Fighting in Ivory Coast

Mark C. Toner

Acting Deputy Spokesman

Washington, DC

The United States condemns the renewed assault by forces loyal to former President Gbagbo against the Republican Forces of Cote d’Ivoire. It is clear that Gbagbo’s attempts at negotiation this week were nothing more than a ruse to regroup and rearm. Gbagbo’s continued attempt to force a result that he could not obtain at the ballot box reveals his callous disregard for the welfare of the Ivoirian people, who will again suffer amid renewed heavy fighting in Abidjan.

We call on Gbagbo to cease these hostilities, direct his supporters to stand down, and surrender to President Ouattara’s legitimately-elected government. We reiterate to all forces the urgent need to respect the rights of civilians and to fulfill United Nations Security Council Resolution obligations and requirements of the international community. We salute President Ouattara’s affirmation of the need for credible investigations of abuses perpetrated by any party, and welcome his commitment to govern for all Ivoirians.

Cote d'Ivoire: Financial Sanctions

Office of the Spokesman

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today leveled financial sanctions against former Cote d’Ivoire President Laurent Gbagbo and his wife, Simone Gbagbo. Today’s action also targeted three of Laurent Gbagbo’s senior advisors and members of his inner circle, Desire Tagro, Pascal Affi N’Guessan, and Alcide Ilahiri Djedje for acting for or on his behalf. As a result of today's actions, U.S. persons are prohibited from conducting financial or commercial transactions with the designated individuals, and any assets of the designees within U.S. jurisdiction are frozen.

The citizens of Cote d’Ivoire expressed their will in elections on November 28, electing Alassane Ouattara the new president with 54 percent of the vote. The results were widely declared by accredited, credible international observers to be free and fair. Gbagbo’s efforts to remain in power threaten years of reconciliation and peace-building efforts on behalf of the Ivoirian people.

Remarks by Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, to members of the UN Press on Sudan and Cote d'Ivoire

Ambassador Rice: Our president of the Council will soon issue a press statement that basically summarizes the Council’s view on the situation in Sudan. It was a US-drafted statement and we agree with everything in it. The purpose really is to underscore that there’s been some important progress made in preparations for the referendum in the South on Sunday, beginning on Sunday. We’re encouraged that the parties seem to be making timely and clear-cut statements reaffirming their commitment to the process, to holding it on time, and to respecting the results. That said, obviously there are a number of very critical outstanding issues that need to be resolved about which we remain very much concerned and focused on, including Abyei and citizenship, including resource-sharing, debt, and all of that – that will need continued urgent attention in the wake of the conclusion of the referendum period after the fifteenth.

We also spent a lot of time in the Council – and you’ll see this reflected in the statement – discussing the very concerning deteriorating situation in Darfur – and expressed real concern about violence that has led to a high number of displacements in the month of December – 40,000 rapes, murders, burning of villages, aerial bombardments, stuff that sadly we’ve become accustomed to in the context of Darfur. And the Council, for its part, and the United States, clearly for our part, are both very much focused on the situation in Darfur and the urgency of addressing issues like access for UNAMID, ending any external support that may be continuing to the parties on both sides, and ensuring that negotiations proceed in a serious fashion. In that regard, we and others expressed the importance of the government continuing to stay at the table and negotiate seriously in Doha, and we welcome the progress that the LJM made in accepting the recommendations, and hope that that can possibly provide a basis for progress on a larger set of Darfur issues.

Reporter: I know that you’re very concerned about Darfur, but can you just confirm the reports from the New York Times and elsewhere that a peaceful approach to Darfur was taken up as a condition for a package of incentives? You know, when the package of incentives was put forward, there were conditions for it to be activated. And the main one was for Bashir to cooperate with a peaceful referendum, there was also supposed to be his cooperation for a peaceful settlement for Darfur. The Times has reported that that is no longer a condition.

Ambassador Rice: I haven’t seen that, but no. The United States has always said that full normalization – the President said it himself here on the twenty-fourth— the full normalization of our relationship with Sudan depends on its resolution of the situation in Darfur. There are interim steps, important steps, that we hope will be in a position to take as progress is being made on implementing the CPA. I don’t know what this report is you’re talking to – it is not right.

