At last our generals must hold some accountability for their actions
Sure, the gesture is political, as we try not to piss of the locals, but it's a nice change of pace.
A broad inquiry about the situation in Ivory Coast uncovers, among other things, the death of one of our prisoners, and the fact that Gen. Poncet, then leader of the military operation, tried to cover it up.
Not only has the guy been suspended, he's been publically suspended, and that news gets discussed in France. That's quite new: for a long time, military issues barely belonged to the public opinion, unless they were huge. And the military was known for its secrecy.
It is also surprising (and bold) that the minister of defense decided to punish the general, instead of scapegoating the lowliest grunt involved in the matter. When I'm reading these news, I'm thinking that maybe democracy does mean something![Smile](https://apolyton.net/core/images/smilies/smile.gif)
From the BBC:
![thumbs-up](https://apolyton.net/core/images/smilies/thumbs-up.gif)
A broad inquiry about the situation in Ivory Coast uncovers, among other things, the death of one of our prisoners, and the fact that Gen. Poncet, then leader of the military operation, tried to cover it up.
Not only has the guy been suspended, he's been publically suspended, and that news gets discussed in France. That's quite new: for a long time, military issues barely belonged to the public opinion, unless they were huge. And the military was known for its secrecy.
It is also surprising (and bold) that the minister of defense decided to punish the general, instead of scapegoating the lowliest grunt involved in the matter. When I'm reading these news, I'm thinking that maybe democracy does mean something
![Smile](https://apolyton.net/core/images/smilies/smile.gif)
From the BBC:
French suspend general over death
The former commander of French troops in Ivory Coast has been suspended for allegedly covering up the death of an Ivorian held by French forces.
Gen Henri Poncet and two other soldiers - who were also suspended - committed "serious breaches" of military law and orders, the defence ministry said.
The death occurred in May, when the three were stationed in Ivory Coast as part of France's peacekeeping mission.
Gen Poncet commanded the force from May 2004 to June this year.
The 4,000-strong French contingent, supported by UN troops, is enforcing a fragile truce between northern rebels and the government.
The country has been divided in half since the rebels tried to overthrow President Laurent Gbagbo in September 2002.
The former commander of French troops in Ivory Coast has been suspended for allegedly covering up the death of an Ivorian held by French forces.
Gen Henri Poncet and two other soldiers - who were also suspended - committed "serious breaches" of military law and orders, the defence ministry said.
The death occurred in May, when the three were stationed in Ivory Coast as part of France's peacekeeping mission.
Gen Poncet commanded the force from May 2004 to June this year.
The 4,000-strong French contingent, supported by UN troops, is enforcing a fragile truce between northern rebels and the government.
The country has been divided in half since the rebels tried to overthrow President Laurent Gbagbo in September 2002.
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