Jim Inhofe: “first of all, I wish to compliment my good friend, Senator Coons from Delaware, for something he has done recently along…”

“first of all, I wish to compliment my good friend, Senator Coons from Delaware, for something he has done recently along with Senator Isakson as the chairman and the ranking member of the African Subcommittee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. They have responded to my request to have a hearing on the tragedies and what is taking place right now in Cote d'Ivoire. Let me mention, there is only one thing I take issue with in the letter that has gone out to make the request. One sentence says: Mr. Gbagbo has sought to forcefully thwart the will of the Ouattaran people and his forces, reportedly, including mercenaries, who have targeted innocent civilians, including women, as well as United Nations missions. I only want to get into the Record--I have already done this. I have given three very lengthy speeches about what is happening over there. I have been there, I am sure, more than any other Member of the Senate. I would say that if you read the Guardian, the British Guardian, in their--I am quoting now--two big slaughters have taken place, one in a small western town called Duekoue and another in Abidjan, the capital. The article says: The UN mission said traditional hunters, known as Dozos, fought alongside Ouattara's forces. Let's keep in mind who we are talking about here.…”