This daily press review is compiled by the Information Section of the Public Affairs Office of the American Embassy in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

A pro-government Ivorian newspaper today reported that President George Bush congratulated his Ivorian counterpart Laurent Gbagbo and the Prime Minister Guillaume Soro for "the progress" made so far as part of the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement. Papers also talked about the meeting of the CPC - a committee overseeing the implementation of this agreement - due to be held today in Ouagadougou. Corruption, pillage of state coffers, illicit enrichment in Cote d'Ivoire, as well as the American economy are other prominent issues that were highlighted in today's Ivorian newspapers.

1. With a picture of Bush and Ambassador Charles Yao Koffi - Cote d'Ivoire's new Ambassador to US - on its front-page, Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party) carried a headline entitled: "George Bush congratulates Gbagbo and Soro." The paper published the full text of a statement issued by the embassy of Cote d'Ivoire in Washington, after Ambassador Charles Yao Koffi presented his credentials. According to the paper, "President Bush used this occasion to express his government's firm support to the Ouagadougou Political Agreement." In the statement, Bush was quoted as saying: "This agreement made it possible to accomplish a giant stride in the resolution of the Ivorian crisis, with notably the formation of Transitional Government; suppression of the confidence zone; and gradual restoration of the state of law and public services throughout the country. We also congratulate you for your efforts aimed at preparing the upcoming elections. We note with satisfaction the organization of the audiences foraines [public identity hearings], the effective beginning of the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of ex-combatants. The American Government encourages the Ivorian Government to continue its efforts for the full application of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement... For it is vital for the United States to see Cote d'Ivoire play its role in the sub-region."

2. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): The paper devoted two pages to the ongoing global economic recession, which it said was caused by "American property crisis." According to the paper, this financial turbulence started in 2006, and it was only last year that the world realized the existence of this disaster. The paper then wondered about the future of the economies in Africa. It quoted Claude Adou, a finance expert, as saying, "This crisis is affecting stock markets worldwide. But for the mean time, African stock markets have been spared from this crisis because they have no problems."

3. On the debate on the state of corruption, pillage of state coffers, and illicit enrichment in Cote d'Ivoire, L'intelligent d'Abidjan (a privately-owned daily) quoted Gbagbo, as saying "there are some people who were miserable, but suddenly became rich." According to the paper, the president said this yesterday to RTI- Cote d'Ivoire's national television - after the continuing New Year's messages ceremony.

4. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily) presented President Gbagbo's elaboration of "his philosophy" to stamp out embezzlement, impunity, and theft from his country. Gbagbo is quoted as saying: "My role does not consist of warning anybody. At this moment, my priority is the peace process. People who are stealing are not necessarily my companions. I see a lot of stealing. And I want to tell you that many people will be tried. For the moment, we're heading slowly towards the end of the crisis."

5. L'inter (a privately-owned daily): The paper told readers that Ivorian political stakeholders are set for "a crucial meeting," as the CPC - a committee overseeing the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement - is due to gather today in Ouagadougou. The paper quoted the Burkinabe Foreign Affairs Minister, Djibril Bassole, who, said: "We've reached a turning point which includes the preparation of the elections. It's therefore appropriate for the Ivorian political stakeholders to meet in order to present their views on the electoral process."

6. In another story, L'inter reported that a leading Ivorian political figure expressed "skepticism" on the possibility to organize presidential elections tentatively slated for June this year. The paper quoted Laurent Dona Fologo, President of the Economic and Social Council, as saying: "The decision to hold the polls in June is not a gospel, it's a political agreement. If conditions are not met, there would be no elections in June. I'd suggest that all conditions are met..." Among these conditions include: "Accurate and transparent electoral rolls that could be controlled by all parties, and a successful identification process," the paper quoted Fologo as saying.