DATE=12/31/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=CQ IVORY COAST (S)

NUMBER=2-297952

BYLINE=CHALLISS MCDONOUGH

DATELINE=ABIDJAN

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

///EDS: REISSUED TO CORRECT SLUG. NO OTHER CHANGES.///

INTRO: Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo has laid out his plan for ending the country's three-month old civil war. But as V-O-A's Challiss McDonough reports from Abidjan, his nationally televised speech was more confrontational than conciliatory.

TEXT: The president's speech was billed as the presentation of a peace plan, but he showed little inclination to compromise with the rebels who hold roughly half of Ivory Coast.

/// GBAGBO ACT IN FRENCH, ESTABLISH AND FADE ///

President Gbagbo says he will continue to fight until in his words the country recovers its territorial integrity.

He said he will only negotiate after the rebels lay down their arms.

The Ivorian leader spoke to the nation New Year's Eve on state television and radio. But it is not clear how many Ivorians were listening.

The government relaxed its dusk-to-dawn curfew for the holiday, giving people until midnight to ring in the new year.

Hundreds of people could be seen roaming the streets of Abidjan as the president began his speech, taking advantage of the rare opportunity to spend a night on the town. (signed)

NEB/CEM/FC/RH