Reporter: Related to this, this agreement by Salva Kiir to eject or stop the rebel groups from Darfur from being in South Sudan. Is it a positive thing? Does it help resolve things in Darfur, the idea that they wouldn’t have to go back? It was announced by Salva Kiir.

Ambassador Rice: Our view has long been that it’s vitally important that both parties to the CPA refrain from, in any way, direct or indirectly supporting rebel or proxy activity against the other. And so we urged that, to the extent that that has been the case, that it cease.

Reporter: Is there a problem with Darfur rebels in South Sudan? What’s the extent of it?

Ambassador Rice: I’m not sure I can give you a full assessment of the extent of it. I mean we’ve heard the UN report that there have been instances in which, perhaps to escape military activity in the North, rebels have moved into the South. We’ve seen evidence of bombing in hot pursuit by the government. So it’s clearly something of an issue. I can’t give you scientific assessment of its magnitude.

Reporter: On Cote D’Ivoire, Mr. LeRoy is increasingly worried about ethnic violence, the situation in the Gulf Hotel is at a standstill, ambassadors yesterday said they were strongly supportive of giving ECOWAS dialogue and negotiations a chance. Is the US sort of running out of patience and feeling, one, that the proposal by Mr. LeRoy to increase the strength of UNOCI, which he says he’s going to make next week – do you support that? And also, is it time, perhaps that there are some sanctions for Gbagbo and his cabinet? How do you feel about increasing the pressure on him versus the ECOWAS?

Ambassador Rice: I think they’re not mutually exclusive. Secondly, we haven’t seen a specific proposal on UNOCI so we haven’t taken a position on it. Obviously we’ve indicated a concern that UNOCI have what it needs to be effective and will consider swiftly and seriously any specific request we are getting. With respect to sanctions, we, the United States, and the European Union and others have taken steps, including yesterday to sanction Gbagbo and those close to him in terms of the authority to travel and move resources and assets. We think that kind of pressure is warranted given the continued refusal to accept and act on the will of the Ivorian people. And certainly in case of the UN we have a sanctions regime, they exist on Cote D’Ivoire and to the extent that this remains stalled, I think we are obliged to look at whether it needs to be augmented and invigorated.

Reporter: Look imminently?

Ambassador Rice: I’m not putting a timeline on it, but I think that it’s time to begin to discuss that seriously.

Situation in Cote d'Ivoire

Philip J. Crowley

Assistant Secretary

MR. CROWLEY: Good afternoon and welcome to the Department of State. Just a couple of things to mention before taking your questions. This morning there was a communiqué issued by the African Union and ECOWAS regarding the situation in Cote d'Ivoire. We are evaluating this communiqué, including its highlighting President Gbagbo’s promise to lift the blockades surrounding the Gulf Hotel and President-elect Ouattara’s willingness to ensure a dignified exit for President Gbagbo if he accepts Ouattara’s victory. And we continue, obviously, to support the ongoing diplomatic efforts of the AU and ECOWAS.

It is important to democracy, peace, and security in West Africa that President Gbagbo peacefully yield power, and any resolution to the current standoff must begin with the internationally endorsed acknowledgement that Alassane Ouattara has won the presidential election in November. To date, President Gbagbo has refused to acknowledge that victory. And no resolution should include a power-sharing arrangement between President-elect Ouattara and former President Gbagbo.

QUESTION: Can we stay on this just for a second?

MR. CROWLEY: Sure.

QUESTION: Why – why should no resolution not have a power-sharing agreement?

MR. CROWLEY: Well, that would overturn the --

QUESTION: One of the --

MR. CROWLEY: Okay.

QUESTION: What happened – one of the people who was there on behalf of the AU was a guy named Raila Odinga, who happened to – happened to have been involved in his own election across the other side of the continent --

MR. CROWLEY: Yes, indeed.

QUESTION: -- in Kenya, which ended in a power-sharing agreement after much violence, less violence than I think may have happened in the Ivory Coast. Why is it – why are you ruling out a power-sharing deal here?

MR. CROWLEY: Well, quite simply, the results of the election were clear. To quote a former president, elections have consequences. No one disputes the results of the election besides President Gbagbo. And we believe that for the future of democracy in Cote d'Ivoire and West Africa that he should step down. And that is why we continue to support diplomatic efforts to resolve that with the peaceful transfer of power to Mr. Ouattara.

