More troops planned for African nation
BANGUI, Central African Republic – France and the African Union on Saturday announced plans to deploy several thousand more troops into embattled Central African Republic, as thousands of Christians fearing reprisal attacks sought refuge from the Muslim former rebels who now control the country after days of violence left nearly 400 people dead – and possibly more.
French-armored personnel carriers and troops from an AU-backed peacekeeping mission roared at high speed down Bangui’s major roads, as families carrying palm fronds pushed coffins in carts on the road’s shoulder. In a sign of the mounting tensions, others walking briskly on the streets carried bow-and-arrows and machetes.
Concluding an aptly-timed and long-planned conference on African security in Paris, President François Hollande said France was raising its deployment to 1,600 on Saturday – 400 more than first announced. Later, after a meeting of regional nations about Central African Republic, his office said that African Union nations agreed to increase their total deployment to 6,000 – up from about 2,500 now, and nearly double the projected rollout of 3,600 by year-end.
Hagel given assurances on Afghan security deal
KABUL, Afghanistan – Pentagon chief Chuck Hagel said Saturday he received assurances from Afghanistan’s defense minister that a stalled security agreement with the United States would be signed in “a very timely manner.”
But in a highly unusual move, Hagel chose not to meet with President Hamid Karzai, who is holding up a pact that Washington and NATO officials say is needed to plan for a post-2014 training and counterterrorism mission expected to involve thousands of troops.
Hagel said he did not think additional pressure from U.S. officials would be helpful or persuade Karzai to sign the bilateral security agreement according to the U.S. timetable – by the end of December. Karzai says he wants his successor to decide after the April 5 elections.
It was not immediately clear whether Karzai might perceive Hagel’s decision as a personal affront or rather a snub by an exasperated Americans dignitary. But this was one of the few times a visiting defense secretary had skipped seeing Karzai during the last decade of war.
Ukraine protesters want government fired
KIEV, Ukraine – Ukraine’s opposition, preparing for what it hopes will be a gigantic protest rally today, says it will negotiate with President Viktor Yanukovych only if he fires the government and appoints a new one committed to deepening European integration.
About 20,000 demonstrators crowded into Kiev’s Independence Square on a windy and snowy night Saturday, but organizers of the protests, which are now in their third week, are calling for a massive turnout today. A throng estimated at 300,000 or more showed up for a similar rally a week ago.
That turnout reflected wide anger about police violence against demonstrators the previous two days, and there are no signs that anger has dissipated. The square holds an extensive tent camp for protesters, including field kitchens, and demonstrators are occupying two nearby buildings, one of them functioning as an improvised opposition headquarters and media center.
Antarctic race involving Prince Harry curtailed
LONDON – Organizers of an Antarctic charity race involving Prince Harry said Saturday they are suspending its competitive element because of harsh conditions, but plan to continue the journey to the South Pole.
Harry, 29, is a member of one of three teams involving injured soldiers that set off last week on the 200-mile Walking with the Wounded South Pole Challenge.
Expedition director Ed Parker said the teams were experiencing “a higher degree of stress” than expected and will no longer race one another but travel and camp together.
In a recorded message on the organization’s website, Parker said the teams had “a pretty tricky couple of days. The weather remains good but the terrain is very difficult, far harder than we had anticipated.”
He said the teams would now be driven for part of the route and then finish the final 70 miles to the pole on foot, likely within a week.
Associated Press
