IVORY COAST: PRIME MINISTER SEYDOU DIARRA SAYS COUNTRY WILL BEGIN TO DISARM FIGHTERS ON MARCH 8
Record ID:
183660
IVORY COAST: PRIME MINISTER SEYDOU DIARRA SAYS COUNTRY WILL BEGIN TO DISARM FIGHTERS ON MARCH 8
- Title: IVORY COAST: PRIME MINISTER SEYDOU DIARRA SAYS COUNTRY WILL BEGIN TO DISARM FIGHTERS ON MARCH 8
- Date: 20th February 2004
- Summary: (U7) BOUAKE, IVORY COAST (FEBRUARY 20, 2004) (REUTERS) 1. IVORY COAST FLAG IN FOREGROUND, IN BACKGROUND REBEL FORCES PERFORMING GUN SALUTE 0.03 2. ARRIVAL OF IVORY COAST PRIME MINISTER SEYDOU DIARRA - ON HIS RIGHT, COLONEL SOUMAILA BAKAYOKO, CHIEF OF STAFF OF REBEL FORCES 0.09 3. DOZO MAN (TRADITIONNAL HUNTER FROM THE AREA) DOING GUN SALUTE 0.13 4. PRIME MINISTER SALUTING REBEL FORCES' SOLDIERS 0.17 5. VARIOUS OF FIGHTERS HANDING OVER ARMS AS A SIMULATION OF DISARMAMENT PROGRAM SET TO TAKE PLACE FROM MARCH 8 (3 SHOTS) 0.37 6. (SOUNDBITE)(French) IVORY COAST PRIME MINISTER SEYDOU DIARRA SAYING: "The operation DDR (disarmament, dembolisation and reintegration) will be launched on March 8, and all measures have been taken regarding its finances, and as far as a financement plan in relation with the Minister of economy and finances. We can say without fear that the operation can start without delay." 1.05 7. VARIOUS OF PRIME MINSTER VISITING BARRACKS ESTABLISHED TO WELCOME REBEL FORCES TAKING PART IN DISARMAMENT PROGRAM (3 SHOTS) 1.18 8. WIDE OF SITE 1.23 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 6th March 2004 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: BOUAKE, IVORY COAST
- Country: Ivory Coast
- Reuters ID: LVA66U6UO65UR1QNWATH3DK8WSKM
- Story Text: Ivory Coast's prime minister says the country will
begin to disarm fighters on March 8.
Ivory Coast's prime minister said on Friday
(February 20) the country would begin to disarm fighters on
March 8 and draw a line under the civil war that split the
world's top cocoa producer in two.
Seydou Diarra, the premier of a power-sharing
government set up as part of a deal to end a conflict that
has cost thousands of lives, also pledged authorities would
devote enough money to make sure the scheme was completed
successfully.
Diarra met rebel forces as he toured one of the sites
that has been prepared for disarmament in the central town
of Bouake, a rebel stronghold and once a flashpoint of the
conflict.
Diarra was greeted by an eclectic mix of rebel soldiers
-- some in traditional hunting gear and sporting
leather-tasselled hats, others in smart army fatigues.
"The DDR (disarmament, dembolisation and reintegration)
operation will be launched on March 8," he told rebels and
dignitaries.
Rebels handed over weapons on Friday in a simulation of
the disarmament set to take place after March 8.
The West African state descended into civil war in
September 2002 following a failed attempt to topple
President Laurent Gbagbo by soldiers who claimed the north
of the country -- far from the main city Abidjan -- was
being discriminated against.
Gbagbo supporters also accused immigrants from
neighbouring states such as Burkina Faso and Mali of
backing the rebellion. A visiting United Nations human
rights official warned on Friday there was a "dynamic of
xenophobia" in the country.
Doudou Diene, the United Nations Human Rights
Commission special rapporteur on racism and xenophobia,
urged local leaders to recognise publicly the scale of the
problem and work to create a truly democratic and
multi-ethnic society.
Although a fragile peace now holds, Ivory Coast remains
split between a rebel-held north and a south controlled by
forces loyal to Gbagbo. But Diarra said he believed the
country was firmly on the road to peace.
Diarra also said Ivory Coast was ready for unification.
Ivory Coast set up a commission last year to oversee
disarmament but no start date had been announced.
Politicians had said they needed more time to prepare
disarmament and demobilisation centres although some
observers said the delay was due to a lack of political
will.
Some rebels said they worried they were being rushed
into the process ahead of elections planned for next year.
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