by Caspar Leighton ABIDJAN, Nov 14 (AFP) - French Development Aid Minister Charles Josselin said here Tuesday he believed forthcoming legislative elections in Ivory Coast would be a democratic success that would allow France to convince its partners to start resending aid. Josselin's visit was the first of a high-ranking Western official to Ivory Coast after controversial presidential elections in October, which saw military leader General Robert Guei ousted and veteran politician Laurent Gbagbo brought in as president. Speaking after a meeting with Gbagbo, Josselin said he was "pleased to hear the president underlined the importance he is giving to the legislative elections." "These elections must allow all political sensibilities to express themselves. I have no doubt that the elections will be a success from a democratic point of view," he added. Most candidates were excluded from the October 22 poll, including those from the former ruling Democratic Party (PDCI) and the opposition Rally of Republicans (RDR). Between them the two parties can claim three-quarters of the electorate. The poll led to scenes of violence in which at least 171 people were killed, first in a mass uprising to oust Guei and then in political and ethnic clashes between Gbagbo supporters and supporters of former prime minister and RDR leader Alassane Ouattara, who had been barred from running. Josselin said that if the December 10 elections were a democratic success he was convinced France, the former colonial power, would be able to persuade its partners, notably the European Union, to turn the aid tap back on again. France and the EU -- which it currently presides -- suspended budgetary aid to Ivory Coast after the December 24 military coup that brought Guei to power. The new government could, Josselin said, "count on the support of France, but also that of the European Union and the international community." Tuesday's visit was of considerable significance to Ivory Coast, which has seen its relations with France strained over the past 10 months of military rule. The country's economy, already unhealthy before the December coup, is near bankruptcy and the prospect of renewed financial aid will be a great boost to Gbagbo's fledgling administration. Josselin said he was happy with the outcome of last month's poll. Several countries, including the United States, Nigeria and South Africa, had called for a rerun after the violence. "I followed the political situation here with great anxiety and I am very happy with the outcome and I realise that Ivory Coast is making an effort to revive democracy and establish good relations with everyone," Josselin said. The French minister later met with Ouattara, who announced he would be standing in the legislative elections. Ouattara said he would be standing as a candidate for his home region, Kong, in the north of the country. He said he would be replacing his elder brother, who has been an MP in Kong in the last four parliaments. Ouattara was barred from running in last month's poll under the terms of a new constitution brought in by Guei. A Supreme Court ruling on the case said he was partly Burkinabe or had used Burkinabe nationality to further his career. Josselin was also to meet with PDCI acting president Laurent Dona Fologo. The French minister is due to leave Ivory Coast late Tuesday. omj/crl/kc/sas _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at http://profiles.msn.com. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html You may also send subscription requests to [log in to unmask] if you have problems accessing the web interface and remember to write your full name and e-mail address. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------