IN PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT, SECURITY COUNCIL WELCOMES PROGRESS IN CÔTE D’IVOIRE, BUT REITERATES ‘GRAVE CONCERN’ AT SITUATION IN WEST OF COUNTRY

Security Council

5400^th Meeting (PM)

IN PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT, SECURITY COUNCIL WELCOMES PROGRESS IN C ÔTE D’IVOIRE ,

BUT REITERATES ‘GRAVE CONCERN’ AT SITUATION IN WEST OF COUNTRY

Also Strongly Condemns Persistence of Human Rights Violations, Requests

Ivorian Authorities to Preserve Independence of Radio Télévision Ivoirienne

The Security Council welcomed this afternoon the recent progress achieved in Côte d’Ivoire, particularly the meeting of the entire Cabinet, the establishment of the Independent Electoral Commission, the organization of exams in the north of the country, and the preparation of population identification and disarmament operations.

In a statement read out by Council President César Mayoral ( Argentina), the Council underlined the urgency of progress in the identification process and the beginning of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme.  It urged Ivorian leaders to fulfil all their commitments made in Yamoussoukro on 28 February, and to rapidly implement the road map towards free, fair and transparent elections by 31 October.

Nevertheless, the Council reiterated its grave concern at the situation in the west of the country and urged the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) to continue its redeployment in that region.  It called also for that region’s return to civilian authority.

The Council strongly condemned the persistence of human rights violations, the attacks against members of the Government, the obstacles to the free movement of impartial forces, and the incitements to hatred and violence in the media.  In that regard, it requested the Ivorian authorities to guarantee, in close liaison with UNOCI, the independence of Radio Télévision Ivoirienne.

Endorsing the final communiqué of the International Working Group on 17 March, the Council commended Prime Minister Charles Konan Banny for his initiatives, taken in cooperation with President Laurent Gbagbo, which had given a new momentum to the peace process, and reiterated its full support for the Prime Minister.

The meeting began at 12:45 p.m. and adjourned at 12:50 p.m.

Presidential Statement

The full text of the presidential statement (document S/PRST/2006/14) reads, as follows:

“The Security Council expresses its full support for the International Working Group and endorses its fifth final communiqué of 17 March 2006.  It commends Prime Minister Charles Konan Banny for his initiatives, taken in cooperation with President Laurent Gbagbo, which gave a new momentum to the peace process, and reiterates its full support for him.  It also welcomes the efforts of Mr. Antonio Monteiro, and encourages the Secretary General to appoint a new High Representative for the elections as soon as possible.

“The Security Council welcomes the progress achieved in recent weeks, in particular the meeting of the entire Cabinet, the establishment of the Independent Electoral Commission, the organization of scholar exams in the north, and the preparation of operations of identification of the populations and of disarmament.

“The Security Council urges Ivorian leaders to fulfil all their commitments, in particular those made in Yamoussoukro on 28 February 2006, and to rapidly implement the road map, in good faith and in a spirit of trust, in order to organize free, fair, open and transparent elections by 31 October 2006.  It underlines the urgency of progress in the identification process, the establishment of the electoral registers and the beginning of the DDR programme.

“The Security Council calls on donor countries to provide the Prime minister all the necessary support for the full and immediate implementation of the road map.

“The Security Council, nevertheless, reiterates its grave concern at the situation in the west.  It urges the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) to continue its redeployment in this region.  It calls also for the return of this region to civilian authority.

“The Security Council strongly condemns also the persistence of violations of human rights, the attacks against members of the Government, the obstacles to the freedom of movement of impartial forces, and the incitements to hatred and violence in the media.  In this regard, it requests the Ivorian authorities to guarantee, in close liaison with UNOCI, that all steps be taken to preserve the independence of Radio Télévision Ivoirienne.”

* *** *

For information media • not an official record