Jacaylbaro Posted May 6, 2008 PARIS, May 5 (Reuters) - Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf asked France on Monday for military help to calm the chaos that has reigned in his country for almost two decades. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Paris would offer logistical and maritime support as part of international efforts to combat piracy along the Horn of Africa, but ruled out sending any ground troops. Yusuf, who met President Nicolas Sarkozy, told reporters he had requested French help on "the sea and on the ground, because the situation in Somalia really calls for security cooperation." Kouchner said France had already trained 2,000 soldiers in Burundi and transported them to Somalia, "but at the moment there is no question of putting (French) troops on the ground." France has pushed for an international initiative to crack down on piracy after its troops captured six pirates who had hijacked a yacht carrying French citizens off the Somali coast in April. Asked about allegations made on a French magazine's Web site that most of the captured pirates were members of his extended family, Yusuf said only that he knew all six were from his region. "Whether they are from my family or another, I am for justice... they committed a crime and they must pay." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Geel_jire Posted May 6, 2008 war bahalkan duliga ah .. tuugsiga ma dhaafo miyaa ? The French are only concerned with piracy.. they couldn't give a !@#$% whether the senile old goat lives or dies. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fabregas Posted May 6, 2008 The french leader is a classical Neocon-Zionist man. He had the audacity to tell African Leaders( in a large gathering) that Africans should essentially forget about colonisation from European forces. According to him France never exploited any of her colonies..rather.. France made a " few mistakes". Sarkozy also managed to refer to Africans as peasants. Not even mentioning, the remarks made about African and Arab Youths. Alot of people also forget that France is still heavily involved( militarily) in several of her old colonies. French forces have intervened in several wars, including the recent one, Chad; showing how they cleverly support one faction, rebel or warlord against each other, in order to have the man that is suitable to French interests. French hands are still deep in the business of Central/West African African states. Thus it would make sense for the SOmali warlords to beg France for troops to guard them, since they are incapable of ruling their own people without foreign help. France couldn't be a better suited candidate, but Frace already has many military commitements, and Somalia is strictly Yank Playground! Nex stop? China? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jacaylbaro Posted May 7, 2008 "but at the moment there is no question of putting (French) troops on the ground." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites