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Another French front in Africa
Presseurop ^ | 4/5/2011

Posted on 04/05/2011 10:20:18 PM PDT by bruinbirdman

"France goes to war," announces the front page of Libération, in the wake of intervention by the 1,500-strong French Licorne (Unicorn) force in Ivory Coast. In response "to a request from the UN," on 4 April, helicopters from the French air force and and the UNOCI mission in the country bombarded several positions manned by forces loyal to outgoing president Laurent Gbagbo, who has refused to hand over power to his rival, Alassane Ouattara, the internationally acknowledged winner of the 2010 election in the country. "This intervention jointly conducted by the UN and the former colonial [Ivory Coast became independent in 1960] is without a doubt the first of its kind since the end of the colonial period," writes Libération.

The newspaper notes that justification for the operation has been provided by Resolution 1975, adoped by the UN Security Council at the end of March. “Although President Sarkozy is unwilling to admit it, France has taken sides and is trying to unseat Gaddafi and et Gbagbo by force,” writes Libé. The daily goes on to argue that even if these operations are motivated by humanitarian concerns, there is no denying that “Sarkozy has involved France in two dangerous missions.” It also wonders “why this desire to protect civilians was not sufficient to prevent the massacre in Duekoue, in the west of the country which was apparently perpetrated by forces loyal to Ouattara.” The left-wing daily concludes that the populations in Libya and Ivory Coast are not likely to forget the fact that “government opponents drove to power in trucks belonging to a foreign army.”


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: africa; france; frenchtroops; ivorycoast

1 posted on 04/05/2011 10:20:20 PM PDT by bruinbirdman
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To: bruinbirdman

Somewhere, I can see Sarkozy tearing into his baguette and splashing his cafe au lait around yelling, ‘now who’s a bitch, Front National, now who’s a bitch?’


2 posted on 04/05/2011 10:24:27 PM PDT by OldNewYork (social justice isn't justice; it's just socialism)
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To: bruinbirdman
You have to watch out for short Frenchmen.
3 posted on 04/05/2011 10:34:08 PM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
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To: Berlin_Freeper

yitbos

4 posted on 04/05/2011 10:39:57 PM PDT by bruinbirdman ("Those who control language control minds." -- Ayn Rand)
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To: bruinbirdman

UNICORN Force???


5 posted on 04/05/2011 10:59:07 PM PDT by Hardraade (I want gigaton warheads now!!)
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To: bruinbirdman

This move by France is consistent with their effort in Libya in the sense that hey are going in to help the Muslims.


6 posted on 04/05/2011 11:01:17 PM PDT by spodefly (This is my tag line. There are many like it, but this one is mine.)
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To: Hardraade
UNICORN Force???

They better not drink the water or they'll get the Skittles®.

7 posted on 04/05/2011 11:06:59 PM PDT by this_ol_patriot (Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner)
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To: spodefly
LOL They are in for a rude awakening.

An American Expat in Southeast Asia

8 posted on 04/06/2011 12:20:03 AM PDT by expatguy (Support "An American Expat in Southeast Asia" - DONATE)
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