PRESIDENT GBAGBO AGREES TO INTERNATIONAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABIDJAN 000755

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/12/2017
TAGS: IV PGOV PREL
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT GBAGBO AGREES TO INTERNATIONAL
INVESTIGATION OF ATTACK ON PM SORO

Classified By: Ambassador Aubrey Hooks for reasons 1.4 b/d.


1. (C) In a meeting with the Ambassador on July 11,
President Gbagbo stated that he had agreed to an
international investigation of the attempt on PM Soro's life
"in order to make the Prime Minister happy." To have
objected to the investigation would have encouraged
unnecessary suspicion in the PM's camp. President Gbagbo
pointed out, however, that only the investigation by an
Ivorian magistrate had any legal standing in terms of
pursuing those responsible for the attack.


2. (C) President Gbagbo also confirmed that he will
participate in the Flame of Peace burning of weapons in
Bouake on July 30, originally scheduled for July 5. He
downplayed any increased security risk, noting that only the
PM had been targeted in the attack.


3. (C) President Gbagbo emphasized that he and the PM are
determined to keep the peace process moving forward. While
he acknowledged that some civil servants will see the attempt
on the PM's life as a symptom of insecurity, he maintained
that he and the PM will seek to reassure them about their
security. From his perspective, the attack on the PM may
help to draw him and the PM even closer together.


4. (C) Referring to presidential elections in 2008,
President Gbagbo smiled and commented that the opposition was
in disarray. He noted that there is increased shifting from
one party to the other. That is politics, he noted, and
reminisced that his own party suffered a number of defections
in 1995 when he declined to run against Bedie. People go
wherever their interests take them, he commented, and the
clever politician has to persuade talented people that their
interests are best served by joining forces with him.


5. (C) COMMENT: President Gbagbo was reasonably upbeat,
although recovering from a cold which he said was
debilitating and sapped his energy. He is currently following
a doctor-prescribed diet to lose weight in order to reduce
his high blood pressure; he has already dropped from 106
kilos to 97 kilos, and intends to lose seven more kilos to
bring his weight down to 90 kilos.
HOOKS