COTE D'IVOIRE: President Ouattara request an investigation by the ICC

The Ivorian president Alassane Ouattara has asked the prosecutor to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate "the most serious crimes" committed in Côte d'Ivoire since November 28, 2010, in a letter dated May 3, published on Wednesday the site of the Court.

"By this I mean I wish to confirm that your office leads in Côte d'Ivoire independent and impartial investigations on the most serious crimes committed since 28 November 2010 on the entire Ivorian territory," saysOuattara's letter.

He wants the prosecutor's office "should ensure that those who bear the greatest criminal responsibility for serious crimes are identified, prosecuted and brought before the International Criminal Court."

The Ivorian Minister of Justice has already "taken steps to shed light on a number of offenses," saysOuattara, but he adds, "the Ivorian justice is, to date, not best placed to handle the most serious crimes committed in recent months."

The Ivorian president Alassane Ouattara, in power since the April 11 arrest of Laurent Gbagbo, had said in mid-April that he would ask the ICC to "initiate investigations" into the massacres that occurred in Western countries.

The ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo for his part said on May 3 in New York that his services were preparing an application to open a judicial investigation in Côte d'Ivoire on the massacres.

JAPAN - FUKUSHIMA: The building of a reactor explored for the first time since the accident

Workers entered Thursday in the reactor building number 1 on the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (northeast) for the first time since the explosion occurred in the aftermath of the tsunami of March 11, announced the Japanese operator of the plant .

Two workers, equipped with protective suits and oxygen tanks, entered the building, as part of an operation to set up a ventilation system to reduce the level of radioactivity.

"This is the first time that our employees enter the reactor building since the explosion," said Satoshi Watanabe, a spokesman for Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO).

Japanese power company said it intended to send at least 12 workers in the day to start up the ventilation system which should facilitate subsequent repairs to the cooling.

"We send the workers in small groups for a maximum of ten minutes to limit the duration of radiation exposure," added the spokesman.

The legal limit of radiation allowed for men working in the nuclear crisis time was increased to 250 mSv per year since the accident in Fukushima, as against 100 before.

TEPCO has been trying for nearly two months to restore the cooling circuits of the four engines damaged by the tsunami.

The operator estimates that it will take three months to begin to reduce the radioactivity and nine months for cooling the reactors.

Located along the Pacific Ocean, Fukushima Daiichi is one of the oldest plants in Japan, its first reactor was built in the early 1970s.

The earthquake and tsunami of March 11 devastated the Pacific coast north-east of Tokyo, killing nearly 26,000 people dead or missing, according to the latest official toll.

Football - COUPE DE FRANCE: PSG, who won at Los Angeles, will defend his title against Lille

AFP - Paris SG, defending champion and leading scholar of the event, qualified without opposition for another Cup final in France, breaking with the dream of authority Wednesday Angers (3-1), never tremble at the last resident of League 2.

Seriously and implemented, the specialist has struck again and Paris St Germain has offered the right to contest its sixth final on the last nine editions and join Lille at the Stade de France for the big event of May 14

Incidentally, Parisians have probably ensured at the same time a European qualification, the Europa League a minimum account the classification of Lille in the league.And their place in the finals is far from being misused.

Antoine Kombouare had yet clearly displayed color, by deciding to rest Ludovic Giuly and Claude Makelele, to the point of not even to appear on the scoresheet.

Dominating the early minutes of the game, his players have benefited the most from lack of aggressiveness and inhibition of Angevin players to establish their dominance.

Because the passion and commitment Scoïstes + + were not the same as those displayed during their remarkable skills against Valenciennes (2-1 aet) and Bordeaux (1-0), both residents of the elite fell to stadium Jean-Bouin in previous rounds.

Mathieu Bodmer has come from the show the 22nd minute with a subtle exterior of the right beyond the reach of Malicki (1-0, 22).And while many thought Charbonnier had put both teams tied after the break, it's Nene who drove the nail in the best time (2-0, 51).

The energy of despair, the SCO has led a moment, allowing him to save the honor by Renouard (2-1, 56), Hoarau put out the incipient fire five minutes later (3-1, 62).

Powerful and inspired, Paris SG has benefited mainly from the semi-finals of the Coupe de France to confirm his return to form net.After the success against Caen and Lyon who were placed back in the race for Champions League, the capital club looks up at the right time.

