by Caspar Leighton
ABIDJAN, Nov 14 (AFP) - French Development Aid Minister Charles Josselin
said here Tuesday he believed forthcoming legislative elections in Ivory
Coast
would be a democratic success that would allow France to convince its
partners
to start resending aid.
Josselin's visit was the first of a high-ranking Western official to
Ivory
Coast after controversial presidential elections in October, which saw
military leader General Robert Guei ousted and veteran politician Laurent
Gbagbo brought in as president.
Speaking after a meeting with Gbagbo, Josselin said he was "pleased to
hear
the president underlined the importance he is giving to the legislative
elections."
"These elections must allow all political sensibilities to express
themselves. I have no doubt that the elections will be a success from a
democratic point of view," he added.
Most candidates were excluded from the October 22 poll, including those
from the former ruling Democratic Party (PDCI) and the opposition Rally of
Republicans (RDR). Between them the two parties can claim three-quarters of
the electorate.
The poll led to scenes of violence in which at least 171 people were
killed, first in a mass uprising to oust Guei and then in political and
ethnic
clashes between Gbagbo supporters and supporters of former prime minister
and
RDR leader Alassane Ouattara, who had been barred from running.
Josselin said that if the December 10 elections were a democratic success
he was convinced France, the former colonial power, would be able to
persuade
its partners, notably the European Union, to turn the aid tap back on again.
France and the EU -- which it currently presides -- suspended budgetary
aid
to Ivory Coast after the December 24 military coup that brought Guei to
power.
The new government could, Josselin said, "count on the support of France,
but also that of the European Union and the international community."
Tuesday's visit was of considerable significance to Ivory Coast, which
has
seen its relations with France strained over the past 10 months of military
rule.
The country's economy, already unhealthy before the December coup, is
near
bankruptcy and the prospect of renewed financial aid will be a great boost
to
Gbagbo's fledgling administration.
Josselin said he was happy with the outcome of last month's poll. Several
countries, including the United States, Nigeria and South Africa, had called
for a rerun after the violence.
"I followed the political situation here with great anxiety and I am very
happy with the outcome and I realise that Ivory Coast is making an effort to
revive democracy and establish good relations with everyone," Josselin
said. The French minister later met with Ouattara, who announced he
would
be standing in the legislative elections.
Ouattara said he would be standing as a candidate for his home region,
Kong, in the north of the country. He said he would be replacing his elder
brother, who has been an MP in Kong in the last four parliaments.
Ouattara was barred from running in last month's poll under the terms of
a
new constitution brought in by Guei. A Supreme Court ruling on the case said
he was partly Burkinabe or had used Burkinabe nationality to further his
career.
Josselin was also to meet with PDCI acting president Laurent Dona Fologo.
The French minister is due to leave Ivory Coast late Tuesday.
omj/crl/kc/sas
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