Military

DATE=1/26/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IVORY COAST/UNREST (L)

NUMBER=2-298818

BYLINE=LUIS RAMIREZ

DATELINE=ABIDJAN

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Violent demonstrations continue in Ivory Coast, where thousands took to the streets for a second-day to protest a French-mediated peace agreement to end a four-month-old rebellion. V-O-A's Luis Ramirez reports from Abidjan.

TEXT: Much of Ivory Coast's commercial capital remained paralyzed as demonstrators set bonfires to block streets in districts across the city.

/// NATURAL SOUND OF DEMONSTRATIONS, UNDER ///

Protesters marched from outlying areas into the central Plateau business district, where a large group tried to storm the French embassy. Fires were set outside the embassy gates.

The demonstrators say they are angry because they believe France which mediated the peace negotiations forced the government of President Laurent Gbagbo to make too many concessions to the rebels.

Protests began late Saturday after President Gbagbo made an announcement from the scene of the negotiations in France, saying he had agreed to a power-sharing arrangement with the opposition and the rebels, and had named a new prime minister.

Sporadic gunfire could be heard in several districts of Abidjan as youths rampaged through streets, smashing car windows and stopping vehicles to see if there were French nationals inside.

/// OPT /// The gunfire was mostly from police who fired into the air to disperse groups of demonstrators. /// END OPT ///

French and other western diplomats called for their nationals to stay home, and few foreigners ventured onto the streets.

Speaking on Ivorian state television from France, President Gbagbo appealed for calm and called for the demonstrators to return to their homes.

/// GBAGBO ACT IN FRENCH, FADES ///

The Ivorian leader said his objective in France was to return peace and economic prosperity to Ivory Coast. He said he hopes that Ivorians understand that is what he was working for when he agreed to the terms of the peace accord.

Mr. Gbagbo said he planned to return to Ivory and address the nation after the agreement is ratified at a summit of West African leaders that under way in France.

/// REST OPT ///

The war in Ivory Coast began last September with a failed coup attempt against Mr. Gbagbo. Hundreds have been killed and thousands displaced as a result of the fighting in what was until recently considered the most stable and prosperous nation in West Africa. (SIGNED)

NEB/LR/ALW/RAE