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Switzerland Freezes Assets of Ivory Coast's Gbagbo, Tunisia's Ben Ali

   VOA News  19 January 2011
   Micheline Calmy-Rey (file photo)

Photo: AFP

   Switzerland  says  it  will  freeze  assets of Ivory Coast's incumbent
   president,  Laurent  Gbagbo,  and  Tunisia's  former president Zine El
   Abidine Ben Ali.
   Swiss  Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey said Wednesday the move is
   aimed  at ensuring the Swiss financial system does not become a refuge
   for  funds  "illegally"  obtained  from  the people of Ivory Coast and
   Tunisia.
   Ms.  Calmy-Rey,  who  holds  the  Swiss  rotating presidency, says the
   assets  of  Mr.  Gbagbo,  Ben  Ali and their entourages will be frozen
   "immediately." Â
   The  European  Union  froze  Mr.  Gbagbo's assets earlier this week in
   response  to  his  refusal  to  hand  power  to  his  rival,  Alassane
   Ouattara.   Most countries have recognized Mr. Ouattara as the winner
   of Ivory Coast's November presidential election. Â
   The  Swiss  foreign minister says her government wanted to act quickly
   to prevent Mr. Gbagbo from shifting funds to Switzerland to get around
   the EU sanctions. Â
   His assets also have been frozen in the United States.
   Ms.  Calmy-Rey says the freeze on Mr. Gbagbo will remain in effect for
   three years.
   Ben  Ali  fled Tunisia last Friday following mass protests against his
   23-year long authoritarian rule.

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