NEWS RELEASES

April 2, 2004 (2:50 p.m. EST) No. 52

GRAHAM CALLS ON IVORIANS TO COOPERATE WITH UN OPERATION IN CÔTE D'IVOIRE

Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham today called upon all Ivorian officials to cooperate fully with the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), which will begin its mandate on April 4.

"Our hope is that the UNOCI will help restore a climate of confidence that will facilitate disarmament and the implementation of the reforms set out in the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement," said Minister Graham. "Following the renewed outbreak of violence in Côte d'Ivoire, we urge all parties to resume dialogue. It is incumbent upon all Ivorian institutions, including the government of national reconciliation and the National Assembly, to take concrete steps to rekindle the peace process and pave the way for fair and transparent elections in 2005."

Canada is concerned about reports indicating serious human rights violations against civilians and law enforcement officers during an opposition protest in Abidjan on March 25, 2004, and in the days that followed. "Canada applauds the decision of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to establish an International Commission of Inquiry responsible for shedding light on the incidents of March 25," stated Minister Graham. "We also wish to remind the Ivorian government of its commitment to end impunity through the creation of a National Human Rights Commission and an International Commission of Inquiry to investigate human rights violations committed during the conflict."

"We are also asking the Ivorian government to do everything in its power to ensure an environment of freedom and security in which Ivorian and foreign journalists can carry out their work," added Minister Graham.

The United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire is a peacekeeping mission that will include approximately 6,240 military personnel and up to 350 civilian police. The UNOCI's civilian police component will be under the command of a senior Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officer. Canada will also send a contingent of nine police officers to the mission. This contribution by Canada is being made under the Canadian Police Arrangement, managed jointly by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, the RCMP, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada and the Canadian International Development Agency.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Isabelle Savard
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851

Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca