By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, February 4 -- As the UN Security Council agreed on elements to the press deferring to the African Union's High Level Panel on Cote d'Ivoire, Alassane Ouattara's ambassador Yousoufou Bamba told Inner City Press that the AU outcoming “wasn't quite progress.”
Speaking exclusively to Inner City Press on the steps outside the Council chamber, Bamba said “one month is too long,” referring to the time given to the AU Panel. “It gives time to Gbagbo,” Bamba said.
Inner City Press asked about the inclusion by the AU on its panel of Idriss Deby of Chad. “Too far,” Bamba replied. He might have said the same of South Africa, which proposed the Council press statement.
In light of reports of water and electricity cut off to Abobo and other Ouattara strong holds, Inner City Press asked Bamba if he thought Gbagbo was behind them. Yes, he said, “and also to the North, every night. Doing so, let us say, he is losing his last support.”
UN's Ban Ki-moon and Bamba at swear-in, (c) MRLee
UN envoy Choi Young-jin had been billed for an on camera stakeout, but did not do it. Several UN correspondents complained. Inner City Press rushed back from the UN noon briefing to find Mr. Choi speaking off camera to three reporters. While we will aim to have more on that, Inner City Press asked about the two journalists arrested after flying with the UN from Bouake to Abidjan.
Choi said they had landed and were in a taxi when arrested. Why was the UN flying them? Choi said the UN has been flying people for Gbagbo and Ouattara for some time. And still for Gbagbo? “If he asks,” said Choi.
Choi would not speak of the helicopters voted on by the Council two weeks ago, of which Inner City Press reported this morning that Ukraine's parliament has now approved. Bamba confirmed this. (The Brazilian President of the Council said it had not come up, when Inner City Press asked after the press statement.)
Of Choi, Bamba said he called the Prime Minister at 2 am while patrolling Abobo. Others say there will be a big Korean reception in New York, including Choi, when Ban Ki-moon returns. We'll see.
