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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2009
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Sarko Jeered at African Leader's Funeral

French president booed, taunted in Gabon

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(Newser) – Crowds in the African nation of Gabon booed Nicolas Sarkozy at the funeral of the country's long-serving strongman president, Omar Bongo. Dozens of onlookers shouted "We don't want you, leave!" at the French leader and his predecessor, Jacques Chirac. France ruled Gabon in the colonial era and kept close ties to the oil-rich nation after independence.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy and former French President Jacques Chirac lay flowers in front of the coffin of late Gabonese president Omar Bongo yesterday.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy and former French President Jacques Chirac lay flowers in front of the coffin of late Gabonese president Omar Bongo yesterday.   (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)
Nicolas Sarkozy and Jacques Chirac were greeted with taunts and boos at the funeral of Omar Bongo.
Nicolas Sarkozy and Jacques Chirac were greeted with taunts and boos at the funeral of Omar Bongo.   (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)
The coffin of Gabonese President Omar Bongo is carried by pallbearers seen en route to the airport at Libreville, Gabon, yesterday.
The coffin of Gabonese President Omar Bongo is carried by pallbearers seen en route to the airport at Libreville, Gabon, yesterday.   (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)
African heads of state and France's president lay wreaths beside the coffin of Gabon's late leader Omar Bongo at his official state funeral.
African heads of state and France's president lay wreaths beside the coffin of Gabon's late leader Omar Bongo at his official state funeral.   (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)
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4 comments
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mindgammon
Jun 17, 09 5:48 AM CDT
that was very rude...wasnt it? Reply
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+1
Alexandria
Jun 17, 09 8:31 AM CDT
Wow. Have some class when you're supposed to be honoring the dead. It's not about politics at that point or personal agendas, it's about grieving and remembering someone who passed away. Reply
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-1
Fondue
Jun 17, 09 8:32 AM CDT
I do not know their history so I'll just refrain from any opinion. Reply
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+6
Rob
Jun 17, 09 9:18 AM CDT
The French gave Gabon independence in 1960. When the French left they took all the records and easily removed infrastructure -- like telephone wires – with them. They left the Gabonese buried in a bureaucracy without reason or instruction to run it. It was not an easy transition. That’s said, the CFA, the local currency, has been supported for years by the French Franc when it was basically without value. Reply
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