Cote d'Ivoire hails China's contribution to its peace process

The Ambassador of Cote d'Ivoire in Beijing, Coffie Alain Nicaise, on Thursday hailed China's contribution to the peace process in his country.

Nicaise told a press briefing that China staunchly supported the UN Security Council resolution 1721 adopted in November 2006.

Civil war erupted in Cote d'Ivoire in September 2002 after a failed coup staged by a group of soldiers to oust President Gbagbo.

Under Security Council resolution 1721, the transitional period in Cote d'Ivoire will end on Oct. 31, 2007 when a presidential election acceptable to all parties will be held.

"China has made a real contribution to the peace process in Cote d'Ivoire over the past few weeks," the ambassador said.

UN and French peacekeeping troops in Cote d'Ivoire started a phased pullout from April 18.

About 7,800 UN troops and a 3,500-member French contingent, known as Licorne (Unicom) were deployed to oversee a bumpy peace process in a country that has been divided into two since the coup attempt.

The withdrawal complied with a peace agreement signed by Gbagbo and Guillaume Soro, leader of the rebel New Forces on March 4. Soro was appointed prime minister on March 29.

The new government will give Chinese businesses more opportunities to develop in Cote d'Ivoire, the ambassador said.

He said a series of business promotion events will be held in Beijing and Guangzhou in June.

About 100 businessmen and officials from Cote d'Ivoire will attend these events. A number of Chinese companies, ranging from high-tech to autos, have registered for the events.

Source: Xinhua