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Côte d'Ivoire: American Embassy's National Daily Press Review


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United States Embassy (Abidjan)

12 February 2008
Posted to the web 19 February 2008

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

Today's Ivorian papers reported that a fire broke out yesterday at RTI - the state-owned Broadcasting Corporation in Abidjan. Dailies also expressed concerns about the delay in the disarmament of New Forces' ex-combatants. Papers also reported on infighting among the leadership of the opposition Rally of the Republicans party.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): A front-page story in this paper said that a fire caused heavy damage at the state-owned Broadcasting Corporation in Abidjan. According to the paper, the fire, which broke out last night, completely destroyed a technical unit. Programs on both radio Cote d'Ivoire and the national television networks were briefly interrupted, reported the paper, which showed pictures of firefighters who came in for rescue. It also quoted eyewitnesses who indicated that the fire came from an air-conditioner.

2. A prominent story on the front-page of Soir Info (a privately-owned daily) said that "the disarmament of the former combatants of the New Forces hangs in the balance." The paper indicated that since the beginning of the peace process, the disarmament of the ex-combatants has virtually become "the main obstacles" in the peace process. It also quoted New Forces' soldiers as saying that they will lay down their guns after the elections. The paper further reported that the leadership of the New Forces has expressed concerns regarding the capacity and the state of the sites designed for the cantonment of the former combatants. These problems are "real" commented the paper, which called upon the government to help resolve them.

3. Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI): The paper also carried a front-page item saying that the disarmament of former fighters in Man, in the western region of Cote d'Ivoire, is running into "difficulties," as the sites, where they are supposed to gather, are not yet "operational." According to the paper, "the cantonment of the ex-combatants has not got underway, and the former fighters continue normal business." It quoted a military commander of the New Forces in this region as saying, "We need a minimum of comfort for our soldiers."

4. Le Temps (a daily close to Gbagbo) also carried a two-page in-depth report explaining the delay of the disarmament of the former fighters. According to the paper the CCI - Integrated Command Center (a joint government forces and New Forces unit) is "aware of the problems" that are delaying the disarmament scheme. The paper quoted a source close to the CCI as saying that, "The delay is due to technical and not financial problems." The source, reported the paper, indicated that the CCI is doing everything possible to resolve the problems.

5. After noting the impediments that are blocking the disarmament scheme, Soir Info predicts that the upcoming elections planned to be held in June this year could be "delayed." The paper commented that the New Forces have welcome the idea of holding elections without disarmament, while the presidential camp, led by the ruling FPI party, is pressing for disarmament before the polls.

6. In a related development, Fraternite Matin reported that the Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI), Robert Beugre Mambe, yesterday gave "an overview of the electoral rolls" that will be used during the upcoming elections. Speaking after a meeting with President Laurent Gbagbo, the Ivorian electoral commissioner said that the components of voter register will include: "The 2000 electoral rolls, potential voters who did not register in 2000, and those who have come to age or those who will have 18 years by March 31 of this year."

7. A banner headline that ran across Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) said that cadres of the opposition RDR party have been engulfed in "a power struggle" over the executive positions within the party. The paper suggested that the president of RDR, Alassane Dramane Ouattara, should quickly settle "these infightings" that are likely to throw the party into disarray.

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West Africa
Côte d'Ivoire
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L'inter (a privately-owned daily): The paper reported positively on a conference organized by the US Embassy on the role of religion in society. The gathering featured five International Visitor returnees who used the occasion to share their experiences and insights gained during their visit to the United States.


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