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French Forces in Djibouti Fear Terrorist Attacks in Horn of Africa

Shabelle Media Network (Mogadishu)
NEWS
November 22, 2006
Posted to the web November 22, 2006

By Aweys Osman Yusuf
Mogadishu
Michel Ora, the commander of French forces in the Horn of African country of
Djibouti, has voiced concerns that French forces in Djibouti could face
terrorist attacks from the Horn of Africa, stopping short if there were
terrorist elements in Djibouti's neighboring country Somalia where Islamists
took control of most of the country.
The commander said the political discord in Somalia could trigger an all out
war that would spread in the entire region, urging the international community
to help the Somali people build their own government that collapsed early 90s.
The French commander's remarks came days after the United Nations special envoy
for Somalia had arrived in the country, convincing the interim powerless
government top officials to negotiate with the Union of Islamic Courts.
Peace talks between the government and Islamists failed early this month as
both negotiating groups could not compromise over conditions they presented
before the talks opened.
The commander also said they had no reliable data indicating that al- Qaeda
elements are in Somalia.
The United States however says there are al-Qaeda related elements in Somalia.
.


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