Lanny J. Davis & Associates, LLC Corrects Distortions of Role Advising Ivory Coast on Resolving Electoral Crisis

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Dec 23, 2010, 04:23 ET

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The following statements are provided to correct distortions regarding the role of Lanny J Davis & Associates, LLC in advising the Ivory Coast on resolving the electoral crisis. Lanny Davis says that when retained by the Ivory Coast government, he clearly stated publicly at two press conferences – one on December 20, and the second on December 21 – the following: "I have not been asked by the Ivorian government to try to prove to the world community who won the election in the Ivory Coast, or who is right or who is wrong.” Yet numerous reports on the Internet falsely stated that Mr. Davis is advocating in favor of the election of Mr. Gbagbo – precisely the opposite of this sentence quoted above and contained in his two statements. He reiterates his sole mission as stated in his two public press conferences is to bring about a peaceful resolution of the process through mediation and dialogue, and the renunciation of all violence, and also to assist the Government of the Ivory Coast to present its version of the facts and the law.

Selections from a December 20 and 21, 2010 public statement as well as additional comments from December 23, 2010 are followed by the full press release that addresses Lanny J. Davis & Associates' mission in advising the Ivory Coast.

"...I have not been asked by the Ivorian government to try to prove who won the election in the Ivory Coast, or who is right or who is wrong."

"...I am counseling the Government in order to peacefully resolve the crisis in a spirit of reconciliation, transparency, and through mediation, recognizing the concerns of the international community."

"...I have further advised the Government that they should seek the assistance of an outside mediator of acknowledged integrity and objectivity, such as former South African President Mbeki, who successfully mediated the accords that helped resolve conflict in the Ivory Coast in 2005, or some other similar world leader who is acceptable to all parties, so this crisis can be resolved without any further violence or instability."

DAVIS also ADDED an additional comment on December 23, 2010:

"I also note President Gbagbo's statement, as reported in today's New York Times, that he will not tolerate violence and abuses and condemns them, that he has called for a full investigation by objective authorities into reports of abuses, and for anyone responsible to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

"Also his televised speech yesterday emphasizing that he welcomes an international panel to address questions about the election and review questions about fraud, violence and interference raised by the EU, AU and other election monitors, as well as his extending a hand to Mr. Ouattara and calling for the joint renunciation of violence and a solution to the electoral fraud dispute through mediation, transparency and reconciliation."

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As originally released, December 20 and 21, 2010

Contact Maddie Melendez, 202/756-8293

Lanny J. Davis & Associates Addresses Mission in Advising Ivory Coast on Resolution of Election Crisis

WASHINGTON, DC: Lanny J. Davis and Associates, LLC, Washington DC, law firm with expertise in law, media, and public affairs, has been retained by the Government of the Ivory Coast to advise it on various options for peacefully resolving the crisis surrounding the November 28, 2010 presidential election in a spirit of reconciliation and transparency, recognizing the concerns of the international community, and consistent with the Ivory Coast's constitution and law.

The firm and its principal, Lanny J. Davis, will assist the government in working with the U.S. Government and the world community to seek a solution grounded in those principles, especially a renunciation of violence by all parties in the country as soon as possible.

"I have advised the government to be fully transparent in all respects," said Davis. "I have emphasized the necessity of disclosing all evidence and assertions upon which the Constitutional Council, the supreme judicial authority charged with determining the outcome of elections under the Ivorian Constitution, determined on December 3rd that Laurent Gbagbo was the winner of the election."

"I have not been asked by the Ivorian government to try to prove to the world community who won the election in the Ivory Coast, or who is right or who is wrong. I urge the international community to avoid a rush to judgment until all the facts regarding the November 28 election are fairly evaluated – a position that offers the best chance to avoid bloodshed and to achieve peace and stability, and one that I have taken in providing crisis management advice to clients all my professional career," Davis said.

The firm has recommended to the Ivory Coast government that in order to resolve this crisis peacefully and in a spirit of reconciliation, it should, out of respect for the international community, seek the assistance of an outside mediator of acknowledged integrity and objectivity, such as former South African President Mbeki, who successfully mediated the accords that helped resolve violence in the Ivory Coast in 2005 or some other similar world leader who is acceptable to all parties.

Lanny J. Davis & Associates is prepared to assist the Government's outreach to the international community, to encourage a solution on the basis of these recommendations, and to counsel complete transparency, and a commitment to non-violence and reconciliation, so that this crisis can be resolved without any further violence or instability.

For further information, including Lanny Davis's full statement and the Ivory Coast Government factsheet on the election controversy, see: http://www.ivorycoastelection.com

This material is distributed by Lanny J. Davis & Associates, LLC on behalf of the Government of Cote d'Ivoire. Additional information is available at the U.S. Department of Justice.