Ivory Coast Rebels Threaten France with Attack

Reuters | Mon December 23, 2002 10:38 AM ET

[Sparta]

ABIDJAN (Reuters) - Ivory Coast's three rebel factions threw down the gauntlet to France on Monday saying if there were any attacks by troops from the former colonial ruler on rebel positions they would launch an all-out offensive. The rebel groups met in Bouake, the stronghold of the main faction Patriotic Movement of Ivory Coast (MPCI), on Monday to discuss forming an alliance two days after French troops blasted three rebel pickup trucks attacking a town in the west.

In a joint statement, the MPCI, the Ivorian Popular Movement of the Far West (MPIGO) and the Movement for Peace and Justice (MJP) reiterated their desire for President Laurent Gbagbo to quit and for transparent elections with international monitors.

"The MPIGO, the MPCI and the MJP declare that from today any French military attack on one of their positions will be considered a 'declaration of war'," the groups said. "The MPCI, the MPIGO and the MJP will then launch a joint attack on all fronts."

France said on Sunday its soldiers would stay in Ivory Coast as long as was necessary to negotiate a peaceful end to the crisis, which has torn apart the region's economic hub and a cornerstone of French influence in Africa.

[chilepepper]

Of course most of the members of the French Foreign Legion aren't French (hence the name!)

They have nasty tempers and are not to be triffled with -- you try to imagine taking orders from a French officer and having to use French weapons to defend yourself?

[dighton]

All kidding aside, the French Foreign Legion will grind them up.

[Centurion2000]

bump

[r9etb]

"The MPIGO, the MPCI and the MJP declare that from today any French military attack on one of their positions will be considered a 'declaration of war'," the groups said. "The MPCI, the MPIGO and the MJP will then launch a joint attack on all fronts."

Well, that would be about the best possible result for the Loyalist forces.

[Chad Fairbanks]

LOL.... you have NO idea LOL

[PokeyJoe]

That my be so, but they have a really cheap website.

Official Site: Frogs Who March Weird

[Chad Fairbanks]

They have a better site out there... but it is in French... :0)

[Savage Beast]

If they attack France, whom will the French Muslims side with?

The French will pay a heavy price for their inability to think clearly.

[philosofy123]

The Ivory Coast trouble is instigated by guess whom? The religion of peace (Islamists)! Our media failed to mention that Qaddafi’s money, and Iranian Moslem infiltrators are behind the violence. It is almost a guarantee; every time there is trouble around the world, you can be damn sure the Moslems are causing it! The question here is: Why the media failed to tell us that Moslems are behind the hostilities?

[dighton]

... they have a really cheap website.

Hmmmm, definitely not their official site:

Tips On Deserting

If you decide you've had enough and choose to desert, there are a number of steps you can take to improve your odds of not being caught. The easiest means of deserting is to wait until your unit is granted leave. You should then have at least two weeks to find a way out of France.

[69ConvertibleFirebird]

Now what's France going to do??? They'd get their butts kicked unless we help out.

[VOA]

Ivory Coast's three rebel factions threw down the gauntlet to France on Monday
saying if there were any attacks by troops from the former colonial ruler on rebel
positions they would launch an all-out offensive.

Oh yeah, it's that Religion Of Peace, Inc. again...

[VOA]

These guys there are French Foreign Legion - I wouldn't recommend insulting them

Good advice...

[geedee]

Yeah, we'll have to send in Camp Pendleton's Boy Scout Troop 139 to rescue them.

[r9etb]

The question here is: Why the media failed to tell us that Moslems are behind the hostilities?

The explanation is simple: because the media see this as a "black thing." And it is a true fact that blacks in Africa kill each other for all kinds of reasons that have nothing to do with Islam -- including in Ivory Coast. Beyond that, the names of the groups (which is all the media, or most of us, know) suggest it's a run-of-the-mill African marxist/tribal war.

Islamic infiltrators are no doubt trying to make hay with this -- but I seriously doubt that it's really an Islamic thing.

[Chad Fairbanks]

I dare you to say that to one of the legionaires... I dare ya...

[csvset]

Here's a link to the French Foreign Legion's website.

French Foreign Legion

I had an opportunity to visit their museum at Aubagne, which is outside of Marseille. If you're ever in the area, stop by, it's worth it.

[ameribbean expat]

three words: Dien Bien Phu. The Legion's ranks are currently filled with alot of immigrants from former Soviet bloc countries, particularly Romanians. I wondered as I read this how many Muslims are in the Legion today. And most importantly, despite being manned by refugees from all over the world and from a variety of circumstances, the Legion is led/commanded by native French officers.

[PokeyJoe]

okay, you got me. NOT OFFICIAL. BUT.... HEHEHE.... GOOD ENOUGH.

[dighton]

Thanks for the link.