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