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.

[Sparta]

Note to Reuters(again): These so-called "rebels" are Islamofascist trash backed by Liberia, Libya, and the rest of the usual suspects.

[mhking]

"France surrenders. Details at 11."

[Larry Lucido]

France said on Sunday its soldiers would stay in Ivory Coast as long as was necessary to negotiate a peaceful end surrender.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Ya know what? These guys there are French Foreign Legion - I wouldn't recommend insulting them - they are NOT French Regular Army...

:0)

[Hank Rearden]

More gifts from Mother Africa.

[SauronOfMordor]

The Foreign Legion is not majorly composed of Frenchmen. People for all sorts of nationalities join for adventure, and in order to get a new start as a French citizen

[concerned about politics]

France is a socialist utopia. Why aren't they loved by one and all? You know, peace, love, and groovy flower power?
With the "appeasement for peace" mentality, why are they objecting to an Islamic take over? Seems like they'd be willing to accept that "so everyone can get along."

[Dog]

These guys there are French Foreign Legion

Those boys won't quit...

[Carry_Okie]

Note to Reuters(again): These so-called "rebels" are Islamofascist trash backed by Liberia, Libya, and the rest of the usual suspects.

They may be fascists in fact, but their ideology smacks of Marxism.

[Chad Fairbanks]

No kidding - which is why, when referring to the FFL, one should NOT make the "We surrender" jokes - part of the code of honor is NEVER surrender your arms...

[Prodigal Son]

Aye, but this is still the Legion we're talking about here in this article- and they do represent France in this matter. I don't look for them to surrender...

[Chad Fairbanks]

Yes, the represent France - but with Honor, more than one could say for her government...

[concerned about politics]

Aye, but this is still the Legion we're talking about here in this article- and they do represent France in this matter. I don't look for them to surrender...

That's refreshing. Thanks for the info. I had no idea France had real men.

[Chad Fairbanks]

They don't - that's why it's the 'Foreign' Legion heh heh heh

[johnny7]

Bon sois mon amie... I surrender... viva la France!

When the balloon goes up, the French drop their rifles and raise their arms.

Remember a picture from 1940... two drunken French soldiers laughing as they surrendered.

[Norman Arbuthnot]

{����,�s there are French Foreign Legion - I wouldn't recommend insulting them - they are NOT French Regular Army...

Well, most the troops in the Legion are NOT French, maybe that explains why they are the only decent unit that France has.

[CougarGA7]

Does this mean that France is going to get invaded/conquered again?

Sigh, I say this time we don't bail them out.

[The Real Deal]

I have to wonder if the French aren't biting off more than they can chew.

[The Real Deal]

LOL

[headsonpikes]

LOL!! You're bad. ;^)