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| Africa: West |
| French Transfer Congo Checkpoints to U.N. |
| 2003-08-31 |
| BUNIA - French troops transferred control of the last of five key checkpoints into this troubled Congolese town to a U.N. force Saturday, three months after they moved in to stem tribal warfare that killed hundreds and forced thousands to flee. And not a croissant lost! The handover comes two days before the French general leading the emergency force turns over command to a Bangladeshi general heading a special U.N. force for this volatile northeastern corner of Africa’s third-largest country. Three dozen French troops chatted with villagers before the French flag was lowered and replaced by U.N. and Bangladeshi flags in a ceremony marking the transfer of control of Shari checkpoint, some 5 miles northwest of Bunia, the capital of the Ituri province. "All positions around and in the town, except the one on the road to the airport, are now held by the (United Nations’) Ituri Brigade," said Col. Gerard Dubois, spokesman of the French-led emergency force. The 2,000-strong international force was deployed in June under European Union and U.N. mandates to secure Bunia and enable aid workers to operate after weeks of fighting between the Hema and Lendu tribes. Some 500 people were killed in the tribal conflict. Unlike the hundreds of Uruguayan troops who were I confess some amazement, I really thought the French would screw the pooch on this one. |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #1 You don't call handing this over to the UN screwing the pooch? |
| Posted by: Charles 2003-8-31 12:51:13 AM |