Davis emphasizes fact-finding nature of role: "I have not been asked by the Ivorian government to try to prove... who is right or who is wrong."
Lanny J. Davis and Associates LLC, Washington DC, law firm with expertise in law, media, and public affairs, has been retained by the Government of the Ivory Coast to advise it on various options for peacefully resolving the crisis surrounding the November 28, 2010 presidential election in a spirit of reconciliation and transparency, recognizing the concerns of the international community, and consistent with the Ivory Coast's constitution and law.
The firm and its principal, Lanny J. Davis, will assist the government in working with the U.S. Government and the world community to seek a solution grounded in those principals, especially a renunciation of violence by all parties in the country as soon as possible.
"I have advised the government to be fully transparent in all respects," said Davis. "I have emphasized the necessity of disclosing all evidence and assertions upon which the Constitutional Council, the supreme judicial authority charged with determining the outcome of elections under the Ivorian Constitution, determined on December 3 that Laurent Gbagbo was the winner of the election."
"I have not been asked by the Ivorian government to try to prove to the world community who won the election in the Ivory Coast, or who is right or who is wrong. I urge the international community to avoid a rush to judgment until all the facts regarding the November 28 election are fairly evaluated – a position that offers the best chance to avoid bloodshed and to achieve peace and stability, and one that I have taken in providing crisis management advice to clients all my professional career," Davis said.
The firm has recommended to the Ivory Coast government that in order to resolve this crisis peacefully and in a spirit of reconciliation, it should, out of respect for the international community, seek the assistance of an outside mediator of acknowledged integrity and objectivity, such as former South African President Mbeki, who successfully mediated the accords that helped resolve violence in the Ivory Coast in 2005 or some other similar world leader who is acceptable to all parties.
Lanny J. Davis & Associates is prepared to assist the government's outreach to the international community, to encourage a solution on the basis of these recommendations, and to counsel complete transparency, and a commitment to non-violence and reconciliation, so that this crisis can be resolved without any further violence or instability.
For further information, including Lanny Davis's full statement and the Ivory Coast Government factsheet on the election controversy, see: http://www.ivorycoastelection.com
This material is distributed by Lanny J. Davis & Associates LLC on behalf of the Government of Cote d'Ivoire.Additional information is available at the U.S. Department of Justice.
Contacts:
Lanny J. Davis & Associates, LLC
Maddie Melendez,
202-756-8293