Military

DATE=11/12/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IVORY COAST / RALLY (L-O)

NUMBER=2-269141

BYLINE=NANCY PALUS

DATELINE=ABIDJAN

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Thousands of supporters of Ivory Coast's opposition Rally of the Republicans party filled the streets in Abidjan, in a ceremony to honor party followers who died in recent ethnic violence. As Nancy Palus reports from Abidjan, despite calls by the new government for reconciliation, for many supporters of party leader Alassane Ouattara, national unity is a long way off.

/// NATURAL SOUND - ESTABLISH AND FADE ///

TEXT: More than one-thousand mourners assembled at a city funeral home and proceeded by car and on foot to a nearby cemetery, accompanying vans carrying the bodies of the dead.

Thousands had already gathered at the cemetery to await the procession, after the Rally of the Republicans called for its militants not to march throughout the city, but to assemble at the burial ground.

More than 100-supporters of the opposition Rally of the Republicans party died in ethnic clashes late last month. The violence was sparked when party followers took to the streets after veteran socialist leader Laurent Gbagbo declared himself president.

Rally of the Republicans candidate, former Prime Minister Alassane Ouattara, was excluded from the October 22nd presidential election.

The clashes took on an ethnic and religious tone, pitting supporters of Christian Gbagbo against followers of Mr. Ouattara, a Muslim from northern Ivory Coast.

Mr. Gbagbo a longtime rival of Mr. Ouattara - claimed the presidency after a popular uprising forced out military leader Robert Guei, who tried to cling to power, despite indications that Mr. Gbagbo had won the election.

The Gbagbo government has called for national reconciliation in Ivory Coast. But as many Rally of the Republicans supporters taking part in the ceremony say, Djioulas from the north, the party's main support base, remain frustrated.

Fofana Youssouf is a 23-year-old who came to pay his respects to fellow the dead party members.

/// FOFANA ACT ESTABLISH AND FADE ///

We came to pay homage to our militants who died, Mr. Fofana says. In Ivory Coast today, he says, there is a group that is marginalized. We must show the people who we are. We are the majority, he says, adding, the new government wants to pretend otherwise, but we won't have it anymore. He says, we want Alassane or nothing.

Many in the international community have called for new presidential elections, saying the October 22nd poll was severely flawed. Turnout for the election was low, with many Ivorians heeding calls by excluded candidates for a boycott.

Mr. Konate, 28, is a teacher. He says reconciliation is impossible as long as Mr. Ouattara and northerners in general are discriminated against.

/// KONATE ACT ESTABLISH AND FADE ///

He says - I came to show my indignation at what has happened. What has happening today in Ivory Coast - he says - is genocide. He says the only way there will be peace here is if Mr. Ouattara is allowed to be a presidential candidate. He adds, the authorities must recognize that he is eligible and that the people of the north are Ivorians. He says the truth is people do not want a Muslim to lead Ivory Coast.

After meeting with President Gbagbo last month, Mr. Ouattara announced that the Rally of the Republicans would not take part in a Gbagbo administration. The party is awaiting upcoming legislative elections to define its position. Legislative elections are scheduled for December 10th. (SIGNED)

NEB/NEP/ALW/RAE