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Cablegate: Cote D'ivoire: Update On Air Traffic Controllers',

VZCZCXRO4352
OO RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHAB #1088 2711403
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 281403Z SEP 06 ZDS
FM AMEMBASSY ABIDJAN
TO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEANHA/FAA HQ WASHDC IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS ABIDJAN 001088

SIPDIS

C O R R E C T E D COPY -- ADDRESSEE

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR ELAB PREL ASEC IV ECON
SUBJECT: COTE D'IVOIRE: UPDATE ON AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS',
BANKING SECTOR STRIKES

REF: A. ABIDJAN 1083

B. ABIDJAN 1084

1. Air Traffic Controllers: As of 1500 GMT September 27th,
the strike of the 27 Ivorian employees of the Agency for
Aeronautical Security in Africa (ASECNA), which operates air
traffic control at Abidjan's airport, was suspended for one
month, allowing a full resumption of both domestic and
international flights. According to local press reports, the
local employees of ASECNA accepted a "personal" commitment by
President Gbagbo to take their grievances to the ASECNA board
of governors. The Ivorian controllers are demanding a pay
increase of 2 million CFA per month (approximately $3,877, a
considerable sum here) as well as improvements to air traffic
equipment. New Transport Minister Abdel Aziz Thiam, a
technocratic former director of Cote d'Ivoire's railroad
network (who was brought in to replace the former Minister
who has been implicated in the ongoing toxic waste scandal),
decried the "illegal" nature of the strike. He also
expressed exasperation that the demands were presented to the
Ivorian government and not ASECNA directly.

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2. Bank Employees: As of 1200 GMT September 28th, this
strike continues, despite attempts by President Gbagbo
personally to bring it to resolution. In a widely reported
snub, the banking workers' union failed to show up to a
meeting with the President scheduled for 1600 GMT, September
27th. Government authorities have stated publicly that the
strike is illegal, due to the union's failure to provide six
days notice as well as its failure to respect the formal
negotiating period. However, banking company executives have
not yet threatened to fire striking employees.

3. Customs Agents Threatening: Customs agents have renewed
their threats to shut down the country's ports in protest
over the continued detention of three of their members in
connection with the toxic waste dumping scandal. According
to press reports, that action would begin on October 2nd.
Valle

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