*EPF202 11/09/2004
White House Report, November 9: Cote d'Ivoire, Guest Workers, France
(Cote d'Ivoire violence condemned, Guest Worker Program affirmed, Chirac congratulations) (420)

U.S. STRONGLY CONDEMNS COTE D'IVOIRE VIOLENCE

The Bush administration called upon Cote d'Ivoire's President Laurent Gbagbo to stop government violence against Ivorian citizens and peacekeepers assigned to the United Nations operations in the country.

Speaking at the November 9 White House briefing, Press Secretary Scott McClellan said the United States strongly condemns the airstrikes that were carried out by the Ivorian military.

According to press reports, at least 30 people have been killed in four days of violent anti-French demonstrations in Abidjan. A November 7 Ivorian government airstrike on a French base in the central town of Bouake killed nine French troops, an American aid worker, and wounded 38 others.

McClellan welcomed efforts by South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki to help resolve the crisis peacefully. However, he added that if Mbeki's discussions prove unsuccessful, "then the (U.N.) Security Council may consider additional action."

BUSH COMMITTED TO TEMPORARY GUEST WORKER PROGRAM

President Bush remains committed to the Temporary Guest Worker Program, which would allow an estimated six million undocumented workers in the United States to gain legal status.

Press Secretary McClellan said the president believes the program "will help meet an economic need as well as provide a more humane treatment of those workers who are coming into the United States."

Bush views the measure as a priority, McClellan said earlier, and he remains in contact with members of Congress and "will try to bring people together to get it passed."

"[T]his is a program that will match willing workers with willing employers, it will promote compassion for workers who right now have no protection, and it will protect the homeland by helping to control our borders better," McClellan said.

The press secretary said the program also provides incentives for temporary workers to eventually return to their country of origin.

CHIRAC MAKES CONGRATULATORY CALL TO BUSH

Earlier in the day, French President Jacques Chirac telephoned President Bush to congratulate him upon his re-election. Press Secretary McClellan said Bush spoke with the French leader about "the importance of working together on common challenges."

"[Bush] talked about how he would continue to reach out to our European friends and allies so that we can work together on our shared priorities," he said.

McClellan also said German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder had called to express his congratulations while Bush was at Camp David the weekend of November 6.

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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