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Is There Trouble in French Paradise?

French vacationers have long treasured the country's utopian overseas departments, where idyllic Carribbean beaches generally outshine any mini-outbreaks of post-colonial conflict. But economic doldrums and long-simmering racial tensions are currently casting some rain clouds over the island paradises of Martinique and Guadeloupe.

In Guadeloupe, 50,000 workers are in the midst of a three-week strike, which while peaceful, has reportedly left hotels and resorts short on gas, food and other necessities. Meanwhile in Martinique, racial sentiments bubbled over after the airing of a TV documentary detailing how the white minority has dominated the island's economy, leading to a nine-day strike and inciting the French to export a riot police brigade to the island.

The situation for tourists on both islands sounds more inconvenient than threatening so far. Any Jaunted readers out there in the French Caribbean? How are the hotels holding up? Do you feel safe? Let us know.

· Price protests paralyze Martinique, Guadeloupe [MSNBC]
· Blacks slam white minority in Martinique strike [IHT]
· Martinique travel coverage [Jaunted]

Photo: [guillaumeo]