And with eight victories in eleven finals played since 1982 (date of first success), the capital club will discuss new confidence in the next final against Lille.

In Angers, the newspaper of the L2 will now resume his duties. "Our Cup France is already successful, and we have nice things to play in the league," recalled his coach Jean-Louis Garcia this week. Seventh five-point L2 of the podium, he will soon forget, however this disillusionment if he hoped to play the rise until the end.

AUTOMOTIVE: The scrapping benefits still to French carmakers

AFP - New car registrations in France jumped 8.9% in the first quarter, taking advantage of the latest effects of scrapping, but new orders began to decline in March, said Friday the Committee of French Automobile (CCFA).

"We have generally done better than expected first quarter, welcomed the President of the CCFA Patrick Blain at a press conference.

In the single month of March, new car registrations rose 6.1% unadjusted.

French carmakers have seen this month on very different trajectories.PSA Peugeot Citroen has reported a 13.5% jump in registrations, especially from his Citroen, while the Renault group fell 12.4% due to supply problems on models of its brand low-cost Dacia.

In the first quarter, registrations yet benefited from the boost from the scrapping. Initially set at 1,000 euros and then gradually reduced to 500 euros last July, this premium ended December 31, but manufacturers had until March to deliver the ordered vehicles.

The market has also benefited from "the good performance of orders" in January and February, "said Blain, but started to weaken in March.

LIBYA: Tripoli regime announced a new cease-fire

AFP - The regime of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi has announced a cease-fire from 1900 GMT on Sunday in response to the call Saturday by the African Union to "the immediate cessation of hostilities," said a door- Word of the army.

"In respect of the statement issued by the Committee of the African Union on Saturday in Nouakchott and resolutions 1970 and 1973 of the UN military command has given orders for a cease-fire on Sunday from 9:00 p.m." local (1900 GMT), said the spokesman, Milad Fokehi reading a brief statement.

Tripoli had already announced on Friday a cease-fire it did not comply, according to the international community which launched Saturday night's first military operation in Libya.

Libya has also seen Saturday night like no resolution 1973 imposing a no-fly zone after the military operation in western and requested an emergency meeting of the Security Council of the UN.

Resolution 1970 adopted in February provides an arms embargo, a ban on travel to Muammar Gaddafi and 15 of his relatives and the freezing of assets of Colonel Qaddafi and his family.

The committee of the AU on Sunday called on Libya to Nouakchott to "the immediate cessation of all hostilities" in Libya.

The committee, composed of African heads of state, issued a statement in which they also call "the cooperation of the Libyan authorities concerned to facilitate the delivery of diligent humanitarian assistance to populations in need."

They also seek "protection of foreigners including African migrant workers living in Libya" and that "the adoption and implementation of political reforms needed to eliminate the causes of the current crisis."

COTE D'IVOIRE: UN concerned about the alleged supply of weapons from Belarus

AFP - The tension rose Monday between the camp of Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo and the outgoing United Nations about an alleged case of delivery of weapons, while the humanitarian situation was deteriorating in Abidjan after fighting between government forces and pro-Gbagbo insurgents.

At the request of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, the Security Council of the UN was discussing a possible meeting after information on the current delivery of three attack helicopters from Belarus and support material in Yamoussoukro (center) for the forces loyal to Mr.Gbagbo.

But Belarus has denied any violation of the arms embargo imposed in 2004 and denounced a "possible destructive campaign" against him.

The Gbagbo government has condemned a "conspiracy" and a "lie to justify an attack" from the UN.

He accused the UN mission in the country, UNOCI, which he calls the start of being complicit in the 'rebel' Forces Nouvelles (FN), combined with Alassane Ouattara - head of state recognized by the international community - which he believed to have infiltrated Abidjan.

The climate was still heavy in the economic capital with sporadic gunfire reported in several districts since Sunday, including in areas hitherto preserved as the plush Cocody district (east).

Fief of Mr.Gbagbo, the popular Yopougon (west) is now dotted with checkpoints "young patriots", his ardent supporters.Sometimes armed with machetes and clubs, they demand to search vehicles.

Their leader Charles Ble Goude called last week young people to "organize themselves into committees" to prevent "by all means" to move UNOCI.

Gbagbo's camp is over "harassment" against the UN "the act of direct hostility," he said Monday in Dakar Choi Young-jin, the head of UNOCI.

