COTE D'IVOIRE: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON DPRK ENTITY

S E C R E T ABIDJAN 001256 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/07/2121 TAGS: PARM PREL IV SUBJECT: COTE D'IVOIRE: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON DPRK ENTITY ENGAGED IN PROLIFERATION REF: SECSTATE 180512 Classified By: Dep PolEconCouns EMassinga, Reasons 1.4 (b,d) ¶1. (S) On November 8, Econ Chief delivered talking points in reftel to Ambassador Bernard TANOH BOUTCHOUE, Director of United Nations and Specialized Institutions Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. ¶2. (S) TANOH indicated that Cote d'Ivoire takes its UN obligations seriously and opposes the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and would certainly refrain from engaging in commerce with KOMID or its subsidiaries. TANOH also estimated that the chances of KOMID equipment, businessmen or other economic ties being present in Cote d'Ivoire were remote. However, he promised the government would work with its international partners, including the U.S., on this serious concern. Hooks