Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04ACCRA1524
2004-07-21 17:15:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Accra
Cable title:  

ACCRA III IS ON (FOR NOW)

Tags:  PREL GH ECOWAS 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L ACCRA 001524 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2014
TAGS: PREL GH ECOWAS
SUBJECT: ACCRA III IS ON (FOR NOW)

REF: ABIDJAN 1673

Classified By: Polchief Richard Kaminski, reason 1.4 (B/D).

C O N F I D E N T I A L ACCRA 001524

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2014
TAGS: PREL GH ECOWAS
SUBJECT: ACCRA III IS ON (FOR NOW)

REF: ABIDJAN 1673

Classified By: Polchief Richard Kaminski, reason 1.4 (B/D).


1. (C) On July 21, in a briefing for the diplomatic corps,
Foreign Minister Nana Akufo-Addo formally announced the
holding of the Accra III peace talks July 29-30. Akufo-Addo
listed presidents Mbeki, Obasanjo, Bongo, Toure, Kerekou and
Kufuor as attendees, as well as Prime Minister Sama of TOGO,
ECOWAS Executive Secretary Ibn Chambas, UNSG Kofi Annan, and
all the political players in Cote d'Ivoire, including Gbagbo,
Ouattara, Bedie, Diarra and Soro. He also passed out copies
of a statement on the AU summit he had presented to
Parliament. He then took questions.


2. (C) When asked of Abidjan press speculation on a possible
postponement (reftel),Akufo-Addo uncharacteristically
hesitated, and then said that "if the parties feel that not
enough has been completed" (re LMA legislation and other
items),a postponement could result. However, he said that
"for the time being," the conference was on. "Let's cross
the bridge when we come to it," he remarked. He reiterated
that the GOG had firm commitments of participation from
everyone he had mentioned.


3. (C) In response to another question, he said that a
pre-Accra III negotiation session, involving the Ivorien
parties, President Kufuor, and Chambas, was planned. Soro
would arrive over the weekend, he said, with Bedie and Diarra
coming the 26th, and Ouattara the 27 (he mentioned no date
for President Gbagbo).


4. (C) In the hallways of the conference center after the
briefing, Ghanaian Foreign Ministry officials told polchief
that an emissary from President Gbagbo was expected that day,
bringing an "important" (undisclosed) message. The Moroccan
Ambassador, who we find usually quite well informed, told us
later that "of course it's a request to put off the talks."
However, Foreign Ministry Supervising Director Leslie
Christian said that, although there had been initial
hesitation from several of the Ivorien parties, "all" were
now willing to attend.


5. (SBU) Comment. While acknowledging the potential for a
postponement, Akufo-Addo advised the diplomatic corps that
the planning for Accra III continues, a sentiment echoed by
his ministry colleagues in the hallways afterwards. Much
appears to depend upon the ability (and willingness) of
Ivorien parties to redeem pledges made at the AU summit
regarding LMA legislation and the like. End comment.

YATES