United States Embassy (Abidjan)
14 March 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 Highlights are President Gbagbo Laurent's television interview about the Ivorian crisis, the elections, the process of the crisis settlement, the disarmament process, and the case of Ibrahim Coulibaly, alias IB, the alleged actor of the attempted coups d'etats of 2003 and December 2007.
1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): In an in-depth article, the main daily reported the television interview the Ivorian president had with 8 African TV stations in his village. The interview focused on the Ivorian crisis settlement. The president asserted that there is no disagreement about any issue related to the crisis settlement, reported the paper. About the Ouagadougou Peace Agreement, he added that he is pride of the implementation of the agreement which provides measures for the reunification of the country, a prerequisite for the organization of free and fair presidential polls.
2. In accordance with the Ouagadougou Peace Agreement, the United Nations Organization contributed to the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reinsertion process by the rehabilitation of the sites in Ferkessedougou (North region of the country). These sites will accommodate 250 soldiers before their insertion to the army, reported Fraternite Matin.
3. Nord-Sud Quotidien (a pro-opposition paper) : A front page story read : 'The crisis settlement process : Soro empowers women and youth'. The paper carried out that the Prime Minister Soro Guillaume said: 'After having built the foundations for the crisis settlement, women and youth have to take responsibility to consolidate the peace process'.
4. General Mangou, the National Armed Forces leader asserted that the soldiers from the front of central Cote d'Ivoire rejoined their different units. This is a positive sign of the normalization of the situation. He added that the soldiers from the Central-west and the west of the country will follow the same action after the visit of President Laurent Gbagbo in this part of the country. 'General Mangou and his troops are determined to make peace', the paper reported.
5. Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party): The daily reported that The Ivorian Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro met with a delegation of the United Nations Organization including the Director of the African Division of the Department of Peace-making Operations and the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General in Cote d'Ivoire. He reported about the objective of the mission saying that the UNO week long visit to Cote d'Ivoire allowed them to have a clear idea of the positive progress of the peace process.
6. Le Patriote (a daily close to the RDR party): This daily focused on women involment in the struggle for equlity, justice, peace, and development. To celebrate the International Women day, 90 women gathered to speak out on the behalf of the millions of women for equal rights in all sectors of life. They proclaimed that women have always advocated for a better world.
7. L'inter (a privately-owned daily): In a front page story, the paper read: 'IB's men reported in San-Pedro'. The paper indicated that Ibrahim Coulibaly, alias IB partisans were preparing an assault against the Ivorian ruling party, from San-Pedro. The paper qualified this article, from an unknown source, as a strategic way to destabilize Cote d'Ivoire.
8. Soir Info (a independent dayly): The daily highlited in its front page: 'The military are returning to their barracks'. During a ceremony, General Philippe Mangou, the Ivorian Armed Forces leader, asserted that the armed forces are definitely joining their units after more than five years at the front. This is a sign of the advancement of the of the Demobilization, Disarmament, and Reinsertion process.
9. Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI): a front page story reported: 'After 5 years at the front,400 soldiers come back to Abidjan'. Within the context of the Demobilization, Disarmament, and the Reinsertion process, the paper reported Philippe Mangou addressing the soldiers to fully implement the Ouagadougou Peace Agreement, to forgive and commit themselves to the peace-making process.
10. Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition): The daily reported that to support the Demobilization, the Disarmament, and the Reinsertion process the United Nations Organization in Cote d'Ivoire will dedicate to the government the sites he rehabilitated for the collection of weapons. The ONU also contributed to the statement of the procedures of the milices disarmament.
11.The paper reported in a separate article about the presidential elections initially scheduled for June 2008. It pointed out the concern about the delay of the reinsertion process of ex-soldiers and wondered if the elections would meet with the deadline set by the Ouagadougou Peace agreement.
12. Le Temps (a daily close to Gbagbo): A front page story displays: 'All right for the elections, but disarmament first'. The paper reported President Gbagbo's television interview during which he clearly stated his willingness to definitely put an end to the crisis and organize the elections. He added that according to Ouagadougou Peace Agreement, the prerequisite to fair elections are the disarmament and the reunification of the country. He is aware of the difficulties about the implementation of the agreement, reported the paper.
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