Guinea slams France over interference

Tue Oct 6, 2009

Guinea's leader has lashed out at France for seeking intervention in the west African state, saying his country does not take orders from its former colonial power.

"Guinea is not a sub-prefecture (administrative district) of France," he told the France 24 news channel on Monday, responding to remarks by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner.

On Sunday, Kouchner had called for an 'international intervention' in Guinea, following a recent government crackdown on protesters, which left at least 135 people dead.

He had also said that he believes the former French colony is on the brink of a 'tremendous' civil war and had emphasized that Paris could no longer work with the government of Captain Moussa Dadis Camara.

He also called the crackdown as 'something terrible and savage'.

Camara has dismissed Kouchner's comments saying that he would not enter into dialogue with him, as he was merely a foreign minister.

On September 28, Guinean security forces opened fire on demonstrators in the capital's main stadium, during a protest against the prospect of Camara becoming a candidate in presidential elections set for January 31.

While regretting the recent bloodbath, the junta leader, who rose to power in a December 23 coup, has said he bears 'no responsibility' for the massacre.

Also on Monday, Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore, tasked by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to act as a 'facilitator', arrived in Conakry to ease tensions in Guinea.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://edition.presstv.ir/detail/107965.html.