President Alassane Ouattara's statement on the state of the country one year after he took the reins of power is the subject of a prominent story in Fraternite Matin. "There has been change" in Cote d'Ivoire, the president is reported as saying.

According to the paper (pp. 2 & 3), President Ouattara was interviewed by French international broadcaster RFI over the weekend. "You're impatient but I will keep my promises," a front-page headline in Le Patriote quotes President Ouattara as assuring Ivorians. On the case of former Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo, who is currently facing trial in The Hague for alleged crimes committed during the recent political crisis in Cote d'Ivoire, the paper (pp. 2 & 3) reports President Ouattara as saying, "Laurent Gbagbo deserves to be where he is."

This daily press review is compiled by the Information Section of the Public Affairs Office of the American Embassy in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. The opinions expressed in these reviews in no way reflect the views of the United States Government and are presented for informational purposes only. The accuracy of reports contained in this summary has not been confirmed by the Embassy.