Quotes: "I am thankful that both the President and First Lady are still alive but brutally mutilated. I condemn, however, the use of so-called "peacekeeping" forces made up of UN and French forces in the attacks on Abidjan and the presidential palace. It is these forces that have caused countless deaths in this densely populated city of four million people." - - - - - - - "I called for a cease fire and no one responded. This was eight days ago." "I again called for an immediate cease-fire, and no one responded." "And I call on UN, French and Ouattara forces to halt immediately "death squads" roving around the streets of Abidjan "disappearing" supporters of President Gbagbo." "This killing must stop now!" - - - - - - "This is not about the Gbagbos or Cote d'Ivoire, but about the modern day return to French Colonial Imperialism. And this time with the help of the United Nations." - - - - - - - - "President Museveni of Uganda who said yesterday, prior to the capture of the Gbagbos that: 'I have not been happy with the way the UN and International Community, especially the French have responded to the events of the post election Ivory Coast. I desired that it would have been ideal for a thorough Investigation into the alleged election rigging and it be done by a credible and independent body under the African Union leadership and guidance instead of violently forcing Laurent Gbagbo out of power without a hearing. I am not pleased with the way International Community can sanction a situation of blood bath in the domestic affairs of African Countries. I would prefer a peaceful intervention by an African Union committee that would investigate into the matter, give the parties a fair hearing and come out with a workable recommendation that can promote peace and stability in the region. The recommendation would include the possibility of a peaceful and conciliatory settlement towards a power-sharing deal as was done in the case of Kenya and Zimbabwe. At this point, I believe he would be happy to have a team of capable African leaders chosen under the auspices of African Union to work on a peaceful end to the conflict in Ivory Coast. I believe the Africa Union must be given the opportunity to handle the matter in-house. I am of course not pleased with the way the UN and the International Community has directly thrown their weight in support of Alassane Outtara and now recognizing him as president.'" - - - - - - "I have warned the UN and the French on this floor four times in the past week that they would have blood on their hands if they continued supporting the rebel forces of Alassane Ouattara and continued the bombing the capital of Cote d'Ivoire, Abidjan, and did not agree to an immediate cease-fire." - - - - - - - - "I also suggest that the United States step in to help and examine the possibility seeking a place of exile for the Gbagbos outside of Cote d'Ivoire. The U.S. has performed such a role before when in 1986, under the Reagan Administration, Haiti's "Baby Doc" Duvalier was sent into exile in France. This could be an important step towards beginning a process of reconciliation that the people of Cote d'Ivoire so dearly deserve." - - - - - - "Cote d'Ivoire has had a hard enough time trying to break free of the yoke of French colonialism. From the days of President Houphouet-Boigny in 1960 through Bedie in 2000 when Gbagbo was democratically elected. This shadow of colonialism must be lifted not only from Cote d'Ivoire but from all of Africa."

• published: 12 Apr 2011
• views: 16825