French leaders insist they are determined to stay in Mali until the job is “done,” insisting that will mean safety, a nation totally free of terrorism, and a flourishing democracy to replace the military junta.
If that sounds like a tall order for a war-torn African nations where the rebels hold two thirds of the territory, it’s because it is. That’s not how French officials see it, however.
Aides of President Francois Hollande say that they believe the air strikes have been hugely successful, and believe that the entire operation will take “only a few weeks.” One can’t get much more optimistic than that.
The reality of the situation is that France has killed a lot of people, but rebels have taken even more territory since the war began. And even with African troops expected to start arriving next week, the occupation forces are likely to take months to train before they can match up to a large and increasingly well-armed rebel movement.
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A Democracy Now! story today explained that the largest uranium reserves on Earth are located in Northern Mali and neighboring Niger. France gets 75% of its electricity from nuclear power.
Even with these huge strategic reserves Mali is the third poorest country on Earth.
Finally watched 'Battle of Algiers' recently – I highly recommend it…
it was awesome
Let the French have their African "afghanistan". Just don't let them fob it off, once more, like they did with indochina.
Let the French kiss my a*s along with their democracy.
so, baird wants to have talks about the issue. yak yak yak yak yak yak yak yak etc… while innocent people are being killed. this is typical id-iot mentality from harper and the corruption party. if there is no profit in war, then who cares, right. let's send harper to the front line to fight. maybe this will put the piece of s— in his place !
French tools break easily.
France is such a good neighbor. Ready to help out at any cost. I wonder if all that gold Mali is sitting on has any bearing on France's kindness? LMAO
Is that terror free, or uranium free?
Democracy! Please what stupid ass believes that? Like in " I am enlisting to fight for freedoms" put down the drink loony.