For information only - not an official document.
  UNIS/SG/2740
      6 December 2000
 UN Decides to Suspend Electoral Technical Assistance in Cote d’Ivoire;
Regular Activities of UN Agencies and Programmes to Continue
 

 NEW YORK, 5 December (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued today by the Office of the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

 Because of the recent decision of the Ivoirian Supreme Court and the subsequent events on the ground, the United Nations is of the view that the conditions are no longer conducive for the involvement of the United Nations in the forthcoming legislative elections in Côte d’Ivoire.

 The United Nations has therefore decided that it will suspend its electoral technical assistance and withdraw its offer to coordinate the activities of international observers.  The regular activities of United Nations agencies and programmes will continue in Côte d’Ivoire.

 The United Nations calls on all parties to shun violence and favour dialogue so that calm will prevail in Côte d’Ivoire.

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