NEW COTE D'IVOIRE AMBASSADOR SAYS GOVERNMENT WILL RESPECT NOVEMBER ELECTION DATE; COMMITTED TO STRENGTHENING ECOWAS

C O N F I D E N T I A L ACCRA 000633 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/14/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR IV GH SUBJECT: NEW COTE D'IVOIRE AMBASSADOR SAYS GOVERNMENT WILL RESPECT NOVEMBER ELECTION DATE; COMMITTED TO STRENGTHENING ECOWAS Classified By: Ambassador Pamela E. Bridgewater for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) In a May 14 courtesy call on Ambassador Bridgewater, the new Cote d'Ivoire Ambassador to Ghana, Ekra Kouassi Florent, said his government would respect the planned November 30 election date, and that despite complaints from some in the international community that preparations are taking too long, it was important to ensure that preparations are done correctly to "avoid another war." The government is working to ensure that preparations are "on solid ground" and that the country is truly ready. He noted difficulties with funding, particularly with regard to revising voter lists, paying rebels to turn in their weapons, and providing jobs. Ambassador Florent also said that despite Cote d'Ivoire's difficulties, the crisis has provided the government with a better understanding of the complexities of dealing with a population that is 26% foreign. ¶2. (C) In Ghana, Florent said he feels an ethnic kinship with the Ashanti leadership. When Ambassador Bridgewater commented that the Mission has been working on the problem of child labor in the cocoa sector, Florent criticized journalists who have reported "in error" that there are child slaves in Cote d'Ivoire's cocoa sector without visiting the country. ¶3. (C) In Ghana, Florent said that his priority is to strengthen bilateral relations, and encourage a deepening of cooperation between the countries within regional groupings such as ECOWAS. In the past, he noted, Ivoirians have viewed Ghana as a competitor, but Abidjan's priority now is to strengthen ties and address common problems. Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana, Florent noted, have similar problems, including inadequate power infrastructure, but the two countries should be "the engines in ECOWAS." ¶4. (C) When asked for his views of the Ghanaian election campaign, Florent stressed his country's sole interest is see a peaceful process. He said Cote d'Ivoire has had excellent relations with President Kufuor, but that it was up to Ghanaians to determine their leadership, and refrained from offering an opinion on the competing parties. ¶5. (C) BIO NOTE: Ambassador Florent was born in Aluinamouenou, Cote d'Ivoire in 1950 and is married with five children. He most recently completed a tour as Deputy Chief of Mission in London, and has served with Cote d'Ivoire's UN Missions in Geneva and New York (including during Cote d'Ivoire's term on the Security Council during the first Gulf War). He is a well-spoken, loquacious, and dynamic diplomat who is likely to be an effective advocate for his country in neighboring Ghana. END NOTE. BRIDGEWATER