QUESTION: Well, why is a power-sharing deal okay in Kenya, or for that matter in Zimbabwe, and it’s not here?

MR. CROWLEY: Because you’ve had a clear election result, and we believe for the future of this country this is the best result for Cote d'Ivoire.

QUESTION: Was it --

MR. CROWLEY: Can I finish a couple things first?

QUESTION: Sure, so sorry. But it’s on Cote d'Ivoire.

MR. CROWLEY: Okay.

QUESTION: Was it the French who asked the United States to consider giving Mr. Gbagbo asylum?

MR. CROWLEY: Well, I’m not suggesting that such an offer exists. Another aspect of consequences is the ongoing situation on the ground, which has resulted since the election in the deaths of a great number of people, and much of this violence has been perpetrated at the behest of President Gbagbo.

So one of the things that we’ve made clear is that President Gbagbo has many options for departing Cote d'Ivoire. And as the communiqué makes clear, there is still the opportunity for a dignified exit. But there should be consequences for the – for what has occurred in Cote d'Ivoire and the violence that has resulted from the failure to recognize the results of the election. But so --

QUESTION: Are you --

MR. CROWLEY: But President – nothing is preventing President Gbagbo from leaving Cote d'Ivoire. And as we’ve said, we are – we don’t know where he might go. But we believe at this point it’s important for him to leave soon, and the opportunity for him to leave with a dignified exit is an opportunity that is a – that window is closing fast.

QUESTION: I may have misread, but there’s a New York Times article from Friday quoting you saying that there is an offer for him to come to the United States. Is that – did I misread or is it – could you clarify what is the offer if – I mean, or what is being discussed?

MR. CROWLEY: Maybe I misunderstood the question that you were asking. We have signaled to him that if he wanted to come to the United States, we were prepared to discuss that possibility. A number of countries have made similar gestures to President Gbagbo. But that said, in the intervening time since we made our position known, he is responsible for what has occurred in Cote d'Ivoire over the past few weeks. And anything that might be contemplated would have to take into account what has happened in Cote d'Ivoire since the election.

QUESTION: So from your earlier comment, it makes it sounds as though you think that he should be – if there are charges to be brought or prosecution or anything on the human rights side, that those should follow him to wherever he may end up.

MR. CROWLEY: I mean, leaders are responsible for the security of their country and the safety of their people. And where there have been violations of human rights, of course, leaders should be held accountable in whatever country that might occur, including Cote d’Ivoire.

QUESTION: So any dignified exit that might be contemplated for him would be essentially, potentially, an exit into a court?

MR. CROWLEY: Again, let me reiterate what we’ve said all along. We want to see a peaceful transition of leadership to President-elect Ouattara. We continue to support all efforts to see President Gbagbo leave Cote d’Ivoire. If he is interested in coming to the United States – and quite honestly, there’s no indication that he is – we would entertain that as a means of resolving the current situation. But any consideration of travel to the United States would have to take into account what has happened on the ground in the past few weeks.

QUESTION: I don’t understand the urgency of him – for him – it’s important for him to leave and as soon as possible, soon. What is the urgency here, where you have a situation in Zimbabwe where a man – President Mugabe – has reaped far more repression and havoc on his country? Why aren’t you – why don’t you call for him to leave?

MR. CROWLEY: Well, I --

QUESTION: Why don’t you call for – I don’t understand – this is hypocrisy.

MR. CROWLEY: We have many times said that Zimbabwe is certainly entitled to a more responsible leader than President Mugabe. I think you would have – I would avoid – I mean, we the United States support democratic elections and peaceful transfers of power. We acknowledge that in various parts of the world there are despotic leaders who are clinging to power through the manipulation of the existing system, and President Mugabe certainly is guilty of that. We want to see the expansion of political opportunity in Zimbabwe, just as we do in many other countries.

At some point you’ve got to start somewhere, and we have an election in Cote d’Ivoire. The international community, from the United Nations to the United States, has recognized the results. The leaders in the region, demonstrated by the delegation that was in Abidjan yesterday representing the AU and ECOWAS, is making it clear that in West Africa they are standing for democracy, and we support that effort.

QUESTION: So does that communiqué that you just referred to – sorry I don’t know this – include power sharing? Is that what they’re saying?

MR. CROWLEY: It does not mention power sharing.

