Military

DATE=10/29/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IVORY COAST (L)

NUMBER=2-268585

BYLINE=NANCY PALUS

DATELINE=ABIDJAN

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: In Ivory Coast, opposition leader Alassane Ouattara is calling for an international inquiry into the massacre of dozens of his supporters in ethnic clashes during the week. The call comes as the commercial capital, Abidjan, is slowly returning to normal after a week of violent unrest. Nancy Palus reports from Abidjan.

TEXT: Mr. Ouattara's Rally of the Republicans Party describes the killings as a form of ethnic cleansing.

The bodies of more than 50 young men, identified as Ouattara supporters from the Abobo suburb of Abidjan, were discovered Thursday in a wooded area outside the city.

More than 100-people have died in ethnic clashes since Thursday, between Ouattara followers and supporters of new President Laurent Gbagbo. The unrest has subsided, and Abidjan is slowly returning to normal. But tension lingers, as people on both sides fear further violence.

The latest fighting was touched off when supporters of Mr. Ouattara took to the streets demanding new elections after the fall of military leader Robert Guei earlier in the week. Mr. Ouattara had been barred from last Sunday's elections, which were widely regarded as flawed.

During the clashes Thursday, police attacked Rally of the Republicans Party supporters in predominantly Djioula sections of Abobo, a northern suburb Abidjan. Witnesses say security forces were enraged when demonstrators killed a police commando. They say they saw police round up scores of youths, strip them, then drag them to the area police camp where they executed them.

The new interior minister Emile Boga Doudou, says the government will see that those responsible for the killings are punished.

Mr. Gbagbo was sworn in as president on Thursday, despite calls for fresh elections. The veteran socialist politician pledged to form a government of national unity.

Djioulas from the Muslim-dominated north have long complained that leaders from the predominantly Christian south have excluded them from power.

Mr. Ouattara met with President Gbagbo Friday, but after their talks Mr. Ouattara announced that his party would not take part in the new government.

Former military ruler General Robert Guei, who seized power in Ivory Coast's first coup last year, fled after demonstrators paralyzed Abidjan. The demonstrations began when the general announced he won the October 22nd election, even though there were clear indications that Mr. Gbagbo was ahead. (SIGNED)

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