Suspicious explosions hit government buildings in France

AP ^

[Pikamax]

Suspicious explosions hit government buildings in France

Paris-AP -- Two French government buildings have been rocked by explosions today in Nice (NEES).

At least 16 people were slightly hurt, including a police officer. One person was hospitalized for observation.

The explosions hit the Treasury and Customs buildings, shattering windows for 150 yards and destroying several shops and parked cars. The second one happened soon after firefighters arrived.

No word yet if they were bombs, but the French finance minister seems to think so. He says the explosions resulted from "cowardly attacks."

Local officials say they're not ruling out any leads, including the possibility that it was the work of Corsican separatists. They've been known to target the Treasury building in the past.

[Paleo Conservative]

Have they surrendered yet?

[witnesstothefall]

W promised to subvert governments of countries that harbor or help terrorists. One can hope.....

[Ronin]

Interesting. I wonder who would want to do something like this...

[xm177e2]

This just in from the French gov't: they say one was planted by a Jew, and the other by an Arab. Both groups are equally at fault again, of course. </sarcasm>

[Pikamax]

French Riviera bomb wounds 16


http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/24by7panews/page.cfm?objectid=13199265&method=full&siteid=50143




Pierre Thebault

NICE, France (Reuters) - French anti-terrorist police have been called in after a bomb attack on a tax and customs office in Nice injured 16 people and caused major damage to shops and houses, judicial officials say.

No group claimed responsibility for the overnight attack. Suspicion fell on Corsican separatists who last week announced the end of a ceasefire in protest at government policy towards the restive Mediterranean island.

"We are leaning towards a Corsican link," said an Interior Ministry police spokesman. Near the scene of the attack police found a detonator in a burnt-out car that had been stolen in Corsica and was carrying false number plates.

Sub-prefect Abdel Aissou said two bombs went off within minutes of each other, badly damaging the tax and customs building and shattering windows for hundreds of metres around.

People were taken to hospital suffering from shock or cuts from flying glass, but their injuries were described as slight.

France calls in its main anti-terrorism investigation squad, based in Paris, when it suspects more than a simple criminal act. Judicial officials declined to give more details.

Violence by the Corsican National Liberation Front (FLNC) and other militant groups seeking independence from France have been part of life for decades on the Mediterranean island but rare on the French mainland.

Tensions have risen since France announced this month it had arrested the chief suspect in the killing five years ago of ex-prefect Claude Erignac, Paris's top official on the island.

Many Corsicans believe Yvan Collona is innocent. Others say Paris timed his arrest in a cynical bid to gain votes in a local referendum just 48 hours later on proposals to grant Corsica limited autonomy. A majority of Corsicans voted "No", leaving the government without a strategy for ending the violence.

Police in the main Corsican city of Ajaccio fired tear gas on Saturday night to drive back rioting youths after a street protest against Colonna's arrest ended in clashes and vandalism.

Corsican nationalist groups said 10,000 had attended the earlier rally, which was also to protest against the stiff jail sentences handed this month to others convicted of involvement in Erignac's killing.

[TBall]

"He says the explosions resulted from "cowardly attacks." Must have been an inside job.

[dr_who_2]

If you can't be civil, at least be civilized.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

He says the explosions resulted from "cowardly attacks."

LOL! How ironic

[Pikamax]

police officer stands guard outside the Treasury and Customs building that was damaged by an explosion in Nice, southern France, early Sunday, July 20, 2003. Two explosions rocked the Riviera city overnight, lightly injuring 11 people and damaging several buildings. The cause of the blasts was not immediately known. (AP Photo/Bruno Bebert)

[RightWhale]

the work of Corsican separatists.

Oh, well, if it's Corsicans, then that's all right. Naturally, Islamic statists would never come to mind before Corsicans.

[Drango]

In retaliation, France has sunk the Greenpeace ship "Rainbow Warrior"

[smoothsailing]

16 people were slightly hurt

Will France seek International Aid for this horrendous event?

[sd-joe]

LOL

[Reaganesque]

I can't help but remember the Pink Panther movie where Inspector Clouseau, trying out a costume at a costume shop, opens the door to the shop to find a man placing a bomb with a burning fuse in front of the door. They exchange glances and the man says to Clouseau, "Special delivery" and hands him the bomb. Clouseau thanks him and turns to the owner of the shop and says "Its a bomb. Were you expecting one?"

[Prodigal Son]

Suspicious explosions hit government buildings in France

As opposed to non suspicious explosions.

[Bella]

Someone's having a good time for themselves! two threads today but different places...

Two explosions rock Kosovo's capital

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/949604/posts

[BenLurkin]

[John H K]

Corsicans aren't Muslims.