DATE=1/5/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=IVORY COAST (L-ONITER)
NUMBER=2-257813
BYLINE=CHALLISS MCDONOUGH
DATELINE=NAIROBI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The military ruler of Ivory Coast says he is
suspending the country's foreign-debt payments. He
spoke in Abidjan Wednesday, following the first
meeting of his transitional government. Two of the
country's main political parties say they are not
taking part in the new cabinet. V-O-A's Challiss
McDonough has details.
TEXT: The head of the military junta, General Robert
Guei, says he has temporarily stopped payment on
foreign debts, to allow him to pay the salaries of
government workers. It is not clear when he plans to
resume foreign-debt payments.
The general says government coffers are totally empty,
and the military rulers have had to -- in his words -
"do gymnastics" to find enough money for wages. He
accused Ivory Coast's ousted leaders of systematically
pillaging the treasury. The general has ordered a
thorough financial audit, to find out who is
responsible for the missing funds.
Payment of salaries is considered a key issue for the
new government. The military came to power in Ivory
Coast last month after disgruntled soldiers went on a
rampage, demanding unpaid wages, among other things.
// OPT // Before it was dissolved by the coup
leaders, Ivory Coast's national assembly had voted for
severe budget cuts to help pay off the country's
massive debt load. International donors had suspended
aid over charges of corruption, worsening an economic
crisis that followed a drop in world prices for the
country's chief export, cocoa. // END OPT //
General Guei's announcement came at his first cabinet
meeting, following news that two of the country's main
political parties are not participating in his
coalition government.
An official (Jean Konan Banny) with the Democratic
Party, which ruled Ivory Coast for nearly 40 years
before the coup, says his party was not given a post
in the transitional cabinet.
// OPT // He says the Democratic Party refused to
name specific candidates for the administration,
instead asking the military leaders to pick
representatives from the party's rank-and-file
membership. // END OPT //
Earlier, a main opposition figure told reporters his
party will boycott the government. Laurent Gbagbo
said he is withdrawing from the coalition because the
cabinet is dominated by supporters of his chief rival,
former Prime Minister Alassane Ouattara.
// OPT // Mr. Gbagbo's Ivorian Popular Front was to
hold more cabinet posts than Mr. Ouattara's party, the
Rally of Republicans. But Mr. Gbagbo says his
followers were not offered any top jobs. He also says
several of the cabinet's military members have close
ties to his rival. // END OPT //
The two opposition leaders are expected to be the main
presidential candidates, if and when the military
restores civilian rule to Ivory Coast. However,
General Guei has not ruled out running for president
himself. The military leaders have promised to write
a new constitution and hold democratic elections. But
they have yet to indicate when a transition back to
civilian government can begin.
General Guei has named himself president and defense
minister in the interim administration. He says four
other top military leaders will hold key posts in the
transitional government, but the rest of the cabinet
jobs will go to civilians.
/// REST OPT ///
The general also heads the nine-member military panel
that has run Ivory Coast since last month's coup. The
National Committee of Public Salvation will continue
to oversee the interim cabinet.
The number-two man in the military regime, General
Lassana Palenfo, will be security minister. Military
officers will also head the interior ministry, the
transport and infrastructure ministry, and the sports
ministry. (Signed)
NEB/CEM/GE/WTW
05-Jan-2000 14:11 PM EDT (05-Jan-2000 1911 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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