"French officials abducted in Somalia; Security advisers posed as reporters" by Edward Cody, Washington Post | July 15, 2009
Related: Somalis Sieze French Spies
PARIS - France celebrated its National Day with a large military parade down the Champs Elysees and a garden party at the Elysee Palace, the official residence of President Nicolas Sarkozy. In a television interview for the occasion, Sarkozy went out of his way to praise the French military. He reminded viewers that his government has increased spending for modern military equipment, even though the manpower totals are being reduced. “The French army is professional, competent, devoted,’’ he said. “It does an absolutely remarkable job.’’
--more--"
Except in Somalia, 'eh?
"Bastille Day parade has global edge" by Associated Press | July 15, 2009
PARIS - President Nicolas Sarkozy opened the traditional Bastille Day military parade to Indian and German troops yesterday, as France looks to expand its global military influence and strengthen strategic partnerships.
The annual holiday parade marks the July 14, 1789, storming of the Bastille prison in eastern Paris that helped spark the French Revolution. French companies have been seeking new markets for their military and nuclear technology, and Sarkozy pledged yesterday that despite the economic crisis he would not seek to cut French military spending on high-tech weapons or intelligence gathering.
So the French government is full-speed ahead for the New World Order!
The French military is in the midst of restructuring that has forced the closing of some military bases in France and Africa as the country expands in the Persian Gulf. France hopes its presence there will bolster international efforts to fight piracy and guard shipping lanes while giving France more leverage with Iran and the Gulf states....
Pirates again.
--more--"
Think there is a connection?
"French workers facing layoffs adopt increasingly dire tactics; Unions hold boss hostage, threaten to blow up plants" by David Jolly, New York Times | July 16, 2009
NEW YORK - First the bosses were taken hostage. Now, workers facing layoffs in France have threatened - twice this week - to blow up their factories unless they receive more severance pay. Although the threats have so far turned out to be less than serious, the theatrics are increasing the level of labor tension as the economy shrinks.
Workers at a
The French labor minister, Xavier Darcos, said the government will help find nonviolent solutions. He also warned that more corporate restructurings, with additional jobs losses, are probable this summer.
As Nico pours $$$ into the military machine!
“I don’t see how we’re going to fix the situation with desperado tactics,’’ he said.
Well, nothing else seems to work!
The bomb threats follow a spring wave of cases in which workers took their bosses hostage. In one episode, workers at a Caterpillar factory in the city of Grenoble held company officials for 24 hours, releasing them only after President Nicolas Sarkozy promised he would “save the site.’’
See?
But Guy Groux, a specialist on French unions at the Institut d’Etudes Politiques in Paris, said most threats are not taken at face value because any union following through on a violent act would lose public support.
Which is why the term "agent provocateur" is French?
“The trade unions’ essential goal is to draw attention to their plight,’’ he said. “Where before workers were fighting to keep their jobs, here they are resigned to being fired, but they’re fighting for the best severance they can get.’’
--more--"
Also see (second item down): French Fool Costs U.S. Taxpayers 80 Grand
