MOSCOW. Sept 24 (Interfax-AVN) - Russia is ready to send up to 40 military observers to Cote d'Ivoire within the framework of the ongoing peacekeeping operation in the country, a source in the executive authorities told Interfax-Military News Agency on Wednesday.
"Moscow is ready to send up to 40 Russian servicemen to Cote d'Ivoire in the capacity of liaison officers, military observers, and staff officers," he said.
The source said that the timeframe for sending Russian servicemen to Cote d'Ivoire and their strength were to be defined by the UN, under the auspices of which the peacekeeping operation was conducted. "All expenditures, pertaining to sending Russian servicemen to the peacekeeping mission in Cote d'Ivoire, will be shouldered by the UN," he said.
In September 2002 rebels rose against Cote d'Ivoire President Laurent Gbagbo. However, starting from March 2003 the situation stabilized: both belligerent sides decided to cease fire, while certain rebel leaders were even included in the government.
However, the situation has recently deteriorated, after the president appointed new defense and security ministers.
On Tuesday, Cote d'Ivoire's rebels announced they intended to leave the national coalition government and renege on the disarmament program.
In compliance with its UN Security Council status, Russia actively participated in peacekeeping operations in Africa. Russian observers, representative, and contingents (accounting for a total of about 200 servicemen, including the helicopter unit personnel, and Internal Ministry officials) participate in all UN peacekeeping operations in Africa, namely in Congo, Western Sahara, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, and Eritrea.