Highlights: Cote d'Ivoire Press Editorials, Commentaries 22 Sep 03 Monday, September 22, 2003 Journal Code: 9023 Language: ENGLISH Record Type: FULLTEXT Document Type: Daily Report; News Word Count: 846 The following is a selection of editorials and commentaries from the Cote d'Ivoire press on 22 September. New Forces, Ivorian Government Must Transcend Partisan Interests Soir Info carries an editorial by Amos Beonaho on pages 1 and 2 that reads: "Transcending Partisan Interests." The editorial recalls New Forces Secretary General Guillaume Soro's statement inviting President Gbagbo to resign if he is tired of governing the country. It further explains that the fact that Soro and Gbagbo are trading accusations and abuses does not augur well for the country as Cote d'Ivoire commemorates the first year anniversary of the Ivorian crisis. "This back and forth game of the political leaders has made us move round in circles for several months," says the editorial. It adds: "Patriotic Movement of Cote d'Ivoire Secretary General Soro for whom the struggle is not over is still in the logic of everything or nothing." The editorial warns that if one is not careful, "the second anniversary of 19 September will be commemorated in an ambiguous situation of neither peace nor war." It says "The celebration of 19 September must not be an occasion to further show our divisions and mutual rancor . . . We believe the time for peace has come, and that everybody must embrace this peace prospect," the editorial concludes. Time to Sign Linas-Marcoussis II Le Jour carries a commentary by Vicky Delore on page 2 that reads: "Need for Linas-Marcoussis II." It says if one is not careful, the recent statements on the current political situation could plunge the country into a "spiral of violence." Elaborating on this issue, the commentary says all sides "tend to agree that the national reconciliation process is not functioning properly." It says one could deduce that the rebels and the government are showing "signs of weariness" as far as the crisis is concerned. It quotes Louis Andre Dakoury-Tabley of the New Forces as saying: "In the south as well as in the north of the country, some people want the situation to continue . . . France must show some courage so that everyone takes up his responsibilities. If the peace is not just, other rebels might take up arms sooner or later in Cote d'Ivoire." The commentator concludes: "A year after the signing of the Linas-Marcoussis accord meant to restore peace in Cote d'Ivoire, the accord has come a long way. Its strengths and weaknesses have been identified. Today, it is expedient to reexamine this 'road map' in order to beef it up with all the necessary guarantees for the pacification of Cote d'Ivoire. There is thus the need for Linas-Marcoussis II." Arms Stockpiling Matter of Sovereignty Fraternite Matin carries a commentary on page 2 by Jean-Baptiste Akrou reading: "Integration and Sovereignty." The commentary says France preferred French sovereignty to EU integration because it decided to ignore calls to comply with the "stability pact" in regard to its economic policy. It explains that French President Chirac and German Chancellor Shroeder last week jointly reiterated their determination to protect European industries, of which both countries are the leaders. The commentary asks a rhetorical question: "What a lesson for us?" adding, "Cote d'Ivoire, which is a leading country in the West African Economic and Monetary Union, and the locomotive of ECOWAS, is now subject to unjust criticisms by countries that do not have first-hand information on its constraints and realities." In addition, it says: "Unfortunately, in the name of sovereignty, Cote d'Ivoire, though adhering to the ideals of solidarity and integration, cannot deny itself its sovereignty in the name of complying to international norms." It concludes: "The recurrent issue of Cote d'Ivoire's excessive stockpiling of weapons is, of course, a matter of the country's sovereignty and interest. This issue sometimes takes the form of nerve-racking blackmail." Weariness of Political Leaders Could Lead to Trouble L'Inter carries an editorial on page 1 and 2 by Raymond N'cho that says: "Weariness . . . Is Building Up." The editorial begins with the following words: "What must be done to salvage the Linas-Marcoussis accord that was signed on 24 January 2003 and upgraded later on with the Kleber and Accra II accords?" The editorial says: "The first problem Ivorian politicians have to contend with is the lack of trust among them," adding, "the lack of goodwill of some people on one hand, and very bad politicking on the other, do not allow for significant progress in national reconciliation." "Let us say that the worst enemy of the peace process in Cote d'Ivoire is weariness, which could turn out to be a Pandora's box," concludes the editorial.