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US DEPARTMENT OF STATE
OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN
Taken Question of October 8, 1993
Gabon: Elections
Q. Does the United States have any comment on the Gabonese GovernmentŐs
banning of opposition newspapers?
A. -- The United States has consistently urged the Government of Gabon
(GOG) to respect media freedom, even when the views expressed in
opposition newspapers and broadcasts harshly criticize it.
-- As soon as the GOG issued its September 9, 1993 decree invoking
a 1960 press law that made it almost impossible for any independent
newspaper (opposition or pro-government) to publish, we reaffirmed our
belief that the decree was inconsistent with the guarantees contained in
GabonŐs 1991 constitution.
-- Reacting to domestic and international criticism, President
Bongo subsequently submitted draft legislation to the National Assembly
which would narrow considerably the grounds on which the GOG can act
against the independent media, requiring it to go through the judicial
process. The National Assembly is expected to pass this bill shortly.
-- As the December 5 presidential election approaches, it is more
important than ever for the GOG to respect freedom of the press.
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