Military

DATE=10/18/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IVORY COAST / ELECTIONS (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-268109

BYLINE=LUIS RAMIREZ

DATELINE=ABIDJAN

CONTENT:

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Ivory Coast's military government is warning opposition supporters not to disrupt presidential elections that are scheduled for Sunday. V-O-A's Luis Ramirez in Ivory Coast's largest city, Abidjan, reports the government declaration follows opposition calls for a general strike and a bomb scare earlier this week.

TEXT: The warning came in a communique issued by the military panel that has governed the West African country since its first military coup last December. The coup put General Robert Guei in power. Now, General Guei is running in the elections.

His government earlier this month barred most opposition candidates from running against him. Among those shut out of the elections is former Prime Minister Alassane Ouattara of the Rally of the Republicans Party, or R-D-R. Mr. Ouattara's support lies mainly among northern Ivory Coast's Dioula-speaking Muslims.

Mr. Ouattara's supporters complain their candidate's exclusion from the elections is a sign that the Baule-speaking Christians of southern Ivory Coast are not willing to share power.

Opponents of the Guei government on Monday called for a two-day general strike. The call was aimed at paralyzing Abidjan, but it went largely ignored. That same day, a number of banks in Abidjan, including the African Development Bank, were evacuated following what officials said were telephoned bomb threats.

In its communique, the military government accuses opponents of resorting to bomb threats after failing to organize a strike. The statement says those responsible for the bomb threats are trying to create an atmosphere of psychosis.

Speaking on government radio, the head of state security, General Soumahila Diabakate (soo-mah-EE'-luh jah-BAH'-kah-teh) issued a firm warning, specifically to Mr. Ouattara's supporters.

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He says, the C-N-S-P, or military government, lets its citizens know that such a shameful strategy will not be allowed. This is a warning to members of the R-D-R and anyone who, with them, thinks of destroying our country. I underscore, he says, that threatening the security of the state is not a minor act. Those responsible know what they are risking.

The R-D-R and other major political parties that are being shut out of the elections have called for a boycott of the polls on Sunday.

The United States has condemned the military government's exclusion of the candidates. Washington has withdrawn aid that was meant to help Ivory Coast finance the elections.

Guei government officials responded angrily to the U-S action. They have called for citizen campaigns to raise money among the population to fund the elections.

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The efforts have included a televised fundraising drive, or telethon. The telethon, presented on state television (Tuesday), showed members of the Ivorian armed forces making a donation of 26-thousand dollars. (Signed)

NEB/LR/KL/JP