Word: french
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...economic integration being advocated by Sarkozy is not exactly selfless, however; it's entirely compatible with advancing France's economic interests and its waning political influence across the continent. The DRC, which is the size of Western Europe and is the world's largest French-speaking nation, is also fantastically rich in resources, and could logically be expected to partner with France when restored stability allows economic and industrial development to begin in earnest. Exchanges between the two countries now stand at a modest $250 million per year; but that might be boosted as a result of a trip...
...There may be a second political purpose served by Sarkozy's proposal for the sharing of resources between nations whose size and natural riches vary drastically: wooing Rwandan leaders hostile to Paris. Most of Rwanda's Tutsi-dominated government still blame French conniving with - or outright support of - the Hutu militias that conducted the 1994 genocide. In 2006, Rwanda formally broke off ties with France; Sarkozy has made restoring the relationship a foreign policy priority. (See pictures of Sarkozy...
...rupture came after French legal investigators indicted nine members of Rwanda's government - and implicated President Paul Kagame - for alleged complicity in the political assassinations that proceeded the Hutu genocide of Rwandan Tutsis. The indictments also charge those officials with acts aimed at amplifying the slaughter of their fellow Tutsis. Rwanda rejects those charges as seeking to cover what they describe as France's involvement in aiding, arming, and assisting the Hutu genocide effort, insisting Paris wants to cleanse its own guilt by casting Tutsi rebels who halted the massacre as the culprits behind it. Critics...
...Sarkozy also plans to visit Brazzaville, capital of the neighboring Republic of Congo, and Niger, in search of business opportunities for French companies. French commentators have noted how such business-as-usual tightness with African cronies, whose track record on democracy and human rights often leaves much to be desired, contrasts with Sarkozy's earlier pledges to break with Paris' traditional Françafrique policy of turning a blind eye to authoritarianism and corruption to maintain healthy relations with stable African allies. (See pictures of the Pope's recent visit to Africa...
...reaction of Le Pen's fellow MEPs was one of indignation and rage. Backed by a huge majority of legislators, the push to deny the French politician his moment as president now looks a virtual certainty. "Mr Le Pen's negationist remarks, reiterated once again in the European Parliament, disqualify him from chairing the inaugural session of our institution for even a second," said Joseph Daul, the French leader of the Christian Democrats in the parliament. "In this symbol of the reconciliation of European people, it would be an extremely bad signal for our citizens and the world," agreed Martin...