Thursday, September 29, 2005



Marseille, France - Striking French union workers hijacked the cargo/passenger vessel Pascal Paoli following days of violent clashes at the port. Some 50 black-clad military commandos boarded the ship via helicopter and overcame the unarmed workers. The unrest broke out Monday morning when word got out that the state owned the National Corsica Mediterranean Company was likely to be sold to private investment firm Butler Capital Partners.