Secretary-General urges constitutional reform, disarmament in Côte d’Ivoire

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

The Secretary-General notes with concern that key deadlines of the Accra III Agreement, for the adoption of legislative reforms, the revision of Article 35 of the Constitution on eligibility to the Presidency and the commencement of the disarmament process, have not been met.  He has taken note of President Laurent Gbagbo’s address to the nation on 12 October 2004, and shares his views that the political crisis should be resolved without further delay.  To this end, the Secretary-General urges the political forces in Côte d’Ivoire to ensure the full and unconditional implementation of the Linas-Marcoussis and Accra III Agreements, including constitutional reform and disarmament.

The Secretary-General recalls that the Accra III Agreement envisaged the timely adoption of all legal reforms, including the revision of Article 35 of the Constitution on eligibility to the Presidency.  In this context, he urges adoption of all legislative reforms without delay, and also appeals to all armed elements, including militias, to commence disarmament at the earliest.

The Secretary-General welcomes the President’s condemnation of all acts of violence against the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) and the French forces, which should be unconditionally enforced by all authorities concerned.

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