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


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United States Embassy (Abidjan)

6 June 2008
Posted to the web 9 June 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.

Commentaries in today's Ivorian press again focused on the ongoing electoral process in the US. The state-owned daily Fraternite Matin also reported on a conference organized by the American Embassy in Abidjan on United States Africa Command (AFRICOM.) The security issue during the upcoming presidential election in Cote d'Ivoire; President Laurent Gbagbo's interview with France 24 - a French international television network; and the relationship between Cote d'Ivoire and France are the other major news in the press.

1. Fraternite Matin (a state-owned daily): The paper carried an interview of Ambassador Jean-Vincent Zinsou, an Ivorian political analyst and expert in international relation. Zinsou presented a critical analysis of the chances of Illinois Senator Barack Obama to become the next President of the United States. Ambassador Zinsou strongly believed that despite what he called "the wind of Obamania" that is blowing across the world, the Democrat nominee in the November presidential election "has not yet won the party." Zinsou said that the next American election has virtually become a world issue because its outcome is "very important." According to the paper, Zinsou also said that the fact that a black and a woman [Senator Hilary Clinton, who was defeated by Obama in the race for the Democrat nomination] were running for presidency has made the election to become an international issue.

2. In a separate story, Fraternite Matin reported on a digital video conference organized by the American Embassy in Abidjan on AFRICOM. The paper characterized AFRICOM as the US response to Africa's role. The paper said "Aware of the strategic role of Africa in the world affair, the security and stability on the continent have become a priority for the United States." The report further said that "AFRICOM is an essential catalyst to strengthening the relationship between the United States and Africa."

3. "Security during the elections: UNOCI to deploy its 9,000 troops," said a banner headline in Fraternite Matin. According to the paper, the announcement was made by the Commander of the UN peacekeeping troops in Cote d'Ivoire, General Fernand Amoussou, who was speaking at a meeting yesterday with institutions involved in the upcoming elections. General Amoussou reportedly said that "the UN forces will work with national forces to ensure security throughout the country... The security at the frontiers will be manned in collaboration with neighboring countries." The Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI), Robert Beugre Mambe, also used this occasion to announce that "the UN forces will be in charge of the transportation electoral materials, security of all the persons involved in the conduct of the polls, security of the candidates and the population as well as the observers."

4. "With the progress made so far in the implementation of the peace process, the election can be held before November 30," Fraternite Matin quoted President Laurent Gbagbo as saying in an interview with France 24 - a French international television network. According to the paper President Gbagbo, who was speaking on the peace process in Cote d'Ivoire, did not say whether he will take part in the competition. "Today, in any case, the President of the Republic and the government, have done everything that we had to do for the election to be held in November. I would even hope that the election is organized before date... If I can sign a decree to fix the date of the election to be held earlier, I would voluntarily do it," the paper quoted President Gbagbo as saying.

5. "Gbagbo set the record straight," said a prominent headline in Notre Voie (a daily close to the ruling party), which devoted its front page to President Laurent Gbagbo's interview. Meanwhile, Le Nouveau Reveil (a daily close to the former ruling PDCI-RDA party) said that President Gbagbo's statement on the French TV was "revolting." The paper also informed readers that the interview will be re-broadcast today at 19:15 GMT on the French TV.

Relevant Links

West Africa
Côte d'Ivoire
Press and Media

6. On the relationship between Cote d'Ivoire and France, Fraternite Matin announced that the French Foreign Affairs Minister, Bernard Kouchner, is expected in Abidjan on June 14. This visit, commented the paper, would open "a new chapter" in Cote d'Ivoire-France relationship. The paper went on to speculate that Kouchner might be coming to Cote d'Ivoire "to salute the progress made by the Ivorian political stakeholders in the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement."


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