Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ABIDJAN1006
2007-09-28 15:07:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abidjan
Cable title:  

COTE D'IVOIRE: COMPAORE'S SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE

Tags:  PGOV PREL IV UV 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO5320
RR RUEHPA
DE RUEHAB #1006/01 2711507
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 281507Z SEP 07 ZDS
FM AMEMBASSY ABIDJAN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3572
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0467
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0852
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABIDJAN 001006 

SIPDIS

C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (PARAS 2 & 4 - NAME OF AMB)

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/W-EPLUMB, LONDON FOR RBELL, PARIS FOR RKANEDA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/27/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL IV UV
SUBJECT: COTE D'IVOIRE: COMPAORE'S SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE
SHARES VIEWS ON OPA IMPLEMENTATION


ABIDJAN 00001006 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES CYNTHIA AKUETTEH FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) A
ND (D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABIDJAN 001006

SIPDIS

C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (PARAS 2 & 4 - NAME OF AMB)

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/W-EPLUMB, LONDON FOR RBELL, PARIS FOR RKANEDA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/27/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL IV UV
SUBJECT: COTE D'IVOIRE: COMPAORE'S SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE
SHARES VIEWS ON OPA IMPLEMENTATION


ABIDJAN 00001006 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES CYNTHIA AKUETTEH FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) A
ND (D)


1. (C) Summary. Boureima Badini, Special Representative of
Ouagadougou Political Accord (OPA) Facilitator Burkina Faso
President Blaise Compaore, told Charge on September 27 that
both President Gbagbo and Prime Minister Soro are committed
to OPA implementation, but that there is a lack of trust
between them. He added that some in Gbagbo's camp do not
support the OPA. Badini believes OPA implementation and
disarmament could be negatively affected if the investigation
into the attack on Soro's plane indicates someone close to
Gbagbo was behind it. Badini said it is too soon to say if
the "audiences foraines" (tribunals that will issue birth
certificates to those who never received them or lost them)
will be able to complete their work in the 3-month timeframe
provided in the OPA. Badini urged the international
community to maintain pressure on OPA implementation and
requested U.S. funding assistance to set up his office. End
Summary.


2. (SBU) Charge d'Affaires accompanied by Pol Chief, met on
September 27 with Emile Ilboudo, Ambassador of
Burkina-Faso to Cote d'Ivoire, and Boureima Badini, Special
Representative of the OPA Facilitator. Badini, who arrived
in Cote d'Ivoire on September 11 to take up his duties, told
Charge that his role is to monitor the events on the ground
regarding OPA implementation and that he is optimistic. He
said the Government of Cote d'Ivoire (GOCI) is assisting him
in locating a residence and an office and that it is likely
that his office will be located in the International Labor
Office (Bureau International de Travail - BIT). Badini said
there is "synergy" between his office and the United Nations
Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) and explained that UNOCI
will provide security for him.

Commitment Exists, But Trust Lacking
--------------


3. (C) Badini said both Gbagbo and Soro are committed to OPA

implementation, but that there is a lack of trust between
them. Badini said Soro's Forces Nouvelles are tired of the
crisis and support the OPA, but some in the President's camp
don't back the OPA and are trying to hinder its
implementation. Responding to a question from Charge, Badini
said that Soro does not discuss the June 29 attack on his
plane, but that Soro believes persons in the Presidential
camp were behind it. Badini noted that if the UN
investigation into the attack indicates that it was carried
out by persons close to the President, it will further erode
trust between Soro and Gbagbo and will negatively impact on
the disarmament process.

Audiences Foraines
--------------


4. (C) Badini said OPA implementation has reached a critical
stage with the commencement of the "audiences foraines" on
September 25 and that, while it is positive that the process
has begun, it must be transparent. He noted that the OPA
provides for the "audiences foraines" to run for 3 months and
that the date to start the clock running needs to be chosen,
either the September 25 symbolic commencement date (see
reftel) or a later date when the process has been expanded to
more locations. In response to the Charge's question whether
the audiences foraines will be able to complete their work in
3 months, Badini said the process will have to be evaluated
at the halfway point. He also said a decision to extend the
timeframe for the "audiences foraines" would have to be
agreed to be by both parties to the OPA and would affect the
date for elections which some would like to see held earlier
than others. Ambassador Ilboudo expressed concern that some
political parties have stated that they will accuse the
government of fraud if the "audiences foraines" issue more
than 300,000 birth certificates, thereby setting the stage
for further political turmoil. Badini believes that the OPA
would never have been achieved if all political parties had
participated in the process. He complained that the
opposition political parties have already begun campaigning
for the next election instead of supporting the country's
emergence from its political crisis.


Challenges and Role of International Community
-------------- -


5. (C) Badini told Charge that a major challenge is the
determination of the technical advisor for the identification

ABIDJAN 00001006 002.2 OF 002


process. He stated that redeployment of the administration
to the north and west of the country is crucial in order to
hold elections. Badini expressed frustration with the
unwillingness of bureaucrats to return until their offices
and official residences have been rehabilitated, observing
that in Burkina Faso tribunals have met "under trees."
Badini said another fundamental issue is the ranks for Forces
Nouvelles members who are integrated into the Armed Forces
and that President Compaore is consulting with the parties on
this issue. Badini encouraged the international community
to press the parties to fully implement the OPA, including
choosing the technical advisor. Badini also requested U.S.
financial assistance in setting up his office.


6. (C) COMMENT: Badini, who was the former Minister of
Justice in Burkina Faso, was especially forthcoming in the
meeting and didn't hesitate to respond to questions/concerns.
In his comments, he reported that he meets weekly with
various parties in order to maintain pressure on them to
implement the OPA. He also commented that "the parties have
confidence in and are even afraid of Compaore." END COMMENT.




AKUETTEH