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TIME: Almanac 1990
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1990 Time Magazine Compact Almanac, The (1991)(Time).iso
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12258900.023
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1990-09-22
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WORLD, Page 29World NotesCOMORO ISLANDSBye-Bye, Bobby
By mercenary standards, Robert Denard's was an illustrious
career. The French soldier of fortune waged war throughout three
decades in such places as the old Congo, Angola and Benin and had
a hand in the overthrow of three governments in the Comoro Islands.
But Denard may have finally pushed fortune too far. Involved in the
assassination of Comoro President Ahmed Abdallah, Denard and his
mercenary minions were running the country until late last week,
when French troops called in by the Comoro interim President
hastened his departure.
Denard was flown to South Africa, but Pretoria made it clear
that he could not stay. Not only are officials there embarrassed
by Denard's latest alleged caper, but also rumors persist that the
$3 million South Africa spent annually until recently on the
Comoros' presidential guard has served largely to line the
mercenaries' pockets. Denard expects an even cooler reception in
France. There he faces charges stemming from a failed 1977 coup
attempt against Benin President Mathieu Kerekou.
Denard's departure does not necessarily spell relief for the
embattled Comoros. With the mercenaries gone, angry citizens may
be looking to settle old scores with collaborators.