France takes note of the
decision to hold elections on 31 October 2010

L'Intelligent d'Abidjan  –
Responding
to a question from a journalist from the AFP on the statement by Prime Minister
Guillaume Soro regarding the Ivorian government's decision to hold the first
tour of the presidential election in Côte d'Ivoire on 31 October 2010, Christine
Fages of the Quai d'Orsay said that France takes note and welcomes the decision
which re-launches the electoral process.  

Statement by the United
States' Secretary of State, Mrs. Hillary Clinton

L'Expression –
On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I extend my
congratulations to the Ivorian people for the celebration of the fiftieth
anniversary of your independence on 7 August 2010. (...) The United States
supports the aspiration of Ivorian people to reach a renewed democracy and we
share your eagerness to hold elections to end the political impasse and have
lasting peace. Political stability and respect of law are the indispensable
components for a prosperous and vital future. (...) May this year, be the
beginning of a new era of peace and prosperity in Côte d'Ivoire.

Laurent Gbagbo regarding
crisis-resolution: "Other people are looking for elections; we are looking for
peace"

L'Intelligent d'Abidjan  –
On the occasion of the military parade, the Head of State gave clarification
regarding the coming electoral process. In this regard, President Gbagbo
congratulated the Prime Minister and the IEC Chairman who, according to him,
"worked like slaves because we wanted to have a clear idea of the electoral
horizon before 7 August 2010". He however seized the opportunity to express his
rage: "I realize after the decision of the date that we have been deceived on
several issues; on the good. We cannot say that elections will be held this day,
we sign a decree and when the scheduled day draws near, we are not able to say
that we are not ready.
I am angry.
I am not happy". He was
denouncing the several decrees that the former IEC made him sign for the
presidential election and which were never implemented. However the Head of
State said to diplomats that election was a way to complete the peace process
and added: "I would like to tell our friends that on this issue, no one is more
concerned than Ivorians themselves. Some people behave as if they were more
interested in Ivorian elections than us. Elections in Côte d'Ivoire, first of
all, resolve our problems. We have never experienced delay in elections. If this
time we are going through a delay, it means that there is a problem! You are
looking for elections whereas we are looking for peace". These are two different
things. (...) The Head of State said that all the arrangements are being made so
that the next presidential election takes place in a peaceful climate. Upgrading
the FDS and the FAFN is part of the measures to have serene elections, he said
on the issue. To the soldiers, the President of the Republic said that it was in
their interest to guard the barracks since during the crisis, people were
visiting the barracks by night to encourage revolt. "Officers are around: if I
fall they also fall. Some people think that a coup is easy! It is like a
building with several pillars. If you make it fall, your pillars will fall too",
said Laurent Gbagbo.

Divo/Scandal at
the IEC's office: the FPI is planning to remove many petitioners from the list.

Le Nouveau Réveil  –
While on Saturday,
August 7, Ivorians were celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of Côte d'Ivoire, a
bailiff was asked by Mayor Assé
Badja Camille, the Campaign manager of President Laurent Gbagbo of
Divo, to give to the local Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) a large list
of people to be removed from the official electoral list. What was very
intriguing was that according to members of the IEC, the staff of the city Hall
and the sub-prefecture, the modus operandi was not respected. The action of the
mayor raises many questions: why did the bailiff wait until the last minute to
bring about this list of so-called fraudsters? Why the appeal forms were not
duly filed? Why did the members of the FPI make their claim on Sunday, August 8
at 2:00 pm while the appeal is closing at 3:00 pm? One could say without any
doubt, the next few days will be very explosive again in Divo.

On his way to
the United States, Affi N'Guessan was prevented from boarding a flight at Paris
Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport / the protest of Ivorian government.

L'Inter  –

On Friday, August 6, on his way to a family visit in Houston, in
the United States, Pascal Affi N'Guessan former Prime Minister of the Republic
of Cote d'Ivoire was prevented from boarding a flight of Air France company that
provided the link between Paris and Houston. (...)
Mr. Pascal Affi N'Guessan was compelled to come back to Côte d'Ivoire, without
making his trip to Houston that was of paramount importance for him and his
family. The Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and the Integration has summoned on Saturday, August 7, 2010,
the Ambassador of the United States of America in Cote d'Ivoire to protest
against the inexplicable and humiliating treatment inflicted on an important
Ivorian personality, by the American services.
For his part, the Ambassador of Côte d'Ivoire in the United States has done the
same with the U.S. State Department on Friday August 6, 2010. In response to our
protest, the U.S. Government has expressed its deep regret and apologized to the
Ivorian Government, promising to take the necessary measures in order to repair
the damage caused to the former Prime Minister of Côte d'Ivoire, by
granting a new visa.