QUESTION: Is anyone at this point proposing power sharing?

MR. CROWLEY: I believe ECOWAS has been on the record, as have we; we do not favor a power-sharing arrangement in Cote d’Ivoire.

Let me – I just wanted to mention a couple of things. Acting Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Frank Ruggiero will travel later this week to those countries, a trip that Ambassador Richard Holbrooke had planned to make after the new year. He will meet with government officials, representatives of civil society, and the media. And it will focus on preparations for the upcoming U.S.-Afghanistan-Pakistan trilateral meeting scheduled to take place in Washington next month. He will reaffirm the United States commitment to the people of Pakistan and will continue to support Pakistan’s efforts to ensure greater peace, security, and stability in the region, now and in the future. And he will also reiterate in Afghanistan the President’s commitment to a transition to full Afghan lead for security that will begin this year and conclude in 2014.

Special Session of the Human Rights Council on the Situation in Cote d'Ivoire

By Hillary Clinton

Today’s special session of the Human Rights Council concerning the ongoing crisis in Cote d’Ivoire underscored the international community’s commitment to ensure respect for human rights and to address serious abuses. We applaud the African Group for leading this session.

The United States joins the international community in condemning the growing violence, the grave human rights violations, and the deterioration of security in Cote d’Ivoire. We stand with the Council in calling for the immediate end to the violence and other abuses, and we will work to hold those responsible for these human rights violations accountable.

When the United States joined the Human Rights Council, we promised to work from within to improve its effectiveness as we strive to achieve our common goals. Today’s special session exemplifies this new approach and reaffirms that the Council has an important role to play on all issues where human rights are in question.

President Alassane Dramane Ouattara is the legitimately elected and internationally recognized leader of Cote d’Ivoire. We reiterate our call for former President Laurent Gbagbo to step down immediately. The rights of the Ivoirian people can only be fully realized when democracy is respected and the rule of law restored in Cote d’Ivoire.

Cote d'Ivoire: Travel Restrictions

Office of the Spokesman (State Department)

Washington, DC

The Secretary of State on December 21, 2010 imposed travel restrictions to the United States on members of Laurent Gbagbo’s regime, as well as other individuals who support policies or actions that undermine the democratic process and reconciliation efforts in Cote d’Ivoire.

The citizens of Cote d’Ivoire expressed their will in elections on November 28, with results which were widely declared by accredited, credible international observers to be free and fair. Gbagbo’s efforts to remain in power despite the expressed will of the Ivoirian people for Alassane Ouattara to be president threaten to compromise years of reconciliation and peace-building efforts on behalf of the Ivoirian people.

Remarks by Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, on Cote d'Ivoire

Susan E. Rice

U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations

U.S. Mission to the United Nations

New York, NY

December 20, 2010

Good afternoon, on behalf of the Security Council, I would like to read the following statement on Cote d’Ivoire:

The members of the Security Council after the unanimous adoption of Security Council resolution 1962 (2010), remain deeply concerned about the continued violence in Côte d’Ivoire, including armed attacks against the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) and multiple civilian fatalities, many more wounded and even more being displaced across Côte d’Ivoire.

The members of the Security Council condemn in the strongest terms acts of violence against UNOCI and recall its resolution 1502 (2003) on Protection of United Nations personnel, associated personnel and humanitarian personnel in conflict zones. The members of the Security Council warn all those responsible for attacks against peacekeepers and civilians that they will be held accountable and will be brought to justice, in accordance with international law and international humanitarian law.

The members of the Security Council urge all Ivorians to exercise maximum restraint, remain calm, resist provocative actions, refrain from violence, and work together to restore sustainable peace.

The members of the Security Council reiterate their support for the constructive role of the Secretary-General in Côte d’Ivoire and stress that UNOCI, under the leadership of his Special Representative, continues to fulfill impartially its existing mandate, and to facilitate political dialogue between the Ivorian stakeholders in order to ensure peace in Côte d’Ivoire and respect for the outcome of the Presidential election as recognized by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union.

Thank you.

Reporter: Ambassador Rice, can you give us an update on where the Council is on negotiations on North Korea please?

Ambassador Rice: There’s really no update to provide beyond what I said last night. There has not been continued discussion today of the text. I think most Council members -- we still never heard back from at least one delegation as to whether they had instructions. But I think most Council members concluded that the window of relevance, or principle relevance for the stake that we were discussing yesterday, has largely passed.

