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East/Subsaharan Africa
French say their Congo mission will have little impact on fighting
2003-06-10
Edited For Mockery
The document says: "The operation in Bunia is politicaly [sic] and military [sic] high risk; very sensitive and complex. France has no specific interest in the area except solidarity with the international community." The end of the intervention, it says, has been "firmly established at Sept 1st 2003", by which time a contingent of Bangladeshi peacekeepers is expected in Bunia. The Bangladeshis are to relieve 700 Uruguayan peacekeepers, who have been repeatedly humiliated by their failure to prevent a string of massacres.
Uruguayans and Bangladeshis and Frogs, OH MY!
During a 10-day battle for control of the town last month they remained in their barracks, without the numbers or a mandate to stop the slaughter of hundreds of civilians.
Still filling out the (quadruplicate) request forms for ammo...
Two unarmed UN military observers were murdered, and seven peacekeepers taken to hospital after having nervous breakdowns.
The PEACEKEEPERS are having nervous breakdowns?
They probably heard how the two military observers died. And the part about their livers and hearts being eaten...
Posted by:mojo

#7  God! They just keep proving the point over and over and over again!!! We're useless and can do nothing! We don't have the balls, the capability, or the inclination to do a damn thing! Why don't they just stay home and have a parade for all the good they'll do!
Posted by: tu3031   2003-06-10 22:01:56  

#6  This story makes me more angry everyday.....BLOODY USELESS UN!!!!!Sending in a pathetic amount of troops with no mandate is IMMORAL!!! these troops are being set up to fail and be humiliated. Look at the high morale of the US troops after a decisive victory..Learn from the coalition,Kofi...Send in 100,000 troops to take out the trash or DONT BOTHER!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: debbie   2003-06-10 21:12:24  

#5  That's my point: It really doesn't work in places like Africa.
Posted by: True German Ally   2003-06-10 17:44:11  

#4  "And how on earth can "military observers" be "unarmed"?"
Simple, in a more civilized place, they would just be there to observe. Geneva convention, standard military courtesy, etc, means they would be above the fray and observe the fighting and send reports back. That don't work in places like Africa.
Posted by: Steve   2003-06-10 16:55:16  

#3  "After meeting with French President Jacques Chirac Tuesday afternoon, German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder told reporters that there would be no German soldiers on Congolese soil. Other commitments in Afghanistan, the Balkans and on the Horn of Africa will limit Germany's military involvement to plans to send a mobile surgical hospital, officers for the operation headquarters in Paris as well as transport planes." (Deutsche Welle)

Of course Rantburgers will know the reason Schroeder didn't mention...
A mission with such an unclear mandate is going to create a new Srebrenica.
And how on earth can "military observers" be "unarmed"???
Posted by: True German Ally   2003-06-10 16:35:24  

#2  Another foreign policy success for the UN. What a bunch of losers.
Posted by: Douglas De Bono   2003-06-10 16:29:32  

#1  It's so sad it makes my teeth hurt.
Posted by: Michael   2003-06-10 16:16:05  

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