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DATE=10/12/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-267833

TITLE=IVORY COAST / POL (L-ONLY)

BYLINE=LUIS RAMIREZ

DATELINE=ABIDJAN

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Ivory Coast's main political party is calling for a boycott of the October 22nd presidential elections that are supposed to return the West African country to civilian rule. From (Ivory Coast's main city) Abidjan, V-O-A's Luis Ramirez has the latest details.

TEXT: The Democratic Party of Ivory Coast, known as P-D-C-I, controlled national politics from the time of Ivory Coast's independence in 1960 until a military coup last December that put General Robert Guei in power. In a decision announced last week, the Guei government shut the party -- and other major opponents -- out of the elections to be held later this month.

Despite protests from the United States and other members of the international community, General Guei is running for president and has launched his campaign.

Last week, Mr. Guei's government disqualified all of his major opponents, including opposition leader Alassane Ouattara and the P-D-C-I's Emil Constant Bombet.

Leaders of the P-D-C-I, still Ivory Coast's largest political party, met in Abidjan Thursday and called for a boycott of the elections. The P-D-C-I's would-be candidate, Mr. Bombet, told party members they should not support Mr. Guei, who removed their party from office by force.

/// BOMBET ACT IN FRENCH--ESTABLISH & FADE ///

"I have based my campaign on reconciliation, pardoning and on respect of others," Mr. Bombet says. "And it is with that dignity that we should proceed. This is an occasion to exercise it. I am not one of those who will be brought to compromise."

But some members of the party called for reconciliation, and said they would support Mr. Guei.

Reflecting the deep divisions within the party, some members rushed to the podium, knocking over microphones and shouting angrily at each other.

/// SFX: RUCKUS AT PARTY MEETING--ESTABLISH & FADE ///

The meeting was called back to order before P-D-C-I leaders formally issued their final declaration calling for a boycott.

A number of the P-D-C-I's members in the Ivorian parliament have said (Wednesday) they will support Mr. Guei in the elections.

In its decision announced last week, the Ivorian supreme court allowed only four candidates to run against Mr. Guei on October 22nd. Only one well-known political figure, socialist Laurent Gbagbo, is among Mr. Guei's challengers. (Signed)

NEB/LR/GE/WTW