COTE D'IVOIRE: OUATTARA SAYS IT MAY BE TIME FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 002201 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/01/2015 TAGS: PREL PGOV IV FR SUBJECT: COTE D'IVOIRE: OUATTARA SAYS IT MAY BE TIME FOR SANCTIONS Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Embassy Africa watcher met March 31 with RDR leader Allasane Dramane Ouattara at Ouattara's Paris office to deliver a message from the Secretary responding to Ouattara's message of congratulations on her appointment. ¶2. (C) Ouattara's office, located at 124 Avenue Victor Hugo, has no external marking, although a historical marker outside notes that the address was Victor Hugo's last residence. The office was staffed by a secretary and at least three others including Ally Coulibaly, "Director of Communication," and Adama Toungara, the mayor of the Abidjan district of Abobo. ¶3. (C) After expressing appreciation for the Secretary's message, Ouattara told Africa watcher that while he had confidence in South African President Thabo Mbeki's "methodical" efforts, the crisis in Cote d'Ivoire was urgent and the time was approaching when sanctions against those who were blocking the process should be considered. He said that the threat of sanctions in December was what had led to President Gbagbo sending legislation to parliament for approval. ¶4. (C) Ouattara said that he was leaving for Pretoria April 1 to participate with Gbagbo, former President Bedie and NF leader Soro in talks hosted by Mbeki. Asked about his return to Paris, Ouattara claimed that Gabonese President Bongo and Nigerian President Obasanjo had invited him for talks. Ouattara seemed more certain that he would stop in Libreville than in Abuja. Ouattara said that he would be pleased to provide us with his views on the Pretoria meetings on his return to Paris. LEACH