DATE=12/31/2002

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IVORY COAST/NEW YEAR (S)

NUMBER=2-297939

BYLINE=CHALLISS MCDONOUGH

DATELINE=ABIDJAN

CONTENT=

INTRO: Residents of Ivory Coast are ringing in the new year under the shadow of civil war. One bright spot, however, is the easing of the curfew to allow people to celebrate New Year's Eve. V-O-A Correspondent Challiss McDonough reports from Abidjan, Ivorians are hoping 2003 will bring them peace.

TEXT: Residents of Abidjan are celebrating the start of a new year, hoping it will bring peace to their war-torn country. In government-held areas -- the curfew, which normally starts at 7 P-M -- has been pushed back to midnight to allow people one night of celebrations to say goodbye to 2002 and hello to 2003.

But many Ivorians, including Amelie Gouessan, say they will celebrate their holiday with their families.

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

She says she wants God to bless the leaders of Ivory Coast so they can guide the country and its people in peace.

Despite the people's wishes for peace and security, Ivory Coast enters 2003 a country divided. The three-month-old war has killed hundreds of people, and displaced thousands more from their homes. (signed)

NEB/CEM/KL/KBK