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March, 10, 2000: Cote d'Ivoire Chief of Staff Pledges Adherence to Election Timetables

Ambassador Charles Gomis, Director of the Cabinet of Cote d'Ivoire's Interim President General Robert Guei, outlined his administration's plans for a return to civilian rule in the Cote d'Ivoire later in 2000. Speaking at a breakfast meetings program, the former Ambassador to the United States and advisor to the President of the African Development Bank told CCA members that neither the Guei government nor the forthcoming elections presage any change for the business community.

Gomis described the mandate of the Guei government as three fold - to renew the authority of the state, renew the constitution and organize new elections. Gomis described the December 24 coup which ousted Henrie Konan Bedie as unplanned, and emphasized that Guei's emergence at the head of the interim government was due to his demonstrated commitment to constitutional norms at the time of the death of former President Houpbuet.

Ambassador Gomis assured his audience that, "good governance is the aim of the transitional government and is a boon to commerce and business." He noted that reduced corruption had already led to a surge in customs receipts.

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