Military

DATE=10/30/2000

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-268634

TITLE=U-S/IVORY COAST (L-ONLY)

BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE

DATELINE= STATE DEPARTMENT

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The United States says it will work with the new government in Ivory Coast, but it is joining with opponents of President Laurent Gbagbo in calling for new elections. Correspondent Nick Simeone reports Washington does not consider the new leader of the West African country to be democratically elected.

TEXT: Long-time opposition leader Laurent Gbagbo already finds himself facing calls for new elections from opponents who consider his quick rise to power the outcome of an unfair vote organized by the military.

Laurent Gbagbo was the only major opposition candidate allowed to stand against deposed military leader Robert Guei in the October 22nd vote. It was General Guei's subsequent flight from power in the wake of a mass uprising that allowed Mr. Gbagbo to step in.

On Monday, the United States - a longtime Ivory Coast ally - went some distance toward undermining President Gbagbo's claim to legitimacy. State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher called the presidential election a failure since nearly every opposition leader with any sizable following was prevented from running.

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We are intending to work with the governing authorities in Cote D'Ivoire just as we have done with predecessors. We do want to see the restoration of democracy in Cote D'Ivoire as soon as possible.

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That means parliamentary elections scheduled for December should go ahead.

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If those are free and fair, we think that will be an important step toward creating the necessary conditions for free, fair and inclusive presidential elections in which the voices of all Ivorians can be heard.

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Among those who were prevented from running is former Prime Minister Alassane Ouattara who had considerable support - including within the military which showed no hesitation last year in staging the first coup in Ivory Coast's history. But he was barred from running, and Ouattara's supporters took to the streets to demand new elections, sparking new clashes. More than 100 people were killed in violence never before seen in a country which for decades was considered one of the most stable in French-speaking Africa. (SIGNED)

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