Brussels, 11/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - “High Representative Catherine Ashton considers the 'nationalization of the cocoa trade' and threats to confiscate cocoa stocks announced earlier this week by Laurent Gbagbo as illegal”, explained one of her representatives in a statement published on Thursday 10 March, commenting on announcements by the self-proclaimed president of Côte d'Ivoire. The EU urges European countries to avoid trading in such cocoa from the Côte d'Ivoire.
On behalf of the EU, the statement explains that Catherine Ashton views these threats and the nationalisation of the cocoa trade as illegal because “ex-president Gbagbo has no right to carry out any nationalisation or confiscation of goods since he is no longer the legal president of the country. This is yet another step of state looting, following the illegal seizure of commercial banks last month. The act illustrates that Laurent Gbabgo and his collaborators are prepared to use any means at their disposal and to violate any laws and conventions to maintain power by force.”
The EU high representative for foreign policy points out that “President Ouattara has declared a temporary export ban on coffee and cocoa, in order to prevent Laurent Gbagbo from collecting money that he is using to buy weapons and hire mercenaries in order to cling on to power. Any cocoa or other “nationalised” goods sold by Gbagbo's regime are stolen and illegal goods. EU citizens and economic operators must refrain from trading in these goods. We encourage other countries to take the same approach.” (A.N./transl.fl)