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Annan calls for long-term peacekeeping strategies for troubled Côte d'Ivoire

Annan calls for long-term peacekeeping strategies for troubled Côte d'Ivoire

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Secretary-General Kofi Annan has called on the Security Council and West African regional leaders to propose new long-term strategies for Côte d'Ivoire, saying that last month's crisis highlighted the limitations of the United Nations peacekeeping mission there.

The attacks by the Government's military in early November on dissident northern forces spotlighted the responsibilities of the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) for the protection of civilians, Mr. Annan says in his third report to the Security Council on the country.

"At the same time, the crisis has highlighted the limitations of the mission when faced by massive unrest and attacks against certain groups of civilians that are clearly orchestrated, organized and undertaken in a climate of impunity," he says.

"In this regard, I would invite the Security Council and regional leaders to consider long-term strategies that could be employed in this pivotal West African country, including by the United Nations."

Ivorian leaders, especially President Laurent Gbagbo, should "be reminded of their obligations and personal responsibility for ensuring the security of civilians and the creation of a climate conducive to the resumption of a meaningful dialogue."

Mr. Annan's report comes out against the background of a Security Council open debate on protecting civilians during armed conflicts worldwide, especially safeguarding civilian access to such humanitarian assistance as food, health care and education.

It has also been distributed one day before binding one-year sanctions by the Security Council could come into effect against Ivorian leaders violating the major peace agreements.

The sanctions include travel bans on and the freezing of assets of those who "constitute a threat to the peace and national reconciliation process in Côte d'Ivoire, in particular those who block the implementation of the Linas-Marcoussis and Accra III Agreements."

In Côte d'Ivoire the national armed forces, FANCI, violated international humanitarian law by impeding the delivery of aid to the north and that activity had to stop, along with the cuts in electricity and water supplies to the north "for which those responsible are accountable," Mr. Annan's report says.

As the Security Council has demanded, it is vital that "the broadcasts on State and privately operated radio and television, which have been used to incite hatred, intolerance and violence, are immediately and completely stopped," he says.

In Abidjan, the country's economic centre, "young patriots" have maintained checkpoints around the national radio and television stations, but foreign stations have resumed broadcasting and UNOCI-FM radio is providing impartial information. A printing company and several major newspaper offices that were attacked have remained closed.

Meanwhile, UNOCI forces have reached 5,995 troops out of 6,240 authorized military personnel, as well as 216 civilian police. Among its emergency requirements are an extra infantry battalion and a helicopter unit, the report says.