SC/8648
24 February 2006
Security Council Presidential Statement Endorses Latest Communiqué of International Group Overseeing Côte d'Ivoire Peace Process
NEW YORK, 23 February (UN Headquarters) -- The Security Council this morning reiterated its full support for the International Working Group (IWG) on Côte d'Ivoire, and endorsed its fourth communiqué.
In a statement read by Council President John Bolton (United States), the Council commended Prime Minister Charles Konan Banny for his efforts to implement the roadmap established by the Working Group, in accordance with Council resolution 1633 (2005), and welcomed the cooperation between Côte d'Ivoire's Prime Minister and President. (For more information on resolution 1633, see Press Release SC/8532 of 21 October 2005.)
Further, the Council urged the Ivorian State authorities to facilitate, notably in the west, the return of humanitarian agencies and organizations. It also underscored the imperative to guarantee the independence and neutrality of Radio Television Ivoirienne (RTI).
The meeting started at 10:13 and was adjourned at 10:16 a.m.
The full text of the presidential statement (S/PRST/2006/9) reads as follows:
"The Security Council reiterates its full support for the International Working Group (IWG) and endorses its fourth final communiqué. It commends Prime Minister, Charles Konan Banny, for his efforts to implement the roadmap established by the IWG in accordance with resolution 1633 (2005). The Security Council reiterates its full support for him. It also welcomes the cooperation between the Prime Minister and the President.
"The Security Council also endorses the arbitration by the High Representative for Elections according to which the election of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) Bureau is in compliance with the Pretoria Agreement. It urges the Ivorian parties to ensure the effective functioning of the IEC as soon as possible.
"The Security Council also underscores the imperative to guarantee the independence and neutrality of Radio Television Ivoirienne (RTI).
"The Security Council urges the Ivorian State authorities to facilitate, notably in the West, the return of humanitarian agencies and organizations.
"The Security Council will review at the beginning of March the progress made in the implementation of resolution 1633 (2005) and the decisions of the IWG. It will pay special attention to the functioning of the IEC, to the steps taken in order to guarantee unhindered and equitable access to RTI, and to the launch of disarmament operations and the identification process."
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