secretary-general deeply concerned at military actions

 

violating ceasefire in Côte d’Ivoire

 

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

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned at the military actions taken today in Côte d’Ivoire where several air attacks have been carried out by the armed forces of Côte d’Ivoire (FANCI) against Forces nouvelles positions in Bouaké and Korhogo.  Some several dozen civilians may have been killed and wounded during these attacks.  A major violation of the ceasefire has thus taken place.

The Secretary-General urges President Gbagbo and all the Ivorian parties to immediately cease all hostilities and to take all possible actions to prevent further bloodshed.   He strongly calls for the immediate resumption of dialogue in order to resume with the implementation of the Linas-Marcoussis and Accra III agreements which remain the only viable road map for resolution of the crisis in the country.  He reminds all parties of their responsibilities to ensure the protection and safety of the civilian population, and of UN and other international personnel.

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