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DATE=10/06/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IVORY COAST / POL (L ONLY)

BYLINE=LUIS RAMIREZ

DATELINE=ABIDJAN

CONTENT:

INTRO: Ivory Coast is under a state of emergency as the country's supreme court prepares to issue a list of candidates eligible to run in presidential elections later this month. V-O-A's Luis Ramirez in Ivory Coast's commercial capital, Abidjan, reports tension in the city is high.

TEXT: Police and soldiers are patrolling those parts of Abidjan (Abobo, Adjame, and Youpougon) where support for opposition leader and former Prime Minister Alassane Ouattara is strong.

The government of military ruler General Robert Guei (on Wednesday) called the state of emergency and curfew after supporters of Mr. Ouattara vowed to retaliate if the supreme court decides he can not run for president.

General Guei, himself a candidate, has been working to disqualify the former prime minister from running on the grounds that he allegedly does not meet the strict nationality requirements set forth by a new constitution.

/// OPT ///

The constitution, approved overwhelmingly in a July referendum, says both of a candidate's parents must be Ivorian born. It also says a candidate must never have declared him or herself a national of any other country.

Government lawyers claim one of Mr. Ouattara's parents was born in Burkina Faso. They also allege that Mr. Ouattara in previous years listed his nationality as that of Voltaic, or Burkinabe, on official documents.

/// END OPT ///

General Guei addressed the country (late Thursday), saying that when the supreme court issues the list of eligible candidates, Ivorians should accept it peacefully. The military ruler spoke specifically to immigrants, who make up about a third of Ivory Coast's population.

/// GUEI ACT IN FRENCH, ESTABLISH & FADE ///

Mr. Guei said, here in our country, foreigners are a gift of God. But, he said, you must remember that we cannot allow them to be head of state. Those of you who have legitimately contributed to the building of our country will have, in return, the benefit of our hospitality.

The Ivorian supreme court is due to release the list by Saturday. The state of emergency and curfew will continue through Monday.

Elections scheduled for October 22nd are part of a plan to return the country to civilian rule following the December 24th coup that put General Guei in power. (Signed)

NEB/LR/KL/KBK