Côte D'ivoire: Coup

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asked Her Majesty's Government:What representations they have made to the new Government of the Côte d'Ivoire following the

coup headed by General Robert Guei on 24 December 1999. [HL672]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office

(Baroness Scotland of Asthal)

My right honourable friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Peter Hain, strongly condemned the coup on 24 December, and called on all parties to work for a peaceful and rapid restoration of democratic constitutional rule.We also fully backed the EU declaration which condemned the military

coup and emphasised that future EU co-operation depends on a rapid restoration of democratic rule.

Our Ambassador in Abidjan has made representations to General Guei, and to the Minister for Planning and Development, Seydou Diarra, the Minister of Finance, N'Golo Coulibaly, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Christophe M'Bou, urging respect for human rights and for a timetable for an early return to democracy. On 25 January, General Geui announced that general elections would be completed by 31 October, a move which we have welcomed.

Volume 609: debated on Tuesday 1 February 2000