DATE=1/12/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=IVORY COAST / POLITICS (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-258008
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=ABIDJAN
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The new military leader in Ivory Coast is
trying to forge a transition government more than two-
weeks after seizing power. His second cabinet meeting
included the main opposition party. Correspondent
Laurie Kassman reports from Abidjan that four members
of the Popular Front Party attended the meeting to
take up their ministerial positions.
TEXT: The key opposition party boycotted the first
cabinet meeting last week. After intense negotiations
with General Robert Guei, the Popular Front attended
this week's meeting. One member who was appointed
Minister for Higher Education says his party is ready
to participate fully in the transitional government.
But he would not explain why two other party members
boycotted the meeting. Later, the Information
Minister confirmed the 21-member cabinet is complete.
But there are indications negotiations may continue
for a possible expansion of the team that could
include more members of the Popular Front party.
The Popular Front earlier had boycotted the transition
government, complaining General Guei was favoring the
rival Rally of the Republicans Party of former Prime
Minister Alassan Ouattara. The transition team also
includes military officers loyal to General Guei and
representatives from Ivory Coast's civil society.
// REST OPT ///
The December 24th coup that brought General Guei to
power was sparked by a mutiny of young soldiers
complaining they had never been paid for their
peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic.
They are not the only ones protesting wages. This
week, Abidjan's female force of street cleaners
started dumping garbage in the street to protest their
unpaid salaries. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/GE/RAE
12-Jan-2000 14:19 PM EDT (12-Jan-2000 1919 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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