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Leaders Fiddle As France Burns (12th Night)
The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 11-8-2005 | Colin Randall

Posted on 11/07/2005 5:48:46 PM PST by blam

Leaders fiddle as France burns

By Colin Randall in Paris
(Filed: 08/11/2005)

France was struggling to overcome one of its gravest post-war crises last night as every major city faced the threat of fierce rioting that began 12 nights ago and now seems to have spun out of control.

More than 1,400 vehicles were destroyed during a night of increasing violence

Despite an assurance from Philippe Douste Blazy, the foreign minister, that France was "not a dangerous country", the spread of violence prompted the Foreign Office in London to warn travellers that trouble could break out "almost anywhere".

Dominique de Villepin, the beleaguered prime minister, announced that officials in riot-hit areas would be authorised to impose late-night curfews "wherever it is necessary" in a bid to halt the disturbances.

He rejected calls by a police union for troops to be sent in but said that 1,500 reservists were being called up and repeated an appeal to parents to keep adolescent rioters off the streets.

Although the disorder began on the intimidating sink estates of Paris's northern suburbs, trouble had been reported yesterday in the early hours from most regions of the country. Even areas such as Brittany, the Loire and Bordeaux, favoured by British holidaymakers and second- home hunters, have now been drawn into the worst wave of unrest in France since the spring revolt of 1968 set in motion the downfall of Gen Charles de Gaulle.

Yesterday the violence also claimed its first life. A 61-year-old man died in hospital three days after being beaten unconscious when he left his home in a northern Paris suburb intending to stop rubbish bins being set on fire.

Even before renewed disturbances broke out last night, figures showed that rioters had wrecked 4,700 vehicles, injured more than 100 police and rescue workers, and opened fire in at least six separate incidents.

Of the 1,200 people arrested, more than 30 - half of them juveniles - have already been jailed or given youth custody.

Rioters have targeted schools, churches and public buildings

The police union Action Police CFTC called for curfews to be imposed in all riot-hit areas to combat the "civil war that spreads a little more every day". The mayor of one town, Raincy, north of Paris, announced a late-night street ban on children to "avoid a tragedy". The union also urged the government to send in troops to defeat the trouble-makers, mainly mobs of young people from poor estates dominated by Muslim families whose origins are in France's former colonies in north and sub-Saharan Africa.

Twenty-four hours earlier, a belated and much-criticised intervention by President Jacques Chirac, his first since the violence began, was followed by the worst night of rioting so far.

More than 1,400 vehicles were destroyed, two policemen were injured by birdshot and petrol bomb attacks were launched on schools, churches and public buildings.

Mr Chirac, who had spoken of a French republic resolved to show itself "stronger than those who want to sow violence or fear", made more conciliatory comments in a private meeting yesterday.

President Vaira Vike-Freiberga of Latvia said the French president had admitted to him that "ghettoisation of youths of African or North African origin" was to be deplored, as was French society's "incapacity to fully accept them".

Pascal Clement, the justice minister, announced that three boys, aged 16, had been detained in the southern city of Aix-en-Provence for allegedly using their weblogs, hosted by a pop music radio station, to urge others to riot.

Police claim that ringleaders of the disturbances, which began in the northern Paris surburb of Clichy-sous-Bois on Oct 27 after two boys were accidentally electrocuted while apparently running from police, have become increasingly organised.

The Foreign Office yesterday warned Britons already in France or considering travelling there that the unrest could now break out "almost anywhere".

The new travel advisory painted a much more alarming picture of the threat to British citizens than a similar bulletin issued on Sunday.

Britons should also "avoid any demonstrations which may be taking place in and around" areas affected by the riots, said the Foreign Office website.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 12th; burns; fiddle; france; fwance; insurgency; intifada; jihad; leaders; night; parisriots; quagmire; quijad; surrender; terrorism; uprising
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To: blam

Blitzkrieg!!


21 posted on 11/07/2005 5:59:38 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (Save The Earth. It's The Only Planet With Chocolate.)
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To: blam

I am certainly enjoying this.


22 posted on 11/07/2005 6:00:40 PM PST by Navy Patriot (French put out fires with Vichy water.)
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To: blam

Burning churches? Why am I not surprised?


23 posted on 11/07/2005 6:01:12 PM PST by WestSylvanian
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To: Travis McGee

ping - Gallic version of your novel 2


24 posted on 11/07/2005 6:01:19 PM PST by Covenantor
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To: blam

a reporter on H&C now - "the curfews are not working".


