I believe the French led force is there under a specific UN mandate.

This whole peacekeeping affair seems to be the making of a complete farce. NPR described the happenings there, yesterday. Apparently they are under asinine ROE such as this: If civilians are being attacked by one of the warring faction, the peacekeepers may only respond in numbers equal to those of the faction. Apparently a "show of force" also consisted of moving out a few hundred yards and returning to base. If anyone can fill any gaps from my 24-hour recollection of a radio news show, feel free to pile on. I’m working off memory while at work. My own feelings about the French government aside, I'm afraid a lot of Frenchmen are going to get greased at some point, due to some bureaucrats with little grasp of reality. What good is it to send these troops in to act as glorified window dressing and get killed in the process?

The Congo, along with Iran and North Korea has long been added to my list of "Countries I Thank God Daily I Don't Have To Deal With." The whole place is a complete mess with a massively brutalised population. This thing has been going on for years.

I agree. The ethnic groups of Sub-Saharan Africa transcend the colonial boundaries that currently make up the continent. It’s probably not a whole lot different than Yugoslavia, just encompassing far more territory. Add to this the feudal/warlord mentality of those in charge and you’ve got a real mess.

SG, I know the Fing UN sent them in, It's just kind of funny that no body mentions it. Imagine if the US were called to go in to the congo, every wako hippy and his sister would be up in rainbow arms. I was just mirroring the situation.

I really don't think they would, if they had the same UN mandate as exists now for the Congo.

SG, you don't think they would be up in arms? If the US moves up or down these anti american hippys jump on the chance to protest. They deny the truth and go for putting down the US at any opertunity. we call this envy

I think you're wrong AI... At least in my opinion... Did the the French fo the the security council asking for action, and being refused that decided to go anyway ??? Nooooope... And in the meantime we evacuate your diplomats ( sorry that was in Liberia...)

JCH so your telling me as long as the UN advocates action these peace activist will go along with it? ohh the Hypocracy

On this issue I am willing to give the French the benefit of the doubt. Practically any aegis that the French use as a mandate to send troops to the Congo is useful. Why quibble if their actions have UN backing or not? As to what the anti-war crowd would or would not do given a certain circumstance - Who cares? Anybody who opposes intervention in Congo should be happy thinking about the fear, pain and death which is the daily experience of millions of Congolese.