"They were only thinking of the children".

Sarkozy Intervention results in seven freed.
Chad on Sunday released seven Europeans detained over allegations of kidnapping involving a French charity, after the personal intervention of Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president.

Mr Sarkozy's decision to fly to Chad on Sunday underscored Paris's determination that the case should not further damage relations between the two countries just weeks ahead of a planned deployment of French troops to the east of Chad.

Oops. Big freaking oops.
However, anti-French sentiment has increased sharply after revelations that many of the 103 children French charity Zoe's Ark planned to fly to France earlier this month were not starving orphans from Darfur but healthy Chadian children living with family members.

It's causing quite a stir...
In a joint press conference with Idriss Deby, president of Chad, Mr Sarkozy said that he wanted the remaining French detainees to be tried in France, while at the same time criticising their self-described mercy mission as "appalling".

Mr Deby has fuelled popular anger by asking whether the charity might have been involved in a paedophile ring or wanted to sell the children's organs. Zoe's Ark has denied any wrongdoing.

The Chadian president used a visit to the orphanage where the children were staying to attack the perceived arrogance of western policymakers. "Here's the truth about this Europe that portrays itself as helping, this Europe which seeks to give lessons to Africa," he was quoted as saying.

Mr Sarkozy last week condemned Zoe's Ark's attempt to remove the children from Chad as "illegal and unacceptable". However, an estimated 300 people marched in Parison Sunday in support of the charity, carrying signs with slogans such as "They were only thinking of the children".

Just crazed do gooders drunk on the heady aroma of their own goodness on the loose or what? A profile of Zoe's Ark can be found here.

Islam online reports that Zoe's Ark has been under investigation for illegal adoption activities by French authorities since July.

This is rich - UN Aid workers in Chad are criticizing Zoe's Ark, concerned it may harm their image. Oh please.

And get this statement from what appears to be the original Zoe's Ark formed to provide Tsunami aid - they can't distance themselves fast enough from this bunch.

STATEMENT

October 27, 2007

There has been recent Press surrounding the French charity called "L'Arche de Zoé", which charity has been named and reported in the Press as Zoe's Ark, which is the literal translation.

Zoe's Ark Foundation Inc. has no legal link nor associated with, related to or connected with the French charity "L'Arche de Zoé" and Zoe's Ark Foundation Inc. does not endorse or condone any of the activities undertaken by the French charity "L'Arche de Zoé".

Zoe's Ark Foundation Inc. was set up for Tsunami relief which ceased operations in December 2006.

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