Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05PARIS2201
2005-04-01 15:48:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Paris
Cable title:  

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

Tags:  PREL PGOV IV FR 
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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 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).

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