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France Dedicates Memorial to Muslim Troops of WWI
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=12C7754:3919ACA President Chirac
dedicates memorial to 600,000 Muslim soldiers at Verdun





Jacques Chirac (r) at the unveiling of monument to honor Muslims who
died for France in the battle of VerdunFrance's President Jacques
Chirac has dedicated a memorial to the 600,000 Muslim soldiers who
fought for France in World War I.

The monument was built in Verdun in northeastern France - site of a
1916 battle considered to be one of the longest and bloodiest battles
of the war.

Mr. Chirac said Sunday the Verdun army united the French people in all
its diversity.

He said the French army at Verdun included Moroccans, Algerians,
Tunisians, and soldiers from Madagascar and Indochina. All are former
French colonies.

Some of these nations have complained that France has ignored their
contributions.

Until now, Muslim soldiers were only acknowledged with a small plaque
at Verdun. Some information for this report was provided by AFP and
Reuters.


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