No rebel disarmament in eastern Ivory Coast Friday, rebels say

ABIDJAN (AFP) - No rebel forces will present themselves this week at a disarmament site in northeastern Ivory Coast, rebel spokesman Sidiki Konate announced.
"There will be nothing at the site in Bouna on Friday," Konate told AFP by telephone from the central rebel stronghold Bouake.
"We will not allow ourselves to be drawn into the political manipulation by President (Laurent) Gbagbo, who is fixated on that date."
A long-awaited campaign to disarm Ivory Coast's estimated 30,000 paramilitary and militia forces -- 25,000 of whom are rebel troops -- is due to open Friday with the regrouping of fighters in the restive west African state's east.