COTE D'IVOIRE: PROGRESS VITAL IF OCTOBER

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 002883

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/03/2016
TAGS: PREL KDEM IV FR
SUBJECT: COTE D'IVOIRE: PROGRESS VITAL IF OCTOBER
ELECTIONS TO TAKE PLACE

REF: A. ABIDJAN 414


B. PARIS 2750

Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, reasons
1.4. (b/d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: Cote d'Ivoire must show progress soon on
identification and disarmament if elections in October are to
remain feasible, MFA Deskoff Olivier Richard stressed on
April 28. The MFA was satisfied with the results of
discussions A/S-equivalent Bruno Joubert had in Washington
concerning UNOCI and its troop levels (i.e., increase up to
1,500, linked to UNMEE). PM Konan Banny's April 10-13 visit
to France focused largely on economic issues and his attempts
to resuscitate French business interest in Cote d'Ivoire.
Shortly before Konan Banny's visit, the French pledged to
provide one million euros for election support (of which
500,000 was spent by the end of 2005 and the remaining
500,000 budgeted for 2006); 500,000 euros for professional
training; and 1.5 million euros for micro-projects proposed
by elements of Cote d'Ivoire's civil society. END SUMMARY.

TANGIBLE PROGRESS IMPERATIVE


2. (C) MFA Deskoff Olivier Richard on April 28 reviewed
recent developments in Cote d'Ivoire. He stressed the
importance of meaningful progress on identification (for
determining nationality and voter eligibility) and
disarmament by the time of the next International Working
Group (IWG) meeting on May 19 if there was to be any hope of
holding elections in Cote d'Ivoire in accordance with the
October target date. He said that the time for talking about
progress in those areas, and on the demobilization and
reintegration of paramilitary forces, had long passed --
"they have to show real progress if they have any expectation
of elections in October." Richard expressed cautious
optimism that elections could be held in October, but he said
that that could happen only if progress took place "beginning
right now on the roadmap."


3. (C) Richard, who had attended the sixth meeting of the
IWG on April 20 (ref A) said that France supported the
group's efforts and its April 20 communique, which also
stressed the importance of progress on identification,
disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration. He noted
that France similarly supported the UNSC Presidential
Statement issued on April 27, which stressed the same themes.
He repeated the importance of progress in these areas. A
lack of progress would seriously jeopardize, if not render
impossible, elections in October, he reiterated.

UNOCI


4. (C) Richard commented briefly on U.S.-France discussions
on UNOCI and its prospective reinforcement. He said that MFA
AF A/S-equivalent Bruno Joubert, who was then in Washington
to discuss this issue, had informed the MFA that he and his
USG counterparts had reached an understanding on troop levels
(i.e., increase up to 1,500, linked to UNMEE),and that,
based on what Joubert had told the MFA, the issue seemed to
be settled. Richard remarked that one of France's earlier
problems with linking UNOCI increases to drawdowns in other
UN missions was that each mission had its own needs, and the
needs of one mission should not be arbitrarily based on
changes to another mission. In any case, Richard expressed
relief that the issue had been resolved to the satisfaction
of both sides as a result of Joubert's consultations. (See
ref B for earlier GOF views on UNOCI and UNMEE.)

PM KONAN BANNY


5. (C) Richard said that Cote d'Ivoire PM Konan Banny's
April 10-13 working visit to France had been a success.
Konan Banny had focused primarily on economic and business
issues, Richard said. He met with members of the French
business sector and with members of the French community that
had left Cote d'Ivoire after the events of November 2004.
Richard said that Konan Banny wanted to revive French
commercial interest in Cote d'Ivoire. Konan Banny's
discussions with GOF officials centered on financial issues
and elections support. Richard noted that France made no new
pledges -- France had made its most recent commitment to
enhance financial support to Cote d'Ivoire at the end of
March, which Cote d'Ivoire FM Bakayoko and Minister-Delegate
for Cooperation Girardin discussed further in New York on
March 31. The assistance announced at that time consisted
of: 1 million euros for election support (Richard explained
that half of this amount covered expenditures made by the end

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of 2005, with the remainder budgeted for 2006); 500,000 euros
for professional training; and 1.5 million euros for
micro-projects that Cote d'Ivoire's civil society had
proposed.


6. (C) Richard said that Konan Banny originally wanted to
visit Paris April 10-13 and continue immediately to the U.S.
and Brussels (EU). He had chosen these destinations because
"that's where he thought Cote d'Ivoire was likely to obtain
assistance for the elections and financial support for the
economy generally," Richard explained. Konan Banny wanted to
go directly from Paris to the U.S. in order to avoid
appearing to be "France's man," Richard said. However, Konan
Banny had to interrupt this itinerary because of the April 20
IWG meeting, which required him to return to Cote d'Ivoire.
After the meeting, Konan Banny then continued his travels.


7. (C) Richard said the GOF was pleased with Konan Banny's
performance as Prime Minister, especially given the difficult
circumstances of his appointment and the present situation in
Cote d'Ivoire. The French had worked with him before and
held him in high regard. Nonetheless, however well
intentioned, Konan Banny faced many challenges, the foremost
being the need for all Ivoirian parties to make progress on
issues such as identification and disarmament if they were
indeed serious about holding elections in October.



Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm

Stapleton