Togo opposition leader calls for sanctions

(6 Feb 2005)

1. Set-up shot of Togolese opposition leader Gilchrist Olympio
2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Gilchrist Olympio, Togolese opposition leader in exile:
"If he (referring to Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe) decided to hang on to it (a military regime), which he may not do, but if he does, there has to be targeted sanctions against Mr. Faure and also some of the ministers and close associates."
3. Various of Olympio checking photo of his father Sylvanus Olympio who was Togo's only democratically elected leader and he was killed outside the US embassy by forces of former President Gnassingbe Eyadema
4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Gilchrist Olympio, Togolese opposition leader in exile:
"We are trying to do it but through peaceful means, we are going to organise boycotts, demonstrations, rallies, we are going to make petitions to all our partners in Africa, we are going to see all the influential presidents of Africa, in Nigeria, in South Africa and few others, in other words to bring to their attention, and already we have their backing because they made non-equivocal declarations that they would not accept a military take-over."
5. Cutaway Olympio looking at picture of his father Sylvanus Olympio
6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Gilchrist Olympio, Togolese opposition leader in exile:
"Now the appointment of his son only corroborates the idea that we are living with a military dictatorship, which in my opinion, has underlined Mr. (Gnassingbe) Eyadema's regime for the last 38 years. So nothing has changed much."
7. Olympio with press

STORYLINE:

A Togolese opposition leader on Sunday called for sanctions against Togo's new military-anointed president if he refuses to embrace democracy.

France also said the Togolese people should be allowed to express themselves democratically.

Togo's military high command declared Faure Gnassingbe the new president of the tiny, impoverished West African nation on Saturday within hours of the death of his father, President Gnassingbe Eyadema, who was Africa's longest-ruling leader.

From Paris, where he lives, opposition figure Gilchrist Olympio denounced the son's appointment as "a military coup d'etat."

"The military have always ruled under Eyadema and they want to continue to rule," Olympio said.

France's Foreign Ministry urged Togo to follow its constitution, which says the speaker of parliament should have succeeded the president, with the obligation to call elections to choose a new president within 60 days.

"Beyond this intermediate period, it should be for the Togolese people to express themselves freely and democratically," the French ministry said in a statement.

French President Jacques Chirac also discussed Togo's situation with several African leaders, his office said without giving details.

Olympio, who heads the opposition Union of Forces of Change, said Eyadema's 38-year reign had been a disaster politically and economically.

"Now the appointment of his son only corroborates the idea that we are living with a military dictatorship, which in my opinion, has underlined Mr. (Gnassingbe) Eyadema's regime for the last 38 years. So nothing has changed much", he added.

But he added that he also expects internal and external pressure for change.

Olympio said his opposition group will seek to increase pressure on the government, possibly with "demonstrations, strikes, political rallies, etc."

He had intended to return home for a party congress this month, but said he was reviewing those plans to ensure "that when I go to Togo basic security conditions are present."


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