PRESS STATEMENT ON CÔTE D’IVOIRE BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

Following is the press statement on Côte d’Ivoire delivered today by Security Council President Mamady Traoré (Guinea):

Members of the Security Council are deeply concerned by the incidents that took place at Daloa on 26 March 2003 during the demonstration organized by the “Jeunes Patriotes”.

Members of the Security Council call on the Ivorian authorities to ensure that such incidents do not recur.  They stress that these incidents could potentially inflame passion, hamper the peace process and endanger the lives of innocent people.

Members of the Security Council reaffirm their support for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and French forces in their effort to further the implementation of the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement.

Members of the Security Council condemn the recruitment of mercenaries by any of the parties, and they request that a thorough investigation of the violations of human rights, which took place in Côte d’Ivoire, in particular the massacres, be conducted. 

Members of the Council call on all Ivorian parties to measure up to their responsibilities and to adhere to the commitments they have made under the Linas-Marcoussis and Accra Agreements.

Members of the Council stress that neighbouring States should work to prevent the supply of mercenaries who further destabilize Côte d’Ivoire.

Members of the Council reiterate their support to Prime Minister Diarra, his new Government, the Follow-up Committee and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General.

* *** *