Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on Côte d'Ivoire

The Secretary-General welcomes the agreement on the timeframe and modalities for the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process in Cote d'Ivoire, as well as a plan for the restructuring of the armed forces, signed by the Chiefs of Staff of the Ivorian National Armed Forces (FANCI) and the Forces Nouvelles (FN) on 14 May 2005, under the auspices of the National Commission for Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration.

The Secretary-General urges the parties to implement their respective commitments in close cooperation with the United Nations and in accordance with the agreed timetable. The Secretary-General also calls on the Ivorian parties to ensure expeditious implementation of the other aspects of the Pretoria Agreement.