Stories about France from December, 2008
Is France ready for a black president?
In the age of Obama, is France ready for a Black president? and Eugene Ebode, guest blogging on Alain Mabanckou, write about political diversity in France.
Former Tunisian Diplomat Sentenced To 8 Years By French Court
Khaled Ben Said, an ex-vice-consul in Strasbourg, was convicted of having ordered acts of torture and barbary upon fellow countrywoman Zulaikha Gharbi when a police superintendent in the Tunisian city of Jendouba 12 years ago, and sentenced to 8 years imprisonment by a criminal court in this same Strasbourg, by the way the seat of the European Court of Human Rights.
Madagascar: France responds to alleged censorship of “47” play
Pierre Maury reports that French authorities have responded to the accusation of censorhip of “47” a historic independence play created by Jean-Luc Raharimanana and Thierry Bedard. Victoire Bidegain Di Rosa, advisor to the French ministry of Culture explains that the subject of the play is not necessarily of interest to...
Turkey: Dario Moreno
Mavi Boncuk posts a profile of musician Dario Moreno, most noted for his career in France, he was actually a Turk with Jewish origins.
Madagascar: French Authorities Censor Play on Historic Independence Battle
A theater performance to commemorate a historical date in the battle for independence of Madagascar, March 29, 1947 has been banned without explanation in the Southern region of Africa the Indian Ocean by French regional authorities. Discussion of the play and its subject matter continues on the internet.
China: More on Boycotting French Goods
ESWN translated a few articles reflecting on the call for French goods boycott.
China and France: Boycott of French Goods
On December 1, an article appeared in China.com urging a nationwide boycott against French product in order to protest against the meeting between French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Dalai Lama. The post advised consumers not to buy about 50 French brands, including cars, clothes, alcohol and skin-care products. Commentaries from...
Lawsuit takes aim at Francafrique
Cellule Francafrique [Fr] reports on a new lawsuit filed against the presidents of Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and the Republic of the Congo in a court in Paris last week. The suit, brought by Transparency International and a Gabonese taxpayer, accuses the three heads of state of “concealing misappropriated public funds”.
China: Punishes France and EU
A letter to editor at the Fool's Mountain commenting on the cancellation of China-EU summit in France.
Russia: Putin's Crude Remark; Paul Klebnikov's Fund Event
Sean Guillory of Sean's Russia Blog posts a graphic illustration for yet another one of PM Putin's crude remarks and writes about the Paul Klebnikov Fund’s event: “What is Russia Thinking? The Word from the Last of the Independent Media.”