IV.  POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT

1. Overview

C te d'Ivoire is a stable, multiparty democracy which achieved
independence from France in 1960.  Relations with the United
States have traditionally been excellent, and the bilateral
relationship has been largely free from conflict since
independence.  Thanks to the strength of its economy in the
first 20 years of independence, its moderate foreign policy,
and the stature of its first president, Felix Houphouet-
Boigny, C te d'Ivoire has played an important role in the West
African region.  C te d'Ivoire's relationship with France
remains extremely close, as evidenced by the strong French
presence including a sizable military base and some 15,000
French expatriates.  C te d'Ivoire's government consists of a
strong executive branch and relatively weak legislative and
judicial branches.

2. The Houphouet Years

From independence until 1993, the country was ruled by a
single president, Felix Houphouet-Boigny.  During the period
of strong economic growth in the 60's and 70's Houphouet ruled
unopposed and his Democratic Party of C te d'Ivoire (PDCI) was
the sole permitted party in the country.  In the 1980's,
opposition to the regime grew as the Ivorian economy faltered.

Over the last four years, C te d'Ivoire has undergone a
reasonably balanced transition to multiparty democracy.  In
1990, Houphouet liberalized the political system and called
for multiparty elections.  Several dozen parties formed
following the announcement, including the Ivorian Popular
Front (FPI), the largest of the opposition parties.  The
opposition was given little time to prepare for the elections,
and there were accusations of irregularities in the election
itself.  The opposition won 10 seats in the National Assembly
out of a possible 175, and the President was reelected.
However, the final results were accepted by all participating
political parties.

3. The New Government and the 1995 Elections

In 1993, Houphouet died and was replaced by his constitutional
successor, National Assembly President Henri Konan Bedie.  The
constitution calls for Bedie to serve out the rest of
Houphouet's term, which ends in October 1995.  Preparations
are currently underway for presidential, legislative, and
municipal elections which will take place in late 1995.  There
has been some tension between the government and the
opposition, most recently after the arrest of five opposition
journalists.  However, voter registration and other
preparations for the elections are continuing peaceably.

The ruling party, the PDCI, is a centrist party without strong
ideological identification.  The major opposition party, the
FPI, is a moderate "socialist" party more concerned with
political issues than with radical economic change.  The
Ivorian Workers' Party, which has one deputy in the National
Assembly, is more left-leaning.  Few of the 80 or so other
Ivorian parties have made much of an impact on the Ivorian
political scene.