Tuesday April 05 2011
The United Nations launched air attacks last night against Laurent Gbagbo, the Ivory Coast
strongman who has refused to relinquish power, in retaliation for "mindless" attacks on its
personnel and civilians.According to witnesses, four missiles were fired from UN helicopters
at one of Mr Gbagbo's strongholds in Abidjan, the economic capital.
Choi Young-jin, the UN's special representative in the Ivory Coast, said 11 of its peacekeepers
had been wounded by gunshots and its forces were now living "under siege, in a bunker"
because of deliberate targeting by Mr Gbagbo's supporters.
Speaking as the army of Alassane Ouattara, the internationally recognised victor of
November's elections, launched what it promised would be a "rapid assault" on
Mr Gbagbo's stronghold, he said the UN did not have the mandate to remove
Mr Gbagbo but that it could act to protect itself and civilians.
"We can no longer condone their (Mr Gbagbo's forces) reckless and mindless
attacks on civilians and the United Nations blue helmets with heavy weapons," Mr Choi said.
"We will be using our air assets," he added.
End of Story
Dr. Gloria Emeagwali
www.africahistory.net
www.esnips.com/web/GloriaEmeagwali
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