ting Special Representative of UN Secretary-General for Cote d'Ivoire , Arnauld Akodjenou told a press conference at UNOCI HQ in Abidjan yesterday that the situation in the country was calm throughout the week. He said UNOCI Force conducted 1700 land and air patrols during the week in support of the Ivorian Army in order to ensure the security of the civilian population. Mr. Akodjenou confirmed that UNOCI Force carried out an exercise in Duekoue to simulate a helicopter crash and how to respond to such an emergency as a prelude to a bigger exercise scheduled for 25 June in collaboration with the local authorities.



L'Inter: UNOCI Spokesperson, Sylvie Van Den Wildenberg has warned the authors of certain fraudulent sms messages carrying the signature of UNOCI Info that they would face the wrath of the law. She told the UNOCI weekly news conference yesterday that the Mission had ordered an investigation into the origin of these rumours aimed at creating fear among the population.



Le Jour Plus: The government has announced that it will track down the author of false sms messages that were circulated on Tuesday night and Wednesday to create fear among the population of Abidjan. The government spokesman said the culprit will face the heavy arm of the law.



Sud: Faced with the deviant behaviour of certain members of the Armed Forces FRCI which include acts of indiscipline such as extortion and racketeering,President Alassane Ouattara has set up a group to work out a new code of ethics and professional conduct for the Armed Forces. A seminar to validate the new code was opened yesterday by the Minister-Delegate for Defence who said the objective was to reinforce the republican spirit of the FRCI.



Le Jour Plus, Fraternite Matin: Government Spokesman Bruno Kone has announced that land owners have been given an additional period of 10 years to regularise their ownership. Thereafter, he said, all lands considered as 'no man's land' would be appropriated by the state.