Secretary-General calls on all Ivorians to facilitate functioning

of UN Operation in Côte d’Ivoire

 

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

The Secretary-General is concerned by recent reports concerning the obstruction of the movement and operations of the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI).  In this regard, he welcomes President Laurent Gbagbo’s statement of 9 August calling on all Ivorians to refrain from impeding UNOCI’s movements.

However, the Secretary-General regrets that UNOCI still does not enjoy the full freedom of movement required to effectively carry out its mandate, in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions.  The Secretary-General expects all Ivorians to facilitate the operations of UNOCI and to refrain from any action that may undermine the peace process in Côte d’Ivoire.

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For information media • not an official record