Hillary Clinton on four-nation tour

Upon her arrival, she was welcomed by Cote d’Ivoire’s Foreign Minister Daniel Kablan Duncan and other members of the government.
Yesterday, Clinton was expected to meet Cote d’Ivoire President Alassane Ouattara and hold talks with the participants in a reconciliation programme organised by an international NGO called the Search for Common Ground.

Official sources said the meeting between Hillary and Cote d’Ivoire authorities is expected to reinforce relations between Abidjan and Washington. A statement from the US Embassy in Cote d’Ivoire said the visit aims to “demonstrate America’s support for national reconciliation and reinforcement of democratic institutions following the successful 2011 legislative elections.”

Hillary’s visit to Cote d’Ivoire is the first by a US top diplomat since 1987. The trip, which had carried her to Liberia, also includes Togo and Cape Verde. — Xinhua.