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.
Bush should be impeached, tried for murder, and executed.
Probably. But all of her appearances could have been mitigated if her father had done so 9 months before she was born.
So much for the fatwa against rioting.
Hey fellers, this ain't rioting, it's an insurrection. But wait, Condi says that Islam is a religion of PEACE and LOVE. What a dumba@@ statement. I take everything I said back about Condi, she doesn't have the mentality of a fence post and I'm wondering about this president of ours as well. As a conservative, I don't support/defend folks just because they are of the same party, if they don't deliver like a conservative, take a hike, buddy.
Let's all of us understand that the purpose of government is to PROTECT ITS CITIZENS, anything less is an abomination and needs replacing. Two main points: Border security and Islamofacism in our country, let's do something about it.
>>> and repeated an appeal to parents to keep adolescent rioters off the streets.>>>
Please, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, please do what we are afraid to do!!!
Let us all just watch the show and stop asking so many pesky questions. The French 'authorities' aren't asking any (of themselves), so how is it any our business?
For this movie, however, might I make a culinary suggestion? Instead of our customary pop corn, I say we get French fries. It has such a nice ring to it, doesn't it?
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie.Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
Oh, riots have already hit Denmark, and it appears that Belgium has had its first uprising, as well.
This thing could encircle the continent if it's not put out forcefully and soon.
And yes, that includes Scandinavian countries who have seen massive influxes of Muslims as of late.
---Let's all of us understand that the purpose of government is to PROTECT ITS CITIZENS, anything less is an abomination and needs replacing.---
But is the press screaming for Chirac's head?
The greatest danger here is that terrorist operatives world-wide see in this situation the possibility to FINALLY OPEN A WESTERN FRONT IN THE WAR.
More:
OBL is said to have thought the U.S. was a "paper tiger" because of how Clintoon cut and ran in Somalia.
Imagine the lessons the al-Q bigs have observed over the years since the war began.
They know France ACTIVELY attempted to undermine the U.S.'s efforts to defend itself by taking it to the enemy on their land.
They know Chiraq kissed Saddam's butt---and not because he liked him, but because he feared Saddam's POWER and lusted after his wealth.
They know Spain immediately caved after their trains were bombed.
While they've still attempted to get something going in England, they know: (1) Tony Blair has a nasty side and (2) British law enforcement is breathing down their necks and (3) the Americans are the Brits' "special friends" and well . . . we all know what that means.
Look at the riots in France from a tactical and strategic perspective:
It's apparent they have fertile ground in which to sow their seeds of hate.
Europe has open borders.
France is already practically a Muslim country---this must make the tipping point seem downright realistic compared to re-inventing, oh, The United States of America from the ground up.
The French government has no stomach for just conflict, the French people are (as far as I know) largely unarmed and unwilling to fight for their country anyway.
Bleak.
Douse De Blaze? An obvious joke. Right?
I have been waiting for someone to post this picture.
Shows the organization.
Hey, excellent point.
(or See! See! ?)
ML/NJ
I am not the French having rioting Muslims was amusing for the first couple of nights; two weeks (seems like it will be at least that long) is getting inane. The attempts by the MSM to avoid letting the world know that this is the work of Muslims is nauseating.
Combat! ... starring Vic Morrow.
RE: Leaders Fiddle As France Burns (12th Night)
They refuse to employ deadly force in sufficient quantity and breadth to deal with the issue. There is, sadly, a rationale. The current ruling "coalition" need to retain the support of the radical pro-PLO types in order to stay in power. In their calculus, the need to keep the far Right from having a bully pulpit without loosing the freaks. Of course, I would embrace the far Right and steer them into a slightly more effective stance (for example, getting them to lose the more extreme xenophibic views they have) and drop the freaks. Let the freaks flop around limply. But Chirac and Co. lack the courage and sense to do this. Plus, they are themselves haters of the far Right. What a sad state of affairs.
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