SG/SM/8657
AFR/597
8 April 2003
Secretary-General Welcomes Côte d'Ivoire Agreement on Government of Reconciliation as "Major Progress Towards Peace"
NEW YORK, 7 April (UN Headquarters) -- Following is the message of Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the agreement establishing a government of reconciliation in Côte d'Ivoire, delivered on his behalf by his Special Representative, General Albert Tévoedjré, in Yamoussoukro on 3 April:
It was with profound satisfaction that the Secretary-General learned of the agreement on establishing a government of reconciliation in Côte d'Ivoire. He welcomes this major progress towards peace and strongly urges you to seize this opportunity to make the process irreversible.
The Secretary-General sincerely congratulates all those involved, who have spared no effort in helping to settle the crisis in Côte d'Ivoire: President Gbagbo and the Ivorian parties, the ECOWAS heads of State, particularly President Kufuor, the French Government and all the other partners in the Follow-up Committee.
The Secretary-General and the entire United Nations system undertake to assist you in your efforts to return your country to its enviable position as a haven of peace and an economic engine of the subregion.
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