25 posted on 11/07/2005 6:01:27 PM PST by oceanview
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To: blam
More than 1,400 vehicles were destroyed during a night of increasing violence

Considering the price of gasoline in Europe, having your car burn might actually be a good thing. I wonder how many economically-strapped, French, car owners burned their own vehicles and blamed it on the riots.
26 posted on 11/07/2005 6:01:59 PM PST by redheadtoo
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To: DuncanWaring
What a tragedy that France's old Christian churches are being targeted. For historical value at least, these things must be preserved.

Choking to death on their own pluralism.

27 posted on 11/07/2005 6:02:32 PM PST by nanomid
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To: blam
"Leaders fiddle as France burns"

According to the report on FNC I just saw, France's leaders are not fiddling. They are giving away everything but the kitchen sink. $35B in reconstruction aid plus jobs for "disadvantaged youth", and scholarships, etc...
28 posted on 11/07/2005 6:03:21 PM PST by Texas_Jarhead
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To: blam

The French never learn. It is sad really. They thought they could appease the muslims by bashing Bush. Daladier, Chamberlain, Chiraq. Peas in the Appeasement pod.


29 posted on 11/07/2005 6:04:52 PM PST by jwalsh07
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To: Texas_Jarhead
"They are giving away everything but the kitchen sink. $35B in reconstruction aid plus jobs for "disadvantaged youth", and scholarships, etc..."

They did that this was already in the works and not prompted by this insurrection.

30 posted on 11/07/2005 6:06:46 PM PST by blam
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To: Texas_Jarhead

"The jihadists sense that Western Europe is ripe for plucking. Hamstrung by the liberal doctrines of multiculturalism and political correctness, Western Europe is unprepared for a determined jihad from within.

It is far more likely that European socialist governments will keep looking for ways to appease the jihadist demands at the continued expense of their own cultures. "


31 posted on 11/07/2005 6:08:45 PM PST by cowdog77
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To: blam

good grief, can this be seen by satellite now?


32 posted on 11/07/2005 6:09:41 PM PST by The Red Zone (Florida, the sun-shame state, and Illinois the chicken injun.)
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To: oceanview

Get a Few Curs out there to chomp their tails.


33 posted on 11/07/2005 6:10:17 PM PST by The Red Zone (Florida, the sun-shame state, and Illinois the chicken injun.)
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To: blam
...Dominique de Villepin, the beleaguered prime minister, announced that officials in riot-hit areas would be authorised to impose late-night curfews "wherever it is necessary" in a bid to halt the disturbances.

He rejected calls by a police union for troops to be sent in but said that 1,500 reservists were being called up and repeated an appeal to parents to keep adolescent rioters off the streets.

Mon-sewer Wiley-pan, perhaps your mathematique needs UN assistance. I count 50 or so flames on zee map. 1500/50 = 30 extra reservistes per city /town. I don't think it will cut the Grey Poupon.

34 posted on 11/07/2005 6:12:40 PM PST by Covenantor
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To: Brett66

France is burning
France is burning
Look out!
Look out!
Fire! Fire!
Fire! Fire!
Pour on water
Pour on water

[continue in endless round]


35 posted on 11/07/2005 6:12:57 PM PST by The Red Zone (Florida, the sun-shame state, and Illinois the chicken injun.)
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To: oceanview

How the hell are they going to enforce teh 'curfew'?


36 posted on 11/07/2005 6:14:00 PM PST by Ethrane ("semper consolar")
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To: blam
The French better start trying on their burkqas for size. It is obvious their government is going to do nothing to protect them from what is coming.
37 posted on 11/07/2005 6:14:35 PM PST by Gritty ("Assimilation is cultural rape" - Dyab Abou Jahjah, Arab European League)
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To: nanomid
After Munich, Winston Churchill said of Neville Chamberlain:

"He had a choice of dishonor or war. He chose dishonor; now he shall have war."

Seems to apply here, also.

38 posted on 11/07/2005 6:15:17 PM PST by DuncanWaring (The Lord uses the good ones; the bad ones use the Lord.)
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To: blam

littlegreenfootballs has an incredible video of the rioters yelling "allu akbar". Worth a look.


39 posted on 11/07/2005 6:15:18 PM PST by BunnySlippers
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To: blam

wow


40 posted on 11/07/2005 6:17:50 PM PST by Flavius (Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum")
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