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DATE=10/04/2000

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=Ivory Coast Explosion (L-only)

NUMBER=2-267477

BYLINE=Luis Ramirez

DATELINE=Abidjan

INTERNET=YES

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: A bomb was exploded in Ivory Coast's main city, Abidjan, killing at least four people. The explosion happened as the country's military government declares a state of emergency starting on Friday. V-O-A's Luis Ramirez in Abidjan reports tension is high in the West African country ahead of elections that are to return Ivory Coast to civilian rule.

TEXT: Tensions have been filled with speculation that the government of military ruler General Robert Guei will likely band opposition leader former Prime Minister Alassane Ouattara from running in the October 22nd elections.

Supporters of Mr. Ouattara and his party, the Rally of the Republicans, have vowed to retaliate if he is not allowed to run.

Government officials appeared on state television late Wednesday to announce that a state of emergency and a curfew will be imposed in the country starting on Friday and continuing through Monday.

The announcement comes as the Ivorian Supreme Court prepares to issue by Saturday a list of candidates who will be allowed to run in the elections. Mr. Guei who took power last December in the country's first military coup intends to run despite protest by the United States and other members of the international community.

The military ruler has been working to disqualify Mr. Ouattara. The government charges he is not eligible to run for president and in the terms of the new constitution that requires candidates to be a full Ivorian native. Government lawyers allege one of Mr. Ouattara's parents is from Burkina Faso.

On Tuesday the military government announced that arrested several bodyguards of Mr. Ouattara's wife. Officials accused the man of plotting to cause unrest of the days leading up to the elections.

The Guei government warned Mr. Ouattara's party that security forces will crack down swiftly on anyone who tries to disturb the peace in the coming days.

It is not clear who may have been behind the explosion Wednesday at a bus station in the suburb of Abidjan. (Signed)

NEB/LR/TVM-T/PT