MALI conflict

[juddy]

Looks like this is getting bigger every day. The UK were only suppling airlift, they have now committed troops and Sentinel R1 Aircraft, plus a ro-ro ship.

The US have said no troops will be on the ground..

Not true
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/01/74.jpg

Cant really hide a Hummer.

Plus nice to see the french using land rovers, I have never seen the SF type before.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/01/75.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/01/76.jpg

[sashadidi]

Sad that they destroyed the old stuff in Timbuktu, I visited there in my trans africa trip in 1980s ( in a Landy!!!) and it was such an amazing place in some ways, so full of history and now some of that history is destroyed. Good to see the french army give them a lesson but I doubt it will work long term as there are many inherit problems in that region involving tribes, money and land etc.

[steane]

VIva la France!

[Eevo]

best of luck to our Mali and French friends.

[FFR]

I was working for the Spanish Systems Integrator that installed the radios, ILS, VOR and ATC tower positions at Bamako Airport. It was a very corrupt country (like most of Africa) but it was "reasonably" quiet and safe. Some of the project budget was for "representation expenses", which was the "aka" for everyday bribing expenses. At that time I was working in a coastal radar system in Gabon, and it was the same thing with bribes.

Very sad to see what is happening. But I think that it will happen again. In fact, I'm convinced that it will happen in more countries, at different levels.

[juddy]

You will never eradicate the corruption thats goes on in some of these counties.

Is been like it for years...

[Eevo]

You will never eradicate the corruption thats goes on in some of these counties.

Is been like it for years...

its a way of life over there
just like tipping is in the USA

(actually i see the two as quite similar)