No automatic impunity for toppled Ivory Coast dictator
   by Stephane Orjollet

   ABIDJAN, Nov 21 (AFP) - Ivory Coast's ousted military ruler Robert Guei
may
face trial for the killing of dozens of protesters by his presidential guard
despite a public reconciliation with new President Laurent Gbagbo, the
defence
minister has said.
   "This meeting did not bring with it impunity. There are a number of cases
being studied that concern General Guei. It is up to the judiciary to do its
job," Defence Minister Moise Lida Kouassi told journalists late Monday.
   Around 50 people were killed October 24 and 25 when Guei's presidential
guard opened fire on those demonstrating against his attempt to grab victory
in the October 22 presidential election when it became clear Gbagbo was
winning.
   Guei went into hiding and did not reappear until October 13 in the
capital
Yamoussoukro, when he acknowledged Gbagbo's election victory in a cordial
public encounter.
   "This was a controversial meeting. Its aim was not to pardon General Guei
for all that had happened, but to resolve some internal security problems,"
the defence minister said.
   Justice Minister Siene Oulai said at the same press conference: "It will
be
a matter for the judicial authorities to decide who can and cannot be
tried."
   He claimed that a constitutional clause granting immunity from
prosecution
for former members of the junta applied only to the December 1999 coup that
brought Guei to power.
   The issue of Guei's whereabouts and continued influence on the military
was brought up at the press conference.
   "We know exactly where General Guei is and we know the nature of the
escort
which he is allowed," the defence minister said, adding that "adequate
measures" would be taken if the former junta leader tried to reinforce this
guard.
   He said that some 500 former soldiers recruited in July to reinforce the
presidential guard -- dubbed the "Red Brigade" -- were now assembled and
disarmed at a military base in Abidjan.
   Lida Kouassi said the head of this guard, Lieutenant Laurent Boka Yapi,
widely rumoured to be dead, is alive.
   "We have located him, permit me not to say any more," he said.
   "In any case, he will be brought to justice and will answer for his
actions," Lida Kouassi said, charging that Boka Yapi had been linked to
"several murders and executions".
   The minister told journalists that the members of the Red Brigade were
not
recorded anywhere at the defence ministry and were attached directly to the
presidency.
   "They reported only to Boka Yapi and constituted a fully fledged
militia,"
the minister said.
   He said that after undergoing tests, some these men could be integrated
into the army and that they would have to find a solution for the others.
   As well as the deaths caused by the Red Brigade, violence between Gbagbo
supporters aided by security forces and supporters of opposition leader
Alassane Ouattara left 171 people dead according to official figures.
   The justice and defence ministers reaffirmed the government's intention
to
see the judiciary fully investigate the violence.
   so/crl/gd

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