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UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

BURKINA FASO: Top security officials discuss reopening border

OUAGADOUOGOU, 28 May 2003 (IRIN) - Security officials from Burkina Faso and Cote d'Ivoire have began a two-day meeting in the Burkinabe capital, Ouagadougou, to set out modalities for reopening their common border, which has been closed for eight months as a result of crisis in Cote d'Ivoire.

"It is up to us to concretise the political will expressed in the final communique of a 20 May meeting between officials from our governments, as quickly as possible," the Burkinabe joint chief of staff Colonel Ali Traore said at the opening of the meeting.

A 20-man delegation from Cote d'Ivoire led by Colonel Mian Gaston is attending the 28-29 May meeting. "As security and defense men we must define modalities for securing and reopening the border without delay," he said.

The Ivorian crisis, which broke out on September 19 last year, left rebel forces in control of northern Cote d'Ivoire, blocking the road and railway to the port of Abidjan, which handled most of landlocked Burkina Faso's external trade.

A diplomat in Ouagadougou, speaking on condition of anonymity, however said the plight of Burkina Faso nationals in Cote d'Ivoire was still an obstacle to full resumption of relations. "We are still highly concerned about the plight of thousands of them in the west," he said. "There were recent accusations by media close to the Ivorian government that Burkina nationals back the rebels."

Ivorian authorities accused Burkina Faso of supporting the rebellion, a claim denied by the government in Ouagadougou. Burkinabe living in Cote D'Ivoire were harassed, forcing thousands to return home.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), among others, have since been trying to reconcile the two countries, leading to a thaw in relations. Delegations from both countries have visited each country.

On 20 May, officials meeting in Ouagadougou announced that their top security officials would meet to "define modalities for reopening the border as soon as possible" and support "the political will of the [Burkina and Ivorian] governments to resume economic and commercial activities".

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