Court orders investigation into Cte d'Ivoire deaths

THE HAGUE, (AP):

The International Criminal Court yesterday authorised an investigation into violence that left some 3,000 people dead after Cte d'Ivoire's disputed presidential election last year.

The violence erupted after former president, Laurent Gbagbo, refused to cede power to opposition leader Alassane Ouattara after losing the election last November.

Ouattara finally took office in May and asked the international court to investigate crimes committed by both sides during the postelection crisis.

Cte d'Ivoire's Justice Minister Jeannot Ahoussou Kouadio welcomed the decision.

"It's what we've wanted. It's what we've been asking for," he told The Associated Press by phone from Yamoussoukro. He said justice handed down through such a "strong and respected institution" would be the only way to ensure "total transparency."

Kouadio pledged there would be no impunity for pro-Ouattara fighters who were found by the court to have committed crimes during the crisis.

Gbagbo's spokesperson Kone Katinan said if he is to be judged, it should be by his own people rather than an international tribunal.