PRESIDENT GBAGBO WANTS TO REDUCE THE UN'S

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABIDJAN 000391 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/17/2017 TAGS: IV KPKO PGOV SUBJECT: PRESIDENT GBAGBO WANTS TO REDUCE THE UN'S POLITICAL ROLE IN COTE D'IVOIRE Classified By: AMBASSADOR AUBREY HOOKS FOR REASONS 1.4 B/D. ¶1. (C) During a meeting with the Ambassador on Friday, April 13, President Gbagbo emphasized that the UN should play a support role, not a lead role, in the political process in Cote d'Ivoire. He referred to President Compaore's March 27 letter to Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, which he said was exactly on target in referring to the UN's role as one of observation and advice, but not decision-making. He cited by way of example that the UN should rehabilitate public buildings as the Government sends civil servants back to the areas under the control of the Forces Nouvelles rebels. He said he did not want another SRSG appointed; both Tevoedjre and Schori had been too arrogant. He is happy to work with D/SRSG Abou Moussa, whom he described as humble. He asked why Moussa could not be named SRSG. ¶2. (C) On the High Representative for Elections (HRE), President Gbagbo was adamant that the HRE should observe and offer advice, but the HRE was not in Cote d'Ivoire to organize elections. He remarked caustically that HRE Gerard Stoudmann talked too much and should leave. He commented that he had deliberately insulted Stoudmann during the meeting the day before with the UN delegation led by Hedi Annabi. When the Ambassador remarked that he had great respect for Stoudmann, Gbagbo replied that he had no respect for Stoudmann, but Stoudmann could remain in Cote d'Ivoire provided he stopped talking so much. The Ambassador noted that the UN wanted to support the political process and was happy to see the Ivorian political class take ownership of the process. However, a UN peacekeeping operation is a political mechanism, not a developmental agency. Furthermore, the United States wants to make sure that our investment in this UN peacekeeping operation is used to support a credible political process, which is one of the reasons we supported the appointment of a HRE. President Gbagbo hastened to reassure the Ambassador that elections would be credible. However, it was clear that President Gbagbo, by muzzling the HRE and opposing the appointment of a SRSG, wants to reduce the UN peacekeeping operation from a high profile political operation to an aid agency in a support capacity. ¶3. (C) When the Ambassador raised the question of Prime Minister Soro's authority, President Gbagbo said the PM's authority is outlined in the constitution. The Ambassador remarked that the partnership with Soro would not succeed in moving Cote d'Ivoire out of crisis if President Gbagbo blocked Soro's efforts to implement the Ouaga Agreement. President Gbagbo said he was sure that he and Soro could work well together. He remarked that a fundamental difference between Soro and his two predecessors is that Soro is his choice, not a PM foisted upon him by the international community. President Gbagbo expressed confidence that the Ouaga Agreement would remain on track, although he conceded that it may take a little longer than ten months to get to elections. ¶4. (C) The Ambassador left the closing session of the International Working Group (IWG) to meet with President Gbagbo. President Gbagbo jokingly asked whether the IWG had beat up on him again. He then added seriously that the IWG's work was over and it had no further rationale for existing. COMMENT: During the last three sessions of the IWG, the Presidency has scheduled meetings with key members of the IWG, probably as a way of disrupting the work of the IWG and expressing the President's scorn for that body. Hooks