Military

DATE=10/22/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IVORY COAST / JOURNALIST (L-O)

NUMBER=2-308927

BYLINE=NICO COLOMBANT

DATELINE=ABIDJAN

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: A policeman in Ivory Coast is being questioned on suspicion of killing a French journalist who was investigating the arrest of opposition militants. V-O-A's Nico Colombant reports from Abidjan.

TEXT: Eyewitnesses in the commercial capital, Abidjan, say the policeman shot and killed Radio France International reporter Jean Helene near police headquarters late Tuesday.

Mr. Helene had been waiting to interview a dozen opposition militants who were about to be released from police custody.

A spokesman for the French embassy says the policeman approached the journalist, and the two argued before the shooting took place. The policeman was then disarmed by other officers and taken in for questioning.

Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo visited the crime scene and called for an investigation. French President Jacques Chirac, who is visiting Africa called the killing an assassination.

The news director of Radio France International Jerome Bouvier says he was shocked.

/// BOUVIER ACT IN FRENCH FADED UNDER ///

He says Mr. Helene had a passion for Africa, where he covered several wars during the 1990s.

In mourning, Radio France International dropped its regular programming and played classical music.

Supporters of Mr. Gbagbo have accused journalists from France, the former colonial power, of backing northern-based rebels since their failed coup last year. The rebels still control the northern half of Ivory Coast.

A leader of the Rally of the Republicans political party, which has its base of support in the mainly Muslim north, Adama Dembele, says he believes Mr. Helene was killed because of his aggressive reporting.

/// DEMBELE ACT IN FRENCH, EST AND FADE///

Mr. Dembele says he believes Ivory Coast has entered a new phase of terror, where there is no freedom of expression. He says he fears the situation will get worse.

Political opponents of Mr. Gbagbo are planning a protest march on November 8th, despite a ban on such demonstrations. Rebels suspended their participation in a power-sharing government last month, saying Mr. Gbagbo is refusing to implement the French-mediated peace accord reached in January. (SIGNED)

NEB/NC/MAR/RAE