Abidjan, 6 January 2010... The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Y. J. Choi, held discussions on Wednesday with the Under-Secretary-General and head of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), Adama Dieng. The meeting with held at the headquarters of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI).

At the end of the encounter, Mr. Dieng said that his courtesy call on the head of UNOCI was to encourage him in his mission, which was not easy but which he was carrying out with success.

The work being done by the Special Representative should be welcomed by all Ivorians and Africans because it contributes to the reinforcement of peace and unity, the consolidation of democracy and respect for human rights and human dignity, said the head of ICTR.

Mr. Dieng also expressed the hope that Côte d'Ivoire "will reconcile with itself and together all its children will rebuild the country so that it can once again take its place as a leader" in West Africa. "This is possible if everyone learns ... to have as their sole focus the defence of the interest of the Ivorian people," he added.

Mr. Dieng, who is on a four-day official mission in Côte d'Ivoire, will take part in a ceremony to mark the start of courses at the Human Rights Institute of Atlantic University, where he will give an augural lesson on 7 January 2010.