Chirac(2001: One hundred thousand people don't get upset unless there is a problem in their hearts

The Associated Press ^ | Saturday, July 21, 2001 | Ron Fournier

[keat]

GENOA, Italy (7/21/2001)-- Club-wielding riot police and violent protesters clashed yesterday with deadly consequences as leaders of the world's seven wealthiest nations said they would fight AIDS and global economic problems. Safe inside their summit site, European leaders also worked to thwart President Bush's environmental policies.

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Bush told aides the protester's death was tragic. Earlier, he questioned the protest's motives.

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In a joint statement, the leaders expressed regret for the death and condemned the violence, urging peaceful protesters to isolate lawbreakers by example.

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Anti-globalization protesters flooded this hilly, Mediterranean port city -- with many of them turning violent. An unknown number hurled cobblestones and Molotov cocktails, smashed windows, set fires to cars and trash bins and looted storefronts.

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Italy's interior minister, Claudio Scajola, issued a terse statement confirming that the shooting victim, Carlo Giuliani, 23, a Roman who lived in Genoa, was hit by a shot fired "in self-defense by one of the police."

According to Dylan Martinez, a Reuters photographer who witnessed the incident and captured the scene on film, the victim was one of several young men who had surrounded a police van and were smashing it with rocks, metal rods and other weapons. He said the man was shot by a police officer and then his body was run over by the vehicle.

French President Jacques Chirac, who faces a socialist challenger in next year's election, was the only leader to express sympathy for protesters. "One hundred thousand people don't get upset unless there is a problem in their hearts and spirits," he said.

Inside the 13th-century palace-turned-conference center, Chirac led opposition to Bush's climate-change policies.

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Later, Chirac and Bush were seen in animated conversation during a summit dinner that also included leaders from five poor countries.

[Giant Conservative]

French President Jacques Chirac, who faces a socialist challenger in next year's election, was the only leader to express sympathy for protesters. "One hundred thousand people don't get upset unless there is a problem in their hearts and spirits," he said.

It's called Islam.

[proud_yank]

I agree 100%. The save Africa crowd (i.e. Europe) drives me absolutely nuts. All these wonderful ideas, but its up to the US to pay for it.

An excellent article to read about third world countries:
http://www.economist.com/agenda/displayStory.cfm?story_id=3172172

I would not object to the US sending a team of economists over there to help them draft some good business guidelines, or to get rid of the dictators that plague much of Africa. But this 'richest nations in the world....' crap is out of control.