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Secretary-General welcomes upcoming conference of Ivorian parties

6 November – United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today welcomed a plan by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to bring together government leaders, rebel groups and opposition politicians from Côte d'Ivoire next week in Accra, Ghana, in an attempt to revive a French-brokered peace process.

The meeting Monday with the Ivorian groups is to precede a summit of the 15-member union of West African nations, scheduled to start on Tuesday.

A UN spokesman said in a statement the Secretary-General "encourages all Ivorian parties and their leaders to cooperate with ECOWAS on this important initiative and to ensure a successful outcome of the meetings in Accra."

"The Secretary-General hopes that the meetings will focus on reaching agreement on a calendar for the implementation of the key provisions of the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement, in particular on the early disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of the armed groups and the restoration of State authority throughout the country," the statement said.

The Linas-Marcoussis Agreement, signed at Linas-Marcoussis, France, on 24 January, by the main political parties and rebel groups, is aimed at putting an end to the political crisis and civil unrest nearing civil war that has engulfed Ivory Coast since 19 September 2002. It calls on the Government, rebels and political opposition to share power in a transitional government until elections in 2005.

The rebel Forces Nouvelles walked out of the Government of National Reconciliation in September.

Mr. Annan last month expressed his "deep concern" over the actions taken by the Forces Nouvelles and urged the group to re-join the Government of National Reconciliation.