Reporter: Ambassador, does this meant that there’s no reason to continue with these discussions? What’s the U.S. position in your capacity as ambassador?

Ambassador Rice: The U.S. position is that it would have been constructive, had it been possible, to issue a strong and unanimous statement in which we made clear that it was the Council’s view that the attack by North Korea on the island of Yeonpyeong was to be condemned, and that we were clear as to what had transpired in addition to urging restraint. At this point, since that was not possible despite the fact that the vast majority of Council members were prepared to do so, we don’t think that it’s particularly necessary or productive to continue the discussion. The goal is peace and security on the Korean peninsula, and we stand in support of that. And I think continued haggling over a statement whose relevance has largely passed is not particularly productive. I think it’s unfortunate that almost all of the Council was prepared to go in that direction last night, but not all of us. And today, we’re frankly focused on Cote d’Ivoire and a number of other issues that are also pressing.

Reporter: On Cote d’Ivoire, Alain LeRoy told us afterwards that Laurent Gbagbo has some non-Ivoirians, he used the word “mercenaries” from Liberia, fighting with his forces. I wonder what you think of that. And also there’s a report that Ocampo of the ICC told the U.S. Mission or yourself that Bashir had $9 billion taken from Sudan and put in London, Lloyd’s of London, is what he mentioned. And I just wondered, it’s one of these cables, I don’t want to talk about the cable aspect of it, but I just wanted to know what do you think of that? Is that something Ocampo met with you and Ambassador Wolff and said, and if case, what did the U.S. do to find out if it’s true?

Ambassador Rice: I’m not going to comment on cables. I don’t have a recollection of that being told to me directly, and I don’t know if it was said to anybody else. With respect to the mercenaries allegedly being utilized in Cote d’Ivoire, we’re aware of those reports; to my knowledge, they have not yet been confirmed. If they are confirmed, it would be a source of grave concern, not only for the United States, but indeed, for the entire Security Council.

Thank you all very much.

Statement by Ambassador Brooke D. Anderson, U.S. Alternate Representative for Special Political Affairs, in her Capacity as President of the UN Security Council, on the Situation in Côte D'Ivoire

By Brooke Anderson

The members of the Security Council reiterate their support for the constructive role of the Secretary-General in Côte d’Ivoire and stress the important role that the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) under the leadership of his Special Representative continues to play under its existing mandate.

The members of the Security Council welcome efforts by the African Union, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and countries in the region to assist in preserving peace and stability in Côte d’Ivoire.

The members of the Security Council welcome the communiqué of the Chairman of the African Union, the statement of the African Union Peace and Security Council, and the Final Communiqué of the December 7th ECOWAS Commission Extraordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government on Côte d’Ivoire held in Abuja, Nigeria. In view of ECOWAS’ recognition of Mr. Alassane Dramane Ouattara as President-elect of Côte d'Ivoire and representative of the freely expressed voice of the Ivorian people as proclaimed by the Independent Electoral Commission, the members of the Security Council call on all stakeholders to respect the outcome of the election.

The members of the Security Council condemn in the strongest possible terms any effort to subvert the popular will of the people or undermine either the integrity of the electoral process or the free and fair elections in Côte d'Ivoire.

The members of the Security Council support the efforts of the African Union and ECOWAS in promoting dialogue in Côte d'Ivoire and call on all Ivorian stakeholders to exercise maximum restraint and work together to restore sustainable peace and foster political reconciliation in the country.

The members of the Security Council deplore the suspension of non-governmental media in Côte d’Ivoire. They recall the importance that all citizens of Côte d'Ivoire have full access to pluralistic and diverse information in the media, and urge the Ivorian authorities to immediately restore equitable access to State media, as required by paragraph 7 of Resolution 1933 (2010).

The members of the Security Council reiterate the readiness of the Security Council to impose targeted measures against persons who attempt to threaten the peace process, obstruct the work of UNOCI and other international actors, or commit serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, as required by paragraph 6 of Resolution 1946 (2010).

The members of the Security Council call on all parties to cooperate fully in the operations of UNOCI and ensure its freedom of movement. The members of the Security Council reiterate their support for UNOCI's work to advance the Ivorian peace process until its successful completion.