He said that three peacekeepers were injured by pro-Gbagbo forces this weekend in Abobo, a district pro-Ouattara in the north of Abidjan.

Abobo last week became the scene of clashes involving heavy weaponry between the pro-Gbagbo and rebels.

At Abobo, but also in the neighboring Anyama, the humanitarian situation was becoming increasingly worrisome background of the population exodus.

Some 3,000 people have already sought refuge in two Catholic missions, "in a crowded indescribable," he told AFP Abbe Augustin Obrou, spokesman for the archdiocese of Abidjan.

UNITED STATES: Boeing wins the tanker contract from U.S. Army

AFP - Boeing won Thursday for the second time the mega-tanker contract from the U.S. Air Force, crushing rival Airbus, which was nevertheless given favorite after years of political and legal twists.

"Today, on the basis of criteria evaluated (...) we announce that the Air Force has selected a proposal by the Boeing Company," said Secretary of the Army of the Air, Michael Donley, during a press briefing at the Pentagon.

Mr. Donley said the contract on 179 units, was valued at "more than 30 billion dollars."Eighteen aircraft will be delivered by 2017.

"Boeing wins hands down," noted Assistant Secretary of Defense William Lynn, when asked if it was difficult to decide between the two aircraft manufacturers for the contract, one of the most disputed of history of aviation.

Mr. Donley has ensured that the order was issued after a selection process "fair, open and transparent". He hoped that "both parties will respect this decision and allow this important acquisition to proceed without hindrance."

Industry experts expect indeed to make this call that EADS, which would block the contract.Before the announcement, Michael Boyd, president of a consulting firm specializing in aviation, had predicted that, regardless of the Pentagon's decision, one of the two groups would appeal, as the American states who would feel aggrieved.

Noting that the aircraft never flew Boeing, EADS said he was "disappointed" and "worried" the U.S. decision, without indicating whether he planned to appeal, as he has the chance.

Boeing said he was "honored" by the Pentagon's decision and "ready" to produce devices that will allow the U.S. Air Force to continue to deploy worldwide.

The contract is intended to replace the aging fleet of KC-135 dating from the '50s.

The story of the tender is peppered with twists, including a conflict of interest scandal. The contract was canceled twice, having been awarded to Boeing for the first time in 2003 and a second in 2008 to Airbus and its American ally Northrop Grumman.

EADS, Airbus' parent company, was launched this time without a major trading partner, but with the support of hundreds of U.S. equipment.

EADS praised the military version of its Airbus A330, the KC-45, as "the only real-tanker aircraft already in operation.The European, who had reviewed last week's price decline, suggested that its production in the United States would generate 48,000 jobs in the country.

Boeing said on his part that his aircraft was offering "a fuel consumption 24% lower than the unit proposed by EADS," and he would support 50,000 jobs in the United States.

The battle between the two giant aircraft was dubbed a political fight in Washington.

Patty Murray, Senator for the State of Washington (northwest), where Boeing planned to build the tankers at its plant in Everett, hailed "a major victory for American workers, the aerospace industry and the U.S. U.S. Army. "

However, elected officials in Alabama (south), where the tanker would have been assembled at Airbus, the European supporters.

The president of the AFL-CIO, Richard Trumka, hailed "a tremendous boost to American workers and the goal of President Obama create jobs in the country"

The Defence Committee of the House of Representatives has announced it will hold a hearing to ensure that assessments made by the Pentagon has been "transparent and fair for each competitor."

Tunisia: Tunis to demand the extradition of Saudi Arabia ousted President Ben Ali

AFP - Tunis on Sunday asked in Riyadh for the extradition of deposed President Ben Ali, accused of being involved "in several serious crimes" and of inciting Tunisians to "kill each other," while demanding information about his condition health and "his eventual death.

In a statement quoted by official news agency TAP, the Foreign Ministry said it has requested in Riyadh to provide "all information available concerning the health of the deposed president, in light of contradictory information conveyed about the deterioration of his health and his eventual death.

The former president, aged 74, who fled to Saudi Arabia on January 14 under the pressure of the street is in a Jeddah hospital in a coma following a stroke, had AFP reported on Thursday near his family.

