SECRETARY-GENERAL DEPLORES IVORIAN POLITICIAN’S INFLAMMATORY REMARKS

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

The Secretary-General deplores the inflammatory remarks made on 2 October by the President of the Front Populaire Ivoirien, Affi Nguessan, which contained threats against citizens of other members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) living in Côte d’Ivoire.  The Secretary-General calls on all Ivorian political leaders and their followers to exercise the utmost restraint at this critical juncture, and stresses that those instigating or committing violent acts will be held personally responsible by the international community.  He also emphasizes the responsibility of the Ivorian Defence and Security Forces to protect the civilian population, including ECOWAS citizens, as well as other foreigners residing in Côte d’Ivoire.  The Secretary-General urges the Ivorian leaders to pursue dialogue and work with ECOWAS, the African Union and the United Nations to break the current impasse and agree on new transitional arrangements that should lead to elections.

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For information media • not an official record