PRESS STATEMENT ATTRIBUTED TO THE SPOKESMAN OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ON COTE D’IVOIRE

                                                      AFR/308

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN PRESIDENT

OF CÔTE D’IVOIRE AND OPPOSITION LEADER

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General welcomes the discussions held in Lomé on 18 and

19 March between President Laurent Gbagbo of Côte d’Ivoire and Alassane Ouattara, leader of the opposition party, the Rally of the Republicans (RDR).  He expresses his appreciation to President Gnassingbe Eyadema of Togo, the current Chairman of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), for hosting and facilitating these meetings.

The Secretary-General is encouraged by the public commitment of President Gbagbo and Mr. Ouattara to reduce internal political tensions and work towards national unity and reconciliation.  The United Nations remains committed to assist, in any way it can, to help promote lasting peace and progress in Côte d’Ivoire.

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