Withdrawal fom Ivory Coast, says French Minister
Lisa Bryant
The French government said today it was closely
following the growing violence in Ivory
Coast（象牙海岸）where protesters have taken to
the streets for the third consecutive day to demonstrate against French
military presence in the country. French Foreign Minister Dominique de
Villepin said this week that French troops are staying put in Ivory Coast
despite growing public opposition to their presence. He called on both
sides to respect the peace agreement signed in Paris earlier this year.
He was responding to mounting unrest in Ivory Coast
targeting the French peacekeeping troops deployed in the country.
Anti-riot police（防暴警察）launched
tear gas（催淚瓦斯）Wednesday as they battled young, stone throwing
demonstrators near the Ivory Coast's capital of Abidjan. Some protesters
threatened to kill French citizens if their demands were not met. French
schools were closed in Abidjan（阿比讓，象牙海岸的首都）as
a precautionary measure.
The demonstrations took place despite a ban against
any gatherings, announced by Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo Tuesday.
This week's riots have sparked fears the country was heading toward
a new wave of turmoil. Most of the demonstrators are considered to be
President Gbagbo's supporters.
France has 4,000 troops stationed in Ivory Coast to
help enforce a January peace agreement between the government and rebels
who control the northern half of the country. French forces are working
alongside one thousand West African peacekeepers.
But for months, both government and rebel forces have
accused Paris of supporting the other side. The latest pro-government
demonstrators want French troops to retreat from a cease-fire line.
They have threatened to target some 16 thousand French civilians who
live in Ivory Coast, once a hub of peace and economic power in West
Africa.
Relations between France and the Ivorian government
worsened after the killing of French radio correspondent Jean Helene
last month, allegedly by a police officer. French President Jacques
Chirac demanded what he called exemplary justice from the Ivorian government.
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