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

The peace process underway in Cote d'Ivoire; the disarmament of New Forces soldiers; the visit of French economic operators to Gbagbo; and the issues surrounding former New Forces military commander, Kone Zacharia, who was sacked by the leadership for indiscipline are the major news stories in today's newspapers.

1. In Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): the front-page story said: "In connection with the relationships with France, Gbagbo said: there will never be a breaking off in the relationship with France". According to the paper, French investors who left Cote d'Ivoire following the sad events, which happened in November 2004, want to return. The paper said, the investors met with President Gbagbo yesterday and apologized for what the former French leaders did to Cote d'Ivoire.

The paper also reported that ECOWAS offered 200 million CFA to the Independent Electoral Commission as their support to the peace process in Cote d'Ivoire.

2. "After the November 2004 crisis, the French businessmen to Gbagbo: We beg for your pardon" is the headline of Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling FPI party). According to the paper, the French companies, which were impacted by the November 2004's events, will come back soon. Mr. Balzer, president of ADESCI (the Association for the defense of the French enterprises impacted in Cote d'Ivoire) paid a tribute to President Gbagbo for his sense of justice. He is quoted as saying: "We were hostages and victims of the politics of former French leaders, who sacrificed us on the altar for their interests. This is why we beg for your pardon. We know that our departure from Cote d'Ivoire gave a bad image of your politics and of Cote d'Ivoire. But we, children of Cote d'Ivoire, we want to re-establish the truth to the international scene to give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar."

Notre Voie also reported that the ex-commander of Seguela, Kone Zacharia, who ran away, found refuge in Burkina Faso, where it is rumored that he had been arrested by Burkina authorities. The paper said that Mr. Zacharia adopted a rebel attitude within his movement and was against the Ouagadougou Agreement. The paper said he was campaigning against Soro and Wattao, Deputy Chief of Staff of the New Forces, by telling the troops under his control that by signing the Ouagadougou Agreement, Soro and Wattao betrayed their fight and made a pact with President Gbagbo.

3. Le Patriote (a daily close to the opposition): "To weaken the New Forces, the ruling party, FPI wants to isolate ex-member of the New Forces, Kone Zacharia from Soro." According to the paper, while New Forces are doing everything to settle their internal disagreements, FPI is making plans to deepen the gap between Zacharia and his hierarchy. To that effect, Zacharia is presented like an insubordinate soldier and rebel against the Ouagadougou Agreement. (NOTE: In newspapers close to FPI, Koné Zacharia is presented as someone who never agreed with Soro Guillaume.)

4. The front-page story of Le Matin d'Abidjan (a daily close to FPI) said: "After the flight of Kone Zacharia, arms cache was found in Seguela; an impressive war arsenal, two ministers of RDR involved." According to the paper, after the flight of Kone Zacharia, the New Forces have discovered arms cache in Seguela and its neigboring villages, where Zacharia was preparing his rebellion. The arms discovered did not belong to the New Forces. The paper said that the New Forces have found out that not only did Kone Zacharia buy several pick-up cars on which were mounted arms called 12-7 but also he emptied the gun powder keg of the New Forces. The paper also said sources say that the former Minister of Commerce, Mr. Amadou Soumahoro who is the actual RDR mayor of Seguela and the actual Minister of New Technologies, Hamed Bakayoko, financially supported the purchase of the arsenal and vehicles. The paper said the sources explained that these two ministers are influent members of RDR.

5. Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close to the opposition): The paper reported that the Prime Minister's spokesperson, Meité Sindou, held a press conference yesterday regarding the disarmament process. According to Meité, the regrouping of ex-combatants reached its peak on December 22, 2007 when the Head of State and the Prime Minister officially launched the operation in Tiebissou. According to the paper, Mr. Meité cautioned that there are still some constraints, which might slow down the process. These constraints are political, financial and technical. Mr. Meité said that once the ranking of ex-combatants and the quota of New Forces soldiers, which should integrate the new army is settled, the Prime Minister will deal with an important problem, the dismantling of militia.