is that the implementation of the Ouagadougou Agreement takes effect in order to quickly go to normalization and have elections".

3. In l'Intelligent d'Abidjan (an independent daily), a front-story headline says: "Fight between Cecos and Gbaka drivers, many drivers injured after the clash. According the paper, one driver died, 32 other were injured and 19 vehicles damaged as the result of reprisal of CECOS against drivers who beat two members of CECOS last Wednesday.

L'Intelligent d'Abidjan also reports that there is hostility between Guillaume Soro and Desiré Tragro, the Minister of Interior. That hostility began during the direct dialogue in Ouagadougou. According to the paper, the New Forces delegation did not want annexes of the Agreement in which dates were requested for disarmament and elections to be considered as a full part of the accord because their wish was to have a three-year transition. But Desire Tagro, who is a lawyer, saw the trap and insisted that the annexes to the Agreement must be considered as being a full part of the agreement.

The paper also reports that during the French Minister of Defense visit yesterday, he said that the French troops will not depart Cote d'Ivoire now. He is quoted as saying: "The departure of the French troops is not on the agenda although things are getting better since the signature of the Ouagadougou Agreement. We will retrieve our troops when we have the sentiment that normalization is underway and there is no more risk of conflict."

4. Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI) says: "Presidential elections: Bedié, president of PDCI, and Ouattara, president of RDR give up". According to the paper, as Bedié and Ouattara do not rely any more on success during the upcoming presidential elections, they have set their heart on parliamentary elections in order to keep suspense among the population and continue their gruesome game.

The paper also reports that the French Minister of Defense met President Gbagbo on Wednesday night. After his meeting, he told journalists that things are getting better in Cote d'Ivoire.

5. In 24 Heures (a daily close to the opposition), a front- page story says: "Governor of BCEAO (Central Bank of West African States), Bohoun Bouabré, I am not an applicant." According to the paper, during the launching ceremony for a new magazine whose sponsor was Bohoun Bouabré, Minister of Planning and Development, he took the opportunity to deny allegations of Jeune Afrique accusing him of activism to gain the favor of some African Heads of State to occupy the position of Governor of the Bank. He admitted he met Burkina's President at the request of President Gbagbo.

The paper also reports that after his meeting with President Gbagbo last Wednesday, the French Minister of Defense met Prime Minister Soro Guillaume yesterday. After the audience, he told journalists that questions concerning the new Ivorian army is a priority for his country.

6. "Governor of BCEAO, Compaoré breaks the dream of Bohoun Bouabré," is the front-page story in Le Nouveau Réveil (a daily close to the opposition PDCI). According to the paper, the new governor of the West African States' Central Bank, which will be designated on January 16, 2008 in Ouagadougou to replace Charles Konan Banny, will not be Bohoun Bouabré unless a miracle happens. The paper reports that when a Jeune Afrique journalist asked him why he was pushing his candidacy for the position of governor, the Minister replied: "At the request of President Gbagbo I met President Compaore but he told me to see the other heads of state as he is not the only one which decides."

7. "Robbed three times within five months, who wants to reduce to silence Nord-Sud Quotidien?" is the question in Nord-Sud Quotidien's (a daily close to the opposition) front-page story. According to the paper, this is the third time that their newspaper has been robbed. All the computers have been taken and the editing room ransacked. The editor in chief reassured his colleagues that he is determined to maintain the newspaper in its editorial line of objectivity, neutrality and professionalism in the treatment of information.

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