Cote d'Ivoire: All Parties Should Move Forward With the the Peace Process to Heal the Nation

The United States is closely monitoring developments in Cote d'Ivoire and is concerned over reports that the New Forces ministers have suspended their participation in the Government of National Reconciliation. We urge the New Forces ministers to resume their participation. We note progress made to date and recognize there are extremely difficult hurdles to cross. All sides must work to instill confidence in the others in order to move forward.

We call on President Laurent Gbagbo, the Government of National Reconciliation and, in particular, the New Forces to implement immediately the Demobilization, Disarmament and Reintegration process so that the Linas-Marcoussis reforms for a free, transparent elections in 2005 can be implemented.

The United States calls on all parties to the Marcoussis agreement to ensure that Cote d'Ivoire does not return to violence and civil strife. History will not judge participants in the Linas-Marcoussis process well if they put individual interests and partisan advantage over the healing of the nation.