Tuesday, April 5, 2011

The EU fears that Europe will become a target in Ivory Coast

Brussels .- The European Union on Monday acknowledged its concern for the safety of European citizens who are in Ivory Coast and especially the possibility that "foreign nationals being targeted" in the midst of the fighting that has been intensified between supporters of President-elect, Alassane Ouattara, and outgoing president, Laurent Gbagbo, which refuses to recognize the victory of his opponent.

"We are very concerned about the safety of all citizens of the European Union", European diplomatic sources have acknowledged the fact that there "is a clear risk" that "foreign nationals being targeted" and urged Europeans to to leave the country "flights comercales." France, which has 13,000 nationals in Ivory Coast, is "coordinating" with the other Member States "contingency plans" in case it is necessary to begin to evacuate European citizens in a "massive", according to European diplomatic sources have explained that have been encrypted in "several hundred" more Europeans of other nationalities in the African country, including some 150 Spanish.

The EU admits that the situation on the ground "is very confusing," although it is "probable" that the situation will improve in the short term in Abidjan. "It is not safe to go out, European diplomatic sources have admitted. The EU recognizes that there have been "massacres" in the west of the country but it was premature to attribute a majority of civilian deaths to the side of President-elect Ouattara and supports the decision of the UN Human Rights to open an investigation into the facts on the ground.

"They have committed human rights abuses and killings, but it is too early to say by how much," acknowledged the sources, who have defended "bring to justice anyone responsible" for the abuses, questioned whether the EU sources retaliate against Ouattara if it is discovered that is responsible for the deaths of civilians on the other side.

In any case, sources have asked "not to exaggerate the level of control in either of the two sides" of the militia groups that claim to support one side or another. "No particular alliances, sources insist. The EU is "very concerned" about "the escalation of violence" in recent weeks following the progress "very fast" Ouattara forces loyal to a country where they have died, according to various sources, "between 300 and 1,000" people and insists that the first priority is to stop the fighting "as soon as possible." Humanitarian Aid Commissioner, Georgieva, has deplored the escalating violence and acknowledged its "dismay" at reports of "ethnic massacres and human persecution" between both sides and called again to ensure access for humanitarian aid on the ground, after admitting his concern about the potential negative ramifications in neighboring Liberia, where he believes the number of refugees fleeing violence in Ivory Coast.

The Twenty approved in December to freeze the financial assets and prohibit the entry into Europe Gbagbo and 18 others in response to post-election crackdown, which has been extended list in recent months on several occasions. A total of 96 people linked to the Gbagbo regime and 13 entities are subject to EU sanctions today.

European diplomatic sources have explained that the sanctions against the regime remain in force "until President Ouattara give us a clear signal that he wants to raise them."

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