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Latest update: 24/12/2008 

In the papers
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FRANCE 24 journalists present a daily round-up of the world's newspapers
By Clovis CASALI (text)
Mail and Guardian (South Africa)
 
The South African newspaper says the problem with Guinea is that Lansana Conte never groomed a successor. The military was a key pillar of President Conte’s rule and it now remains to be seen how it will act.
 
 
Guinée news (Guinea)
 
Journalists from Guinée news report that shots were fired in the Alpha Yaya camp of Conakry where the mutinous soldiers are based. There appears to be a power struggle to determine who will lead the putsch. Two men are keen to seize leadership: Commander Konaté and General Toto Camara
 
 
Liberation (France)
 
French paper Liberation says Guinea is now in the hands of the army. One major problem in attempting to understand the crisis is the lack of journalists reporting from the West African country. “Uncertainty” and “confusion” are the two key words for the time being.
 
 
The Guardian (Britain)
 
Just like Liberation, the Guardian highlights the uncertainty of the situation while stressing that Lansana Conte leaves behind one of Africa’s least democratic nations, despite staging regular elections. “He kept a ruthless and sometimes bloody grip on power,” says the British daily. Once questioned about police brutality he answered “la justice c’est moi”, meaning nothing less than “I am the law”.
 
 
Le Soleil (Senegal)
  
Senegalese paper le Soleil says Christmas celebrations have a bitter taste this year, the streets are empty and people very careful with their money. The price of Christmas trees has been slashed by half. Still it’s not enough with buyers reluctant to spend too much on decorations. One Senegalese woman says it’s because living costs have risen sharply.
 
 
La Tribune (France)
 
 
The financial crisis is clearly affecting the purchasing power of everyone and business paper La Tribune has decided for once not to talk about it. Actually the French newspaper has promised not to mention the word “crisis” in today’s edition. It might help readers spend a more relaxed Christmas without thinking of the money spent on presents.
 
 
New York Times (United States of America)
 
Mexicans are going north to find cheaper presents, meaning they head to the US and Arizona in particular. The New York Times met with some Mexican families who cross the border and despite the heavy traffic are happy to do so. Two reasons are put forward: selection and price. One interesting figure: Mexican tourists spend close to 1 billion dollars in Arizona - far more than the 330 million Arizonans spend in Mexico. Not surprising then that a high priority of businesses in Tucson Arizona is to make Mexican shoppers feel welcome.
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