Radio France Internationale Daily Press Review

Toqueville Connection ^ | April 4, 2003 | Michelle Walliker

[WaterDragon]

As coalition troops approach central Baghdad, today's papers devote a great deal of attention to the looming battle in the Iraqi capital. Le Monde reports that United States authorities have given commander General Tommy Franks the green light to launch an attack on Baghdad any day he sees fit.

Paris, Friday, April 4, 2003 - The GI's: at the Gates of Baghdad, proclaims Libération's headline. A erie photograph show the remains of a bombed communications centre in the capital. A statue of Iraqi leader Sadam Hussein stands defiantly over the rubble. It remains intact for the time being. France's Prime Minister Jean Pierre Raffarin appeared on French television last night. He said the United States decision to attack Iraq was a mistake. On the home front, Raffarin tried to reassure his compatriots that everything would be OK for France, despite falling growth, a bloated budget and an angry public sector. The prime minister said he had come to speak the truth. He promised to cut taxes in 2004 and pledged to stand by the European Union's budget rules.

But Aujourd'hui en France is skeptical. The daily says Raffarin's TV appearance was a shambles, espcially concerning pension reform. Raffarin plans to modernise the state pension system and France's public sector workers are worried. The changes could mean they would have to work for longer to be eligible for a state pension. Around 300,000 of them took to the streets of French cities on Wednesday to voice their concerns.

But, says Aujourd'hui en France, the prime minister was unable to respond to their questions. Instead, he was resolute. He vowed to present the pension reform to parliament by the summer.

Tiken Jah Fakoly has won a prestigious prize for his latest album, FRANCE AFRIQUE and Le Monde takes up the story. The Ivorian singer recently picked up best album at the Victoires de la Musique awards. The ceremony was an ideal podium to voice his concerns about his country. He told the audience that, Young Africans like myself are angry to see that there are still French army bases in Cote D'Ivoire, forty years after our independence from France. It seems music is nothing without ideas for Tiken Jah Fakoly.

For previous days recaps of French news, click here.

[WaterDragon]

The French are in big trouble economically and the fall of Saddam isn't going to help. They will, as usual, try to blame the US for their problems.

That last bit about the Ivory Coast -- France, it's vaunted dedication to international law excepts itself, always.

[Bismark]

I know the French are always late, but four days? Do they only update that site once a week?

[WaterDragon]

It's an American-run site. In fact, if you run it down, it has connections with the CIA.