Military

DATE= 02/01/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= IVORY COAST-UNREST (S)

NUMBER=2-299078

BYLINE= LUIS RAMIREZ

DATELINE= ABIDJAN

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Tens of thousands of demonstrators again took to the streets of Ivory Coast's main city, Abidjan, Saturday to protest a French-brokered peace accord. V-O-A's Luis Ramirez reports from Abidjan.

TEXT: Saturday's demonstration drew thousands to Abidjan's central Place de la Republique. The protesters are calling on President Laurent Gbagbo to refuse to implement the terms of a peace accord reached with rebels more than a week ago.

In that week, Ivory Coast has been the scene of violent demonstrations by protesters who say the peace deal reached in France grants too much power to the rebels.

West African mediators were expected to meet with President Gbagbo on Saturday as part of an effort to salvage the accord, which was meant to end a four-month rebel war that has left about half of the country under the control of the insurgents.

On Friday the United States joined France - the former colonial power in Ivory Coast -- in urging the Gbagbo government to implement the agreement. (Signed)

NEB/LR/DW/MAR