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 National Forum on the Role of the Media during the Electoral Period; the peace process in Cote d'Ivoire; the report of Save the Children to prevent the abuse of children; and the increase of the petroleum price in Cote d'Ivoire are the major items in today's Ivorian newspapers.

1. Fraternité Matin (a state-owned daily): the paper reported that Prime Minister Soro Guillaume and the Representative of the UN Secretary General, Mr. Choi, presided over the opening of the National Forum on the Role of the Media during the Electoral Period. According to the paper, the Prime Minister told journalists that although they are free to write what they want, they also have some obligations. He is quoted as saying: "You have the freedom to inform without censorship or arrest, but you have also the duty to inform the public in an impartial and responsible manner. By doing so, you will contribute to the reinforcement of democratic expression and national cohesion."

2. On the same National Forum, Le Jour Plus (a daily close to the opposition) reported that Representative of the UN Secretary General Choi had stressed that the role of the media is decisive for establishing a stable climate during the electoral period.

The paper also reported on a Save the Children report that indicated ONUCI soldiers have been accused of sexual abuse of children. During the investigation, children revealed that some of them have been raped and others subjected to prostitution in exchange for food and items such as cell phones.

3. Le Temps (a daily close to the ruling FPI party): A prominent story on the front page of the paper said: "Electoral Process/the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) tears up Ouagadougou; Mambé tramples SAGEM (the identification operator) and INS (the National Institute of Statistics) under his foot." According to the paper, the enrollment of voters has been delayed because Mr. Mambé, President of the CEI, refused to use the electoral list of 2000 as a database to start enrollment for the 2008 electoral list as stated in the Ouagadougou Agreement. Also, instead of using birth certificates as indicated in the Agreement, Mr. Mambe wants to add another paper, the certificate of registration for the 2000 electoral list.

The paper also reported that during the visit last week of Mrs. Kyung-Wha Kang, the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, she told Ivorian authorities that no amnesty is conceivable for war crimes and crimes against humanity and other serious violations of human rights.

4. L'Intelligent d'Abidjan (an independent daily) reported that Mr. Robert Mambé, the President of the Independent Electoral Commission, met yesterday with SAGEM (the identification operator) and INS (the National Institute of Statistics). He informed journalists that there were no major difficulties in the path to the elections. He said that obstacles had been removed and the date for the start of the identification operation will be announced once the government adopts an implementation plan.

5. In Le Patriote (a daily close to the Rally of Republicans Party, RDR), the paper reported that during the opening of the National Forum on the Role of the Media during the Electoral Period held May 28, Prime Minister Soro Guillaume spoke in favor of the development of a guide for journalists to use during the electoral period.

Le Patriote also reported that Amnesty International published yesterday its report on human rights to commemorate its sixtieth anniversary. At the end of the ceremony, some invitees deplored the fact that the report did not mention some serious human rights violations which occurred in Cote d'Ivoire.

6. In Nord-Sud Quotidien (a daily close the opposition) the paper reported that the UN has no intention of ignoring war crimes committed in Cote d'Ivoire. According to the paper, the paper, the Deputy High Commissioner for the human rights, Mrs. Kyung-Wha Kang, recommended to Ivorian authorities a review of the Amnesty Ordinance of April 12, 2007 in order to bring it into accordance with international standards.

7. L'Inter (an independent daily), reported that the Representative of the UN Secretary General, Mr. Young-Ji Choi, will make a statement May 30 regarding sexual abuses in Cote d'Ivoire. According to the paper, based on the Save the Children report, it is the second time within 12 months that UN soldiers have been accused of sexual abuses in Cote d'Ivoire. Last year it was the Moroccan contingent and this year it is the Pakistani contingent which is accused of sexual abuses against children.

8. On the economic front, Le Patriote reported that transporters threatened that if the Government increases the price of fuel, the price of transport will be increased as well.

9. On the international scene, L'Inter reported on criticism of President Bush in a book by former White House spokesperson Scott McClellan.