Once again we find the government of France up to its old tricks, opposing international action to stop genocide in Sudan in order to protect its oil deals:
Some one million people have fled their homes and at least 10,000 have been killed in what the UN calls “the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.”
A rebellion broke out in Darfur early last year, when two groups took up arms, accusing the government of ignoring the region.
“In Darfur, it would be better to help the Sudanese get over the crisis so their country is pacified rather than sanctions which would push them back to their misdeeds of old,” junior Foreign Minister Renaud Muselier told French radio.
France led opposition to US moves at the UN over Iraq. As was the case in Iraq, France also has significant oil interests in Sudan.
While the UN has agreed to send in a token force of 300, most agree that it will take at least 10,000 to stop the genocide. So it falls on President Bush and Prime Minister Blair to stand up for the human rights of the black Sudanese.
And if they do, will the media report the story fully and accurately, or will we get a replay of the “quagmire” stories that seem to be the dominant sort of war reporting since Vietnam?
The BBC report linked here surprised me, given that the Queen’s network reported the liberation of Iraq as if it were the English language service of Al Jazeera.
“Dominant” “quagmire” stories?
Wipe the foam from your mouth Richard.
I kinda remember that Gulf War I, and the early part of Gulf War II were highly uncritical of war efforts.
I do think it’s a good idea to help stop genocide, when we can.
Now, when it comes to genocide, the US’s enabling of the Khmer Rouge, Indonesia in East Timor, and Guatemala, well, the US as a bit of atoning to do.
Oh, and you’d be surprised at the propaganda emanating from the BBC at the run-up to the war, evidently.
As a Netherlander told me, when I was surpised at it in Rome, “Well, they’re allies with the US, you know!”
He didn’t disagree with that they were biased.
Of course, you probably think Fox News (owned by a corporation that defended itself in court by saying news organizations are free to lie) is news.
Red herring alert – anecdotal evidence interspersed with random USA-bashing.
Factually speaking, the Western Press were calling Afghanistan a “quagmire” days before the Taliban fell.
Nukes! First Paris, then Mecca!