Police Reservists Called Up to Battle Rioters in France

www.foxnews.com ^ | Monday, November 07, 2005

[Esther Ruth]

Police Reservists Called Up to Battle Rioters in France

Monday, November 07, 2005

PARIS — France (search) will impose curfews "wherever it is necessary" and call up 1,500 police reservists to stop rioting, the prime minister said Monday, as civil unrest erupted for a 12th night with youths setting fire to an empty bus and attacking police in Toulouse.

The announcement came as similar violence was reported in neighboring Belgium and Germany and the French government faced growing criticism for its inability to stop the violence in its tough suburbs. Governments worldwide urged their citizens to be careful in France.

A 61-year-old man also died Monday of wounds sustained in an attack as he tried to put out a trash can fire, the first fatality since the unrest began.

Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin (search) said 1,500 police and gendarme reservists were being called up to reinforce the 8,000 troops already deployed to stem the violence that has shocked the nation.

"The response is one of firmness," he said on TF1 television, adding that curfews will be allowed "wherever it is necessary."

Local government officials will be able to put curfews in place "if they think it will be useful to permit a return to calm and ensure the protection of residents. That is our number one responsibility," he said.

One riot-hit town in suburban Paris (search) said earlier that it was preparing to enforce a curfew.

In Toulouse (search), rioters stopped a bus and ordered the driver to get out, then set the vehicle on fire, said Francis Soutric, chief of staff at the regional prefecture in Toulouse. No passengers were inside.

[Skooz]

Good. Now they can surrender en masse.

[timsbella]

It occurs to me that TROP is actually the French word for "too much". How apt.

[massgopguy]

Tous le monde. Haut mans!

[samtheman]

A 61-year-old man also died Monday of wounds sustained in an attack as he tried to put out a trash can fire, the first fatality since the unrest began.

What brave young men they are. Beating a 61 year old to death. Who was trying to put out a fire (not confronting them directly).

When I see this story, and see how the French people are willing to accept this, my only reaction is: burn, baby, burn.

[SF Republican]

I forget the name but the French have a special force just for riots; big, dumb, mean guys; but with this many protesters they might not be too interested in intervening. I am happy to see some french police men are getting injured, not to be happy with that fact but it does indicate they are finally doing something.

[Esther Ruth]

About 4,700 cars have been burned in France since the rioting began and 1,200 suspects were detained at least temporarily, Gaudin said!!!

"Arsonists overnight burned two schools and a bus in the central city of Saint-Etienne and its suburbs, and two people were injured in the bus attack. Churches were set ablaze in northern Lens and southern Sete, he said."

"In Colombes (search) in suburban Paris, youths pelted a bus with rocks, sending a 13-month-old child to the hospital with a head injury, Hamon said, while a daycare center was burned in Saint-Maurice (search), another Paris suburb."

Somewhere there must be a complete running tally of all this?...cars, buses, schools, churches - unreal!

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin (search) said 1,500 police and gendarme reservists were being called up to reinforce the 8,000 troops already deployed to stem the violence that has shocked the nation.

The reservists will be sent into the field...as soon as 1,500 additional white flags can be located.

[singfreedom]

This is shameful, France has allowed its law abiding citizens to be victimized by bands of criminals, just so they can maintain their attitude of political correctness. If I lived in France, I'd be looking for an "arms dealer"! Evidently the only way to protect yourself and your family is to have your own private army.

[Dallas59]

Strange.....No comments from the UN????

[singfreedom]

I wonder if good 'ol Dominique is STILL harping about "dialog". I hope that's been moved to a back burner---finally!

[Esther Ruth]

How about a 24 hr curfew for 2 or 3 days. During this time we have airdrops of guns and ammo in the good neighborhoods. (Think 3rd world conditions) After the curfew ends, the bell rings and all good brave french men take to the street with their guns. Tell me, are there any good brave french men who like shooting guns?

[Reaganesque]

In Toulouse (search), rioters stopped a bus and ordered the driver to get out, then set the vehicle on fire, said Francis Soutric, chief of staff at the regional prefecture in Toulouse. No passengers were inside.

Well...not anymore, anyway.

[ARealMothersSonForever]

Strange.....No comments from the UN????

They are drafting up the "land for peace" deal right now. Once the mobs appoint their Arafat poser, and are granted a right to return; the UN can draft up a couple of proposals. Have you not been paying attention lately? Not disrespecting you, but we have all been watching these processes fo 30+ years.

[Dallas59]

Sorry ...I forgot. Maybe they should move Al-Quds into Paris?

[arthurus]

It would take many fewer police if they substituted buckshot for reservists.

[Tzimisce]

Now we need to do what good liberals all over the world would do in this situation: SUE!

You can't call the cops on these people, they're just demonstrating! You need to listen too and address their grievances!

I wonder if the unbiased press in Europe and the US will be running over there to talk to "victims" of French police brutality? Something tells me that our undercover journalists won't have time...

[layman]

Churches were set ablaze in northern Lens and southern Sete

No mention of how many or which denominations, but I'm going to go out on a limb and predict that no mosques were torched.

[GOP_1900AD]

I can well imagine that overland transport in the trunks of Mercedes of any reasonable hardware requirement can be arranged. ;)