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France shocked by images of war | France shocked by images of war |
(about 19 hours later) | |
By Emma Jane Kirby BBC News, Paris Staring out from a glossy eight-page spread in the latest edition of the magazine Paris Match, several Taleban fighters show off their trophies of war. | By Emma Jane Kirby BBC News, Paris Staring out from a glossy eight-page spread in the latest edition of the magazine Paris Match, several Taleban fighters show off their trophies of war. |
The loss of the 10 soldiers in Afghanistan shocked France | The loss of the 10 soldiers in Afghanistan shocked France |
Guns, walkie-talkies and even a wrist-watch are photographed - all spoils taken from the 10 French soldiers they killed in an ambush last month. | Guns, walkie-talkies and even a wrist-watch are photographed - all spoils taken from the 10 French soldiers they killed in an ambush last month. |
Accompanying the pictures is a long interview with the Taleban leader who calls himself Commander Farouki. | Accompanying the pictures is a long interview with the Taleban leader who calls himself Commander Farouki. |
He claims they were tipped off about the French mission in their area and were able to prepare an ambush with 140 highly trained insurgents. | He claims they were tipped off about the French mission in their area and were able to prepare an ambush with 140 highly trained insurgents. |
"If night hadn't fallen we'd have killed every one of the soldiers," he boasts. | "If night hadn't fallen we'd have killed every one of the soldiers," he boasts. |
He denies reports that other French paratroopers were captured and tortured but warns that every single French soldier found on Afghan soil will be killed. | He denies reports that other French paratroopers were captured and tortured but warns that every single French soldier found on Afghan soil will be killed. |
Propaganda | Propaganda |
On French radio today, Defence Minister Herve Morin criticised Paris Match for peddling Taleban propaganda. | On French radio today, Defence Minister Herve Morin criticised Paris Match for peddling Taleban propaganda. |
"Should we really be doing the Taleban's propaganda for them?" he asked. | "Should we really be doing the Taleban's propaganda for them?" he asked. |
"The Taleban have understood perfectly that Western public opinion is probably the Achilles' heel of the international community present in Afghanistan." | "The Taleban have understood perfectly that Western public opinion is probably the Achilles' heel of the international community present in Afghanistan." |
A diplomat from the foreign ministry said it was the responsibility of the media to decide what they covered and how they did it, but added: "The reactions of the families of the servicemen speak for themselves". | A diplomat from the foreign ministry said it was the responsibility of the media to decide what they covered and how they did it, but added: "The reactions of the families of the servicemen speak for themselves". |
"We can only imagine the pain that they felt when they saw these pictures, as well as that of the comrades of these men who are still in Afghanistan." | "We can only imagine the pain that they felt when they saw these pictures, as well as that of the comrades of these men who are still in Afghanistan." |
The French population can't accept to see any more soldiers killed Jean Francois, Parisian | The French population can't accept to see any more soldiers killed Jean Francois, Parisian |
The father of one of the dead soldiers said he was shocked and hurt to see images of the "murderers" parading the personal effects of his son and comrades. | The father of one of the dead soldiers said he was shocked and hurt to see images of the "murderers" parading the personal effects of his son and comrades. |
Although the freedom of the press is fiercely protected in France, in Paris many people were outraged at what they believed was irresponsibility on the part of Paris Match. | Although the freedom of the press is fiercely protected in France, in Paris many people were outraged at what they believed was irresponsibility on the part of Paris Match. |
"It makes me sick," said one woman who was close to tears. | "It makes me sick," said one woman who was close to tears. |
"I think about how the parents must feel, the sisters and the brothers⦠and really⦠I would hate to see this if this was my son." | "I think about how the parents must feel, the sisters and the brothers⦠and really⦠I would hate to see this if this was my son." |
Jean Francois, a financial adviser, agreed. | Jean Francois, a financial adviser, agreed. |
"This kind of report is horrible and unfair for the families," he said. | "This kind of report is horrible and unfair for the families," he said. |
"The French population can't accept to see any more soldiers killed. French soldiers have to come back to France as soon as possible." | "The French population can't accept to see any more soldiers killed. French soldiers have to come back to France as soon as possible." |
War opposed | War opposed |
A survey taken in April this year when President Nicolas Sarkozy announced he was sending another battalion of almost 800 soldiers to north-east Afghanistan showed that two-thirds of people here believe their country has no place in the Afghan conflict. | A survey taken in April this year when President Nicolas Sarkozy announced he was sending another battalion of almost 800 soldiers to north-east Afghanistan showed that two-thirds of people here believe their country has no place in the Afghan conflict. |
Despite Mr Sarkozy's insistence that France is fighting a battle against terror in Afghanistan, many people here feel they have just been sucked into Uncle Sam's war. | Despite Mr Sarkozy's insistence that France is fighting a battle against terror in Afghanistan, many people here feel they have just been sucked into Uncle Sam's war. |
Earlier this week, the mother of another of the French paratroopers killed in the 18 August attack told the news magazine Le Nouvel Observateur that she had written a letter to Mr Sarkozy, begging him to get France out of the war. | Earlier this week, the mother of another of the French paratroopers killed in the 18 August attack told the news magazine Le Nouvel Observateur that she had written a letter to Mr Sarkozy, begging him to get France out of the war. |
President Sarkozy led mourners at the soldiers' funeral | President Sarkozy led mourners at the soldiers' funeral |
"Stop following the example of President Bush," she wrote. "Let's stay French. Let's get our soldiers out of the quagmire." | "Stop following the example of President Bush," she wrote. "Let's stay French. Let's get our soldiers out of the quagmire." |
Last month's ambush was France's worst single military loss in 25 years. As well as those killed, another 21 soldiers were injured. | Last month's ambush was France's worst single military loss in 25 years. As well as those killed, another 21 soldiers were injured. |
Until then there had been little news coverage of the French mission, although some 3,000 of the country's troops are currently serving in Afghanistan. | Until then there had been little news coverage of the French mission, although some 3,000 of the country's troops are currently serving in Afghanistan. |
But being confronted with full-page, glossy photographs of the insurgents who killed their troops is bound to rekindle arguments about what France's role in Afghanistan really is. | But being confronted with full-page, glossy photographs of the insurgents who killed their troops is bound to rekindle arguments about what France's role in Afghanistan really is. |
The French parliament has called for an urgent debate on the matter but on Thursday Mr Sarkozy - while acknowledging the difficulties and dangers endured by French troops - insisted they would not abandon their mission. | The French parliament has called for an urgent debate on the matter but on Thursday Mr Sarkozy - while acknowledging the difficulties and dangers endured by French troops - insisted they would not abandon their mission. |
"If we abandon Afghanistan, we'll destabilise Pakistan," he warned. | "If we abandon Afghanistan, we'll destabilise Pakistan," he warned. |
"And I'd like to remind you that Pakistan has nuclear capabilities." | "And I'd like to remind you that Pakistan has nuclear capabilities." |
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