/ 2 March 1999

‘IMF CRIT UNFOUNDED’

COTE d’Ivoire Finance Minister Niamien N’Goran on Monday questioned the critical findings of an investigation carried out last month by the International Monetary Fund. The IMF said after the February 9-18 mission that “all the conditions are not present for starting negotiations” on a lending program for 1999, citing difficulties managing public finances and calling the situation “very worrying.” “It’s a serious and unfounded accusation,” N’Goran said.