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2003-02-10 East/Subsaharan Africa

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Posted by Steve White 2003-02-10 10:33 am|| || Front Page|| [1 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 The main rebels groups are backed by Burkina Faso and Lybia, effectively splitting the country between the muslim north and the animist/christian south, with west ethnic liberian factions adding to the confusion. Problem is, France has major economical interests in IC, 20 000 nationals (less now), 60 000 lebaneses (strong ties too) and was initially unwilling to choose between the gvt and the rebels. Now, we're stuck in the middle of an political, religious and tribal stand-off, which is going to be long and possibly messy.

Posted by Anonymous 2003-02-10 03:24:06|| 2003-02-10 03:24:06|| Front Page Top

#2 I protest the "unilateral action" of France in the Cote D'Ivoir. Why have they not sought international approval for this blatant violation of national sovreignty? Yet again, France has eschewed the political solution in favor of violence. I exhort France to come back to the bargaining table rather than pursue continued warlike behavior.
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Giggle!

Posted by Scott 2003-02-10 08:18:39|| 2003-02-10 08:18:39|| Front Page Top

#3 There's been precious little detail on the internal workings on this little fiasco. If Burkina Faso and Libya have their fingers in the north, it's not necessarily a "mainstream" Islamist tide; more like Muammar's meddling, though to what end no one knows - probably not even Muammar.

If Charles Taylor is sending thugs from Liberia, that's another story. Possibly both are going on at the same time. Taylor is an out and out crook, with visions of being a big-time crook. Where he's involved, there go slaughter and rapine, just on principle.

Liberia, up until Samuel Doe, used to be a prosperous country, for West Africa. Doe was a lunatic, but stupid. Taylor's a lunatic, but smart. He needs an "unfortunate accident."

Posted by Fred 2003-02-10 10:41:16|| 2003-02-10 10:41:16|| Front Page Top

#4 With thousands of Burkina Faso jihadis in the Ivory Coast, France imposed a status quo "peace," which permits further Muslim infiltration. That is why 200,000 patriots took to the streets to protest that diplomatic atrocity.

Posted by Anon 2003-02-10 11:55:48|| 2003-02-10 11:55:48|| Front Page Top

#5 One has to ask, in all seriousness, if France is on the verge of a major intervention in the Ivory Coast, just how they propose to form the core of a tens-of-thousands-strong international peacekeeping/arms-monitoring force in Iraq at the same time.

Posted by Joe 2003-02-10 18:22:43|| 2003-02-10 18:22:43|| Front Page Top

#6 Joe --- I think that France bid on too many jobs. The Ivory Coast has been subbed out to them and now they have to perform. It is in their court and they are in trouble. Taking it to the UN will destroy their "credibility" in this arena. Of course if they bring it to the UN it can always take precidence over Iraq, ha ha. The French are getting their ass in a sling. If they want to run with the big dogs, they better quit pissing like puppies.

Posted by Alaska Paul 2003-02-10 19:09:09|| 2003-02-10 19:09:09|| Front Page Top

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