By Kevin McCauley
Jefferson Waterman International is doing PR for Ivory Coast politico Alassane Ouattara, who defeated strongman Laurent Gbagbo in the Presidential election that was held Nov. 28.
Ouattara
Photo: VOA |
The Voice of America reports today that Gbagbo, who failed to turn over the reins of power, has agreed to lift the blockade around the hotel where Ouattara has been holed up for weeks. The Economic Community of Western African States has issued a statement, saying that Gbagbo is open to negotiate a peaceful solution to the political stalemate.
Charles Waterman, a former CIA operative and vice chairman of the National Intelligence Council, heads JWI.
Ouattara, in an engagement letter to Waterman, writes that JWI is to handle Ivorian national interests in categories such as economic/financial, military/security, trade/investment and PR.
The goal is to "marshal maximum support" from the U.S. executive/legislative branches, media, think tanks and NGOs.
JWI may also operate as Ouattara's “consultant and advocate” beyond the borders of the U.S. Its compensation is to “await the full and effective establishment of my powers and those of my government.”
Lanny Davis, President Clinton’s former legal counselor, signed a three-month $300K contract with Gbagbo last month, but has ended that relationship.
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