Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bouake (Fides Service)- “Only God gives security. All the missionaries stayed at their posts with the people” a missionary in Bouake, the ‘capital’ of the area controlled by the New Forces rebels told Fides. “This morning at 8am telephones were reconnected and so were water and electricity supplies after being cut for 9 days. Electricity is gradually returning all over the city, the first area to be reconnected was the hospital zone” the missionary told Fides. “This is thanks to French troops who have reactivated the city generators”.
On 6 November, government aircraft bombed the military base of the French peacekeeping mission in Bouake triggering a crisis between Paris and President Gbagbo. “I witnessed the strike” the local source told Fides. “The planes were flying very low and could hardly have mistaken the target. It is true, near the French base there was a group of rebels which, some say, tried to take shelter in the French base, but whatever the case, there is no question that the pilots could see what they were doing” the source told Fides.
Nine French soldiers and an American civilian were killed in the strike. “I knew the American who was killed - the missionary told Fides -. He was a co-worker who arrived in Bouake on November 4. Seeing the tense situation he had asked the French troops if he could stay at their base while waiting to be evacuated. He was playing cards with two friends when the strike started in the afternoon of November 6. The American was fatally hit in the head and died instantly, whereas the other two men were only slightly injured” the missionary recalled.
“The rebels say that the strike, launched by two aircraft piloted by Ukrainian mercenaries, was to be followed by first fighter helicopters and ground troops which would then take the city. It was the French reaction which destroyed most of the Ivorian air fleet which stopped what would have been slaughter, the rebels say” the missionary said. “Perhaps this is why the rebels have not attacked the French base at Bouake, even though in the south French bases are under siege by supporters of President Gbagbo”.
Water and electricity supplies have resumed also in Korhogo, north of Bouake and an Ivorian delegation has arrived in South Africa to take part in peace talks mediate by South Africa’s President Mbeki. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 12/11/2004 righe 37 parole 455)
