Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ABIDJAN495
2006-05-12 16:58:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Abidjan
Cable title:  

GOCI TO LAUNCH PILOT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM ON MAY

Tags:  PGOV KPKO ASEC PREL IV 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO3163
PP RUEHPA
DE RUEHAB #0495 1321658
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 121658Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY ABIDJAN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1307
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 1355
RUEPGBA/CDR USEUCOM INTEL VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ2/ECJ3/ECJ5//
UNCLAS ABIDJAN 000495 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KPKO ASEC PREL IV
SUBJECT: GOCI TO LAUNCH PILOT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM ON MAY
18


UNCLAS ABIDJAN 000495

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KPKO ASEC PREL IV
SUBJECT: GOCI TO LAUNCH PILOT IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM ON MAY
18



1. (SBU) Summary. The Prime Minister,s office and a New
Forces (FN) representative have told us that on May 18 the
government will begin a pilot population identification
program at seven locations in government and FN territory and
in the Zone of Confidence. End summary.


2. (SBU) Francois Komoin, Secretary General at the Prime
Minister,s office, confirmed that the particulars provided
in a May 12 AFP article on the plan were accurate. According
to Komoin, the pilot program will take place in seven
locations: three in the south, in Port-Bouet, in Abidjan,
Tiapoum, near the border with Ghana, and Meagi, near San
Pedro; two in the Zone of Confidence, in Bangolo and
Sandegue; and two in the FN-controlled north, in Bouna in
the northeast and Botro, near Bouake. Komoin said the pilot
program would begin on May 18 and be completed by May 25.


3. (SBU) According to Alain Lobognon, NF Secretary General
Guillaume Soro,s Assistant Chief of Staff for Communication
and Vice President of the National Commission for the
Supervision of Identification (an organization established by
the Linas-Marcoussis accord),the identification will be
carried out by officials from the Ministry of Justice.
Lobognon added that Tiapoum was chosen because it is a
remote, hard-to-reach location, while Meagi,s population
includes residents from all over West Africa. These
locations will therefore be ideal test sites to measure the
Ministry of Justice,s ability to carry out the work.


4. (SBU) According to Komoin, the Prime Minister,s office
and others involved in this project are still working out the
details and will be meeting through the weekend to finalize
them. He expects that the Minister of Justice will announce
the pilot program at a press conference on Sunday night or
Monday morning.


5. (SBU) Comment: This is a very positive development.
Identification and national identity are at the core of the
NF,s grievances. If the government does launch the
identification process in a serious manner, it will represent
an important step forward in the peace process that may
induce the NF to begin DDR. After his long trip abroad, it
seems Banny has moved quickly to make identification happen.

Hooks