COTE D'IVOIRE: 2006 COUNTRY REPORT ON TERRORISM

UNCLAS ABIDJAN 001393 SIPDIS SIPDIS S/CT FOR RHONDA SHORE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PTER ASEC PGOV IV SUBJECT: COTE D'IVOIRE: 2006 COUNTRY REPORT ON TERRORISM ¶1. General Assessment: Cote d'Ivoire does not engage in any major counterterrorism efforts as terrorist groups are not known to be present and thus terrorist activity is not a percieved threat in this country. Cote d'Ivoire has been in the throes of a political-military crisis since 2002 which has left the country politically and geographically divided. Despite the instability in country, violence associated with the division has not been associated with any international terrorist organizations, and there is little evidence to indicate threat of terrorist attacks. It is likely that Cote d'Ivoire will cooperate in extraditing known terrorists should such a case arise. The judicial system would likely respond cooperatively in assisting with U.S. counter terrorist efforts. Cote d'Ivoire does not provide political or financial support to any known international terrorist organization. While some Lebanese private communities living in Cote d'Ivoire are known to be active in donating personal income to Hizballah, it is unlikely that the government of Cote d'Ivoire (GOCI) supports or subsidizes this, allthough it is likely that the GOCI is aware of this. The GOCI does not provide diplomatic support through recognition or privileges to any international terrorist organization, and Cote d'Ivoire is not a safe haven for terrorist groups. It is unlikely that Cote d'Ivoire's military and technical services would or could provide weapons of mass destruction or assistance in obtaining or developing such weapons to terrorist organization. ¶2. Safe Haven Assessment: The safe haven assessment examines the extent of knowledge by the GOCI about terrorist activities in country and actions taken by the GOCI with regard to antiterrorist measures. As the GOCI is primarily engaged in resolving the ongoing political crisis, the focus of intelligence in Cote d'Ivoire is directed within the region. As such, both the government-controlled southern regions and the rebel-held northern areas are tightly observed by their respective ruling political parties, and it is probable that the GOCI would be aware of terrorist activities were they to exist. Actions taken by the GOCI with regard to eliminating terrorist safe havens, cooperating with U.S. antiterrorism efforts and/or preventing the proliferation and trafficking in weapons of mass destruction through the territory of the country are difficult to evaluate as international terrorism and proliferation or trafficking of weapons of mass destruction are not considered likely threats in Cote d'Ivoire. It is very likely that Cote d'Ivoire would cooperate with U.S. antiterrorism efforts, especially in a case concerning the welfare of U.S. Citizens. Cote d'Ivoire is broadly supportive of U.S. goals related to weapons of mass destruction. ¶3. Terrorist Groups/Organizations: It is important to note that there has been little to no activity of known terrorist groups in Cote d'Ivoire; there have been no known kidnapping attempts against U.S. citizens during the preceding five years, or any known attempts to obtain or develop any weapons of mass destruction in Cote d'Ivoire. However, it is known that select private Lebanese communities in West Africa including Cote d'Ivoire are major donors to Hizballah and associated entities. Hizballah is present within parts of the population as a political movement, but is not considered to actively engage in or plan for terrorist activities in Cote d'Ivoire. There is no perceived threat from the Hizballah-supporting private populations in Cote d'Ivoire and no support from the GOCI, either financially or politically for Hizballah. There have been no provisions of significant military or paramilitary training or transfer of weapons by GOCI to any known international terrorist group or provision of diplomatic recognition or privileges by the GOCI to these groups. Additionally, there has been no provision by the GOCI of safe haven from prosecution to these groups, although there have been no known cases of attempts by international terrorist group to seek safe haven from prosecution in Cote d'Ivoire. ¶4. Foreign Government Cooperation: In the last five years there has not been a public case in which the U.S. has sought cooperation in the investigation or prosecution of a specific act of international terrorism against U.S. citizens or interests. Hooks