ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast — With the spirit of peace seemingly breaking out in this country, I thought it would be instructive to speak with Charles Blé Goudé, leader of the pro-government Young Patriots militia. Best known for rousing his charges against the United Nations, France, journalists and the political opposition, whom they have attacked, he is redefining his image after the signing of the Ouagadougou peace agreement. After deriding the rebel New Forces as French puppets, Blé Goudé recently visited Bouake, their stronghold, in what he probably believed was a goodwill gesture. He should not have been too difficult for [...]
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been no stranger to controversy since his campaign and subsequent election to office this past May. But Americans especially may be perplexed at the latest fodder for presidential controversy in the French media: Sarkozy’s exercise regime. Libération, the left-leaning newspaper founded by Jean-Paul Sartre, wonders (in French) if Sarkozy’s frequent workouts are part of a “right-wing conspiracy,” and many message board posters on the paper’s Web site agree. The Washington Post reported that Alain Finkielkraut, a French intellectual, recently claimed on the primary state TV channel, France 2, that “strolling” is the proper activity of [...]
The U.N. peacekeeping mission to Haiti, which began in June 2004, is up for renewal in October of this year. Haitians are nervous about what will happen if the troops leave, reports WPR contributor Carmen Gentile. Watch the video below (flash must be enabled): To browse all WPR videos using our custom player, click here. Related article: “Haiti: Port-au-Prince Slums Experiencing Relative Calm, for Now“
