DATE=12/25/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=IVORY COAST COUP (L-2ND UPDATE)
NUMBER=2-257498
BYLINE=CHALLISS MCDONOUGH
DATELINE=NAIROBI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The former army chief who ousted the president
of Ivory Coast is consolidating his hold on power.
The country's top military and police leaders have
publicly come out in support of the new ruling
military junta led by General Robert Guei. VOA's
Challiss McDonough reports.
TEXT: General Guei appeared on national television
late Saturday night, surrounded by Ivory Coast's top
security officers, who pledged their allegiance to the
country's new military rulers.
They included the national police chief and the
commanders of every branch of the military, as well as
the chief of the country's paramilitary gendarme
units, which had been seen as most loyal to ousted
President Henri Konan Bedie.
Earlier, General Guei announced he will head a nine-
member military council that will rule Ivory Coast for
an interim period before a new government can be
installed. He told reporters in Abidjan the so-called
"national committee of public salvation" will set the
stage for democratic rule and fair elections.
He said eight senior military leaders will serve with
him on the council. But he did not say how long they
plan to stay in power before calling elections.
World leaders - including those of several key African
nations - have condemned the coup and urged a quick
return to democracy.
The general says the ruling council will ask the
country's top political opposition leaders to join in
talks aimed at creating a government of national
unity.
// opt // Former prime minister Allassane Ouattara -
leader of the Rally of Republicans party - was thought
to be the most credible challenger to Mr. Bedie in
next year's presidential elections. But a political
crisis had erupted in recent months as the president
claimed his rival was not eligible to run for the
office.
// opt // Mr. Ouattara has been living in exile in
France. Police issued a warrant for his arrest last
month, and detained 11 of his party activists. The
rebel troops have since freed the jailed party
members. // end opt //
General Guei also called for an end to the rampant
looting that has taken place in Abidjan since the
military uprising began Thursday. He said a number of
looters have already been arrested, and a dusk-to-dawn
curfew will be strictly enforced.
He said people will be able to return to business as
usual Monday, and he told members of the ousted
president's cabinet to report to work.
The former army chief also said President Bedie has
been taken to a French military base near the main
airport in Abidjan. He urged the French government to
remove Mr. Bedie from Ivory Coast as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, France says it is increasing its military
presence in the region in case French nationals need
to be evacuated from its former colony. French
authorities say they have sent 300 reinforcements to
nearby Senegal to prepare for possible intervention,
while 40 more troops stationed in Gabon have gone
directly to Ivory Coast.
// rest opt //
The revolt began Thursday when renegade soldiers began
rampaging through the streets of Abidjan, demanding
unpaid wages.
The rebel troops fired their weapons into the air,
looted stores and seized civilian automobiles. They
took over major government facilities, including the
state radio and television stations.
The mood in the city is reported to be tense, and
there are continued reports of looting and occasional
bursts of gunfire. Several people have been wounded,
mostly by stray bullets fired into the air.
(signed)
NEB/PT
25-Dec-1999 18:14 PM EDT (25-Dec-1999 2314 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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