Secretary-General welcomes meeting between main Ivorian leaders

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

The Secretary-General welcomes the meeting between the main Ivorian leaders which was convened by Prime Minister Charles Konan Banny in Yamoussoukro, in Côte d’Ivoire, on 28 February.  It constitutes a significant step towards sustained dialogue and building trust among these leaders, which is indispensable to the return of peace and reconciliation in Côte d’Ivoire.  The meeting enabled the parties to address a number of key issues with a view to moving the peace process forward.

The Secretary-General encourages the Ivorian leaders to continue this constructive dialogue.  He assures the Ivorian parties of the United Nations’ support for the implementation of the recommendations of the Yamoussoukro meeting.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record