In the papers
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Saturday, April 12, 2008
By Clovis CASALI/ FRANCE 24
LIBERATION
“échec aux pirates”
Usually Liberation is highly critical of President Sarkozy, but not this time. The paper writes that for once he hasn’t exploited this success for political ends. Liberation offers a detailed account of what happened since the start of the hostage taking. The eight-day ordeal ended with the capture of the six pirates. What will happen to them? The military has stated that they will be transferred to France via Djibouti to be judged by a French court.
THE INDEPENDENT
“French commandos seize Somali pirates after yacht hostages freed”
The journalist says that the French government “must bear the blame for the confusion surrounding the raid…” The pirates were attacked by French helicopters after they had released the 30 hostages and obtained the 2 million dollar ransom they wanted. French officials would surely say that the end justifies the means, According to Admiral Guillard, this is the first time an act of piracy in this area has been resolved so quickly.
LA LIBERTE
An FBI office is opening in Algiers, infuriating some Algerian politicians. The explanation put forward by the Interior ministry to justify the presence of this FBI bureau in the capital. Zerhouni answered some angry questions from MP’ in Parliament, and the bottom line of his argument is that it’s just part of the strategy of the war on terror. To crackdown on terrorists, the Interior minister says there’s a need for cooperation between the different intelligence services, and the US can’t of course be ignored. Especially since this cooperation has helped reduce crimes by 5% in Algeria..
LE FIGARO
“Les embarras judicaires de Ségolène Royal”
Ségolène Royal is in an uneasy position. After a ten year judicial battle, two of her former assistants have won their case in court against her. She was accused of failing to pay them for months. Not the best of all news for Royal as she’s trying to take control with her entourage of the French socialist party. Royal is currently in India and le Figaro has a picture of her with the Dalai lama’s sister. She’s campaigning for a boycott of the Beijing Olympic games. She believes democracies should threaten to boycott the games altogether even if they do attend them in the end.
SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
”Catwalk closed to the kittens “
It’s fashion week in Australia, and according to journalists, a planeload of teenage eastern Europeans arrived for the event. But Sydney has finally decided to forbid very young models from taking part in these fashion shows. Sydney is now in line with London, which bans models aged under16. Still, the journalist complains that it took the Australians 12 years to catch up with their favorite cousins.
