U.S. Ambassador Phillip Carter, in Washington, D.C. for the Chiefs of Mission conference, will brief journalists on-the-record, on camera on the current situation in Cote d’Ivoire on Friday, February 4, at 12:30 p.m. in the Press Briefing Room at the U.S. Department of State.

At present, former President Gbagbo has been unwilling to relinquish power or to acknowledge the results of the November 28 run-off election, which Alassane Ouattara won with 54 percent of the vote.

This event will be open to credentialed members of the media.

Press should use the 23rd Street entrance of the Department of State. Media representatives may attend this event upon presentation of one of the following: (1) a U.S. Government-issued identification card (Department of State, White House, Congress, Department of Defense or Foreign Press Center), (2) a media-issued photo identification card, or (3) a letter from their employer on letterhead verifying their employment as a journalist, accompanied by an official photo identification card (driver's license, passport).

PRESS CONTACTS:

Department of State
Bureau of African Affairs
Hilary Renner
(202) 647-0759

Department of State
Office of Press Relations
(202) 647-2492