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Reports the statement by French President Jacques Chirac that France had no intention of staying in Cote d'Ivoire unless it was wanted there. Chirac's visit to the 23rd Bima French military base in Dakar; Decision of Paris to unblock the pensions of former African combatants; Policing of a buffer zone with the northern half of Cote d'Ivoire.

Reports on the relations of Cote d'Ivoire with France. French president Jacques Chirac's accusation to president Laurent Gbagbo of xenophobia and fascism; Gbagbo's claim that France supported the rebels to overthrow the legitimate government and had acted in a high-handed and unilateral way by destroying the Ivorian military air fleet; France's counterattack which raises concerns about the European power's real motives.

Reports that British Prime Minister Tony Blair has been working with French President Jacques Chirac to create a European Union rapid reaction force that could be deployed to trouble spots in Africa. Development of joint battle groups that can carry combat missions; Britain's training of African Union troops.