In the same statement, the ministry announced that it "sent through diplomatic channels a formal request to the Saudi authorities" who "seeks to extradite the deposed president" Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

"Following a series of new criminal charges against the ousted president, on charges related to his involvement in several serious crimes that involve and encourage them to commit the murder and to sow discord among the citizens of the same countries pushing to kill each other, "Tunisia has requested his extradition, the statement said.

The new series of charges "is added to the letters rogatory issued by the Tunisian authorities and addressed before Saudi judicial authorities, as part of an action brought inquisitorial, currently, against the ousted president and his clan."

This commission relates to "charges on the grounds that the possession of bank accounts and property in several countries as part of laundering money acquired through illegal and that the holding and illegal export of foreign currencies , "the statement said.

The ousted president, who suffers from prostate cancer, and his family fled to Saudi Arabia on January 14 after nearly a month of unprecedented popular protest, suppressed at the cost of dozens of deaths.

Ben Ali has ruled the country by building his regime on a balance between iron fist based on a policy now disgraced and prosperity, which eventually failed, causing his fall.

Father of six children, he often appeared the last time accompanied by his wife Leila Trabelsi.According to observers, he seemed fragile and under the influence of his wife's family accused of grip on the economy.

The revolt against the government began in Sidi Bouzid (West Central) after the suicide in mid-December Bouazizi Mohammed, an unemployed youth of 26 years unable to perform as a peddler by police and became the symbol of the frustration of young people in this country where unemployment is nearly 30% of young people.

Since his departure, the assets of the deposed president were frozen in several countries, many family members were arrested and international arrest warrant was issued against him and his wife.

Since then, a transitional government, led by former Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi and comprising members of the former opposition, promised democracy and pluralism.

BELGIUM: 30,000 demonstrators to Brussels to demand a government

AFP - More than 30,000 Belgians took part Sunday in Brussels in a march of "shame" to expose the unprecedented political crisis lasting record that threatens the unity of the country, due to differences between Flemish and Francophone, and ask formation of a government.

This is the first time since the Belgian parliamentary elections of 13 June 2010, ordinary citizens are expressing their exasperation with massively to the current impasse.

They were responding to a call via the Internet popularized five young Flanders and Brussels, three students and two employees, claiming no political affiliation even if one of them is the son of Minister of Justice, a Flemish Christian Democrat .Their motto: a march of "shame" for the kingdom.

"A beard for Belgium"

"What we want? We want a government," chanted the protesters, often young, the 224th day of the crisis which saw the country deprived of effective government, a record in Europe.

Many demonstrators wore also on Sunday a placard with the slogan "Divide? Not in our name!" Slogan of a meeting of artists and intellectuals held in Brussels on Friday evening, which caused a stir.

The participants, mixed Flemish and Francophone, have denounced the line defended by the Nationalist party emerged as the winner of legislative independence, the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), which contributes to the current political stalemate.

The tone of humor, speaking Geluck Philippe, the famous designer of the "Cat", is called a "revolution of mussels and fries," the Belgian national dish, along the lines of "jasmine revolution" Tunisian .

Other successful slogan, "A beard for Belgium" could be read on stickers flown Sunday some 34,000 demonstrators (by police), following a call from the Belgian actor Benoît Poelvoorde no longer to shave until the denouement of the crisis.

A text divides the Flemish majority

"We want a solution.Not this trench warfare between political parties, "said one protester Flemish, Christopher, 27, researcher in sociology from the University of Antwerp (Flanders, north).

For him, Sunday's protest reflects "the beginning of a rift between Flemings," since the right Flemish - N-VA and the Christian Democrats VCT - dismissed on January 6 a draft agreement prepared by a socialist Flemish with a mission of conciliation.

This text was instead supported by the Flemish and Francophone left participant for more than seven months in the endless negotiations in September

Single incident of the gathering on Sunday, five Flemish extremists were detained by police when they tried to destroy tracts for demonstrators.

One of the organizers of the march, Vandereecken Simon, a graphic designer for 23 years, welcomed a success "has exceeded our expectations."

"Our politicians will have to react after such a mobilization. Otherwise, we'll see what steps to take," he told AFP.

Belgium has been administered since 2010 by a firm responsible for caretaker absence of agreement on a new reform of its institutions.

The Francophone Wallonia and Brussels want to limit the autonomy demanded by the Flemish reinforced (60% of the estimated 11 million Belgians), particularly in tax matters, lest it be the beginning of the end for the country.