Military

DATE=10/27/00

TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT

NUMBER=5-47262

TITLE=IVORY COAST POL

BYLINE=NANCY PALUS

DATELINE=ABIDJAN

CONTENT:

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The people of Ivory Coast have toppled a military dictator and gained a civilian president. But the country's political crisis is far from resolved. As Nancy Palus reports from Abidjan, newly sworn-in President Laurent Gbagbo is seeing the harsh reality of what he has taken on.

TEXT: For the past several months, Ivorians have been yearning for the return of civilian rule and a chance to return to normal life. They got the first part of what they wanted at the start of this week, when massive demonstrations forced the military ruler, Robert Guei, to leave the country, but it seems that it may be a long time before life returns to normal in Ivory Coast.

President Laurent Gbagbo has to deal with a volatile army, frustrated militants from rival political parties, ethnic and religious unrest, and a collapsed economy.

At the top of Mr. Gbagbo's agenda will be tackling the rising ethnic unrest in the country, which stems largely from militants loyal to former Ivorian Prime Minister Alassane Ouattara, whose support base is the Muslim north. Central and southern Ivory Coast are predominantly Christian and animist. Until recently, Ivory Coast had largely been spared the severe ethnic and religious unrest plaguing other nations in the region. But that has changed dramatically.

Even as demonstrators celebrated General Guei's departure, Ouattara supporters took to the streets wielding machetes and nail-studded clubs. They are not ready to embrace a Gbagbo presidency. They are pushing for new elections, having boycotted last Sunday's polls from which their leader was barred.

Guy-Alain, machete in hand, was among R-D-R (Rally of the Republicans) supporters outside Ouattara's home Thursday, hours after police stormed the residence.

/// GUY-ALAIN ACT - FADE UNDER ///

He says, "We want new elections, period. We are no longer ready to respect peace." He says, "They started to come after us and kill us; we are ready to respond."

Some level of reconciliation between Mr. Ouattara and Mr. Gbagbo is indispensable if Ivory Coast is to begin to rebuild. The two met Friday, and Mr. Ouattara later told reporters he would not interfere with President Gbagbo's efforts to form a new government. He noted that legislative elections are due to be held in December, and he said he would reconsider the matter after the elections.

In addition to the ethnic unrest, Ivory Coast is suffering in other ways. General Guei may be gone, but the military remains a powerful and sometimes undisciplined force in the country. In addition, there are few opportunities for young people, even in Abidjan, the country's commercial center.

Abdul Akeem, 20 years old, is frustrated about his future.

/// AKEEM ACT - IN FRENCH - FADE UNDER ///

He says, "It's only if you know someone high up that you can get a job. I don't even know why they educate or train us anymore." He adds, "None of it makes sense anymore. And we don't know whether the army is there to protect us or to beat us down. Today, maybe they defend us, but tomorrow, we don't know what they could do."

The toppling of General Guei may have been the end of a nightmare that began with Ivory Coast's first coup d'etat ten months ago. But the country has a long way to go to achieving the stability and economic health it craves. (Signed)

NEB/NEP/KL/JWH