Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ACCRA633
2008-05-15 16:08:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Accra
Cable title:  

NEW COTE D'IVOIRE AMBASSADOR SAYS GOVERNMENT WILL

Tags:  PREL PGOV PINR IV GH 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO5999
RR RUEHPA
DE RUEHAR #0633 1361608
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 151608Z MAY 08 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY ACCRA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6512
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/CDR USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
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)

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