Posted on 11/02/2005 5:31:01 PM PST by blam
Six nights of riots in Paris ghetto split Chirac cabinet
By Henry Samuel in Clichy-sous-Bois
(Filed: 03/11/2005)
The French government was reeling yesterday after six nights of rioting which have exposed a split in the cabinet over how to deal with poverty and immigration in the dilapidated Paris suburbs.
As authorities cleaned up the debris of another bout of violence, including the wrecks of 250 cars burned out on Tuesday night, both the prime minister, Dominique de Villepin, and the interior minister, Nicolas Sarkozy, put off foreign trips to deal with the rioting.
Youths on the Paris estates have promised ‘40 nights of violence’
"We sure showed it to them last night," said one youth in Clichy-sous-Bois, a grim suburb of high-rises some 15 miles outside Paris.
The worsening crisis jolted President Jacques Chirac out of a six-day silence into calling for calm and a firm hand in dealing with a "dangerous situation".
"The law must be applied firmly and in a spirit of dialogue and respect," the president said at a cabinet meeting.
Using words which could be seen as critical of the tough policing tactics promoted by Mr Sarkozy: "The absence of dialogue and an escalation of a lack of respect will lead to a dangerous situation."
The riots first broke out on the Chêne-Pointu council estate. Last Thursday, two adolescents from the estate died when they scaled the 8ft wall of an electricity substation to dodge police and were electrocuted.
A third escaped with severe burns. The two dead youths, Ziad and Banou, have become symbols of the social problems that ring the capital.
"They were good kids coming back from a football game. Their criminal record was almost completely clean," said Kolan, a black 22-year-old who was part of a foursome, all of North African origin, scuffing their feet in the estate entrance.
The police say they were not chasing the youths who died, but another nearby group.
"We have witnesses who saw them being chased by two policemen. They had done nothing, but if the police chase you around here, you run, guilty or not, because you can be sure they won't be kind with you," said Kolan.
Chêne-Pointu typifies the problems of many of the urban ghettoes that surround Paris and other large French cities: a high immigrant population, soaring unemployment and drug dealing.
Many of the youths blame Mr Sarkozy for the continued violence, with what they consider to be highly provocative language. He has pledged to "industrially clean" council estates and to rid them of "scum".
On Sunday night, he promised "zero tolerance" of suburban crime. Two rioters have already received three-month jail sentences and a dozen more face charges.
"We're not dumb. Sarkozy has declared war on suburban youth," said Karim, 23. "Unless he apologises for the way he has treated us, then he can expect 40 nights of violence," he said.
But others around the estate back Mr Sarkozy. "What he says may be crude, but he's right. Drug runners and petty criminals have had it good too long around here.
"There's only so much social prevention you can do, then you have to repress," said Marie-Jeanne Sacré, a social worker.
In the neighbouring Bosquet estate, Traore Gounedi, a 27-year-old worker in a local social centre, is incensed. "Ten years ago, Clichy was a real no-go area. But in recent years we had built up sports clubs and other associations and it had become calm.
"The way Sarkozy has dealt with this, using riot police and terms the National Front would be proud of, has put the clock back 10 years. Once Ramadan ends on Friday, things will get worse."
As night fell at Chêne-Pointu, sirens heralded the approach of two fire engines that positioned themselves in front of the estate awaiting the flames.
Admittedly, it has been a while. But their blood flows in ours. Give them a chance...we will see how they acquit themselves now, because the Islamic forces have again invaded France.
But these are French police.
I think it would be more accurate to say that realistically, France is not deserving of any more prestige in the western social/economic community than that of a third world country.
The economy is a paper tiger and has been for generations. The country is a poster child for the failures of socialism and the inability to learn from its mistakes in that regard. The cultural superiority (arrogance) the French are so enamored with is in their imagination.
I have nothing against the French personally. But, if the country was a pro sports team, it would be trash talk all week and everyone on injured reserve come Sunday.
Thanks for history lesson.
Except that I hate french fries, creme de menthe, and steak au poivre!!!
Just kidding. You are right of course, but they now face a threat that will enable them to regain their lost honor (if they can).
Pardon moi, while I whip up a little bernaise sauce for my "double cheese burger."
You want to hear something truly ironic?
A very good friend of mine is a very leftist dem, along with his wife. Of course their kids drive SUVs and they live in a gated community that has all of its lawn maintenience done by mexicans. But I drift from my point.
They had a French exchange student spend the summer with them. Got a real lesson in snooty arrogance. Couldn't wait to see him leave. I said nothing to them, but I admit I LMAF.
I love it!!!
Love your tag line! :0)
"Just a week before the riots exploded, he promised a "war without mercy" on violence and petty crime in the suburbs. The opposition Socialist Party criticised his rhetoric.""
How insensitive this must be for the criminals - to hear that the police are going to come after them. Then again, the criminals can always follow the Universal Liberal playbook by stating that the riots (terrorism) were 100% due to the government oppressing the Moose-lims.
Thank you
There is a solution to all this rioting. Pick a couple off to show that you mean business and that would be a good start.
kill all these wretched tusken raiders now.
Clichy-sous-Bois is the real New Fallujah.
Same thing the Democrats did to GWB on Katrina.
India and Mexico have produced great art, music, and even literature. The East Indians had civilization when the Gauls were living in caves.
DNA evidence suggests that about 50% of all Europeans may have origins in the Indus Valley.
I wonder if there was outside influence in inciting the rioting ? I read where France was suspected by some of having a hand in the Niger forgeries.
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