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UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION Berne, 28 July 2003 International Bureau Circular 269 Côte d’Ivoïre – illegal postage stamp issues Dear Sir/Madam The postal administration of CÔTE D'IVOÏRE asks me to inform you of the following: "We would like to inform Universal Postal Union member countries and the World Association for the Development of Philately of the piracy carried out against Côte d'Ivoire Post through the issue and sale of illegal postage stamps bearing the words 'Republic of Côte d'Ivoïre'. / / "We are shocked and horrified by the fraudulent issue of a series of postage stamps (listed in Annex 1), aimed at philatelists, and disseminated by unscrupulous individuals via various websites and in some promotional publications. "This situation is even more deplorable since the stamps feature images or logos of certain prominent figures and international organizations, which could have serious consequences for Côte d'Ivoire Post. "For your information, there are at least three hundred illegal postage stamps. Most of them are presented in perforated formats comprising 6 x 3.00 USD stamps and 9 x 4.00 USD stamps. "As the only body authorized to issue and disseminate postage stamps under Ivorian law, Côte d'Ivoire Post cannot ignore this attempt to usurp its rights and blatantly violate UPU agreements. "We therefore denounce and condemn these reprehensible actions which undermine the reputation and the financial and economic situation of our administration. "We also call on the solidarity of all Union stakeholders to vigorously tackle this phenomenon which has a disastrous effect on the postal industry. "Furthermore, we ask the UPU International Bureau to inform the exploited bodies of these incriminating facts so we can disclaim all responsibility. "Annex 2 lists the postage stamps issued by Côte d'Ivoire Post since 1991. "Finally, we should point out that, since 2002, all our postage stamps are registered and can be viewed on the UPU website (wnsstamps.ch). Philatelists wishing to purchase stamps should contact: Abidjan Philatelic Centre Production Directorate Côte d’Ivoire Post 01 B.P. 4056 ABIDJAN 01 CÔTE D'IVOIRE Fax: + 225 20 32 24 82 Our official representative in France Théodore Champion SA 68, Rue d'Hauteville F. 75010 PARIS FRANCE Tel: + 33 1 42 46 07 38 (Mail order customers) Tel: + 33 1 42 46 70 32 (Business and retail customers) Fax: + 33 1 48 24 08 27" Yours faithfully, K J S McKEOWN Director of Markets Annex 1 Illegal postage stamp issues produced in the name of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire Shells Two miniature sheets* comprising six postage stamps, each representing different groups of shells. The value shown on each stamp is 100 F, and each stamp is inscribed with the year 2002 and the Rotary International emblem. Fauna (dogs, butterflies) Two miniature sheets* comprising six postage stamps, each representing different dog breeds. The value shown on each stamp is 100 F, and each stamp is inscribed with the year 2002 and the World Scout Emblem. Two miniature sheets* comprising six postage stamps, each representing different species of butterfly. The name of each species is featured on each stamp. The value shown on each stamp is 100 F, and each stamp is inscribed with the year 2002 and the World Scout Emblem. Flora Two miniature sheets* comprising six postage stamps, each representing different species of orchid. The name of each species is featured on each stamp. The value shown on each stamp is 100 F, and each stamp is inscribed with the year 2002. One site describes the orchids simply as flowers. Prominent figures Two miniature sheets* comprising six postage stamps, each featuring a different picture of the actor Elvis Presley, either alone or with other people. "25th Anniversary of Elvis Presley" is inscribed at the top of each sheet. The value shown on each stamp is 100 F, and each stamp is inscribed with the year 2002. One miniature sheet* comprising six postage stamps, each featuring a different picture of the actress Marilyn Monroe, either alone or with other people. "40th Anniversary of Marilyn Monroe" is inscribed at the top of each sheet. The value shown on each stamp is 100 F, and each stamp is inscribed with the year 2002. Two miniature sheets* comprising nine postage stamps, each featuring a different picture of the actress Marilyn Monroe, either alone or with other people. "40th Anniversary of Marilyn Monroe" is inscribed at the top of each sheet. The value shown on each stamp is 100 F, and each stamp is inscribed with the year 2002. Sport (motorbike racing, table tennis) Two miniature sheets* comprising six postage stamps, each featuring a picture of a different motorbike race. The value shown on each stamp is 100 F, and each stamp is inscribed with the year 2002 and the Rotary International Emblem. One miniature sheet* comprising six postage stamps, each featuring a different picture of table tennis players. The value shown on each stamp is 100 F, and each stamp is inscribed with the year 2002. Vehicles (fire engines, trains) Two miniature sheets* comprising six postage stamps, each featuring a different picture of a vintage fire engine. The value shown on each postage stamp is 100 F, and each stamp is inscribed with the year 2002. One website describes the vehicles as vintage fire engines while another describes them as vintage cars. Four souvenir sheets each comprising one postage stamp and featuring a different train; each stamp is inscribed with the year 2002 and the emblem of a specific organization. Four miniature sheets each comprising six postage stamps and featuring a different train; each stamp is inscribed with the year 2002 and the emblem of a specific organization. * These miniature sheets are listed in dollars on one website at a very high price (19.95 USD) for the perforated format for the two sheets and at double the price (39.80 USD) for the imperforated format. The same miniature sheets are listed on another website at a much cheaper price (e.g. 3.00 USD each). Annex 2 List of available postage-stamps:
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