France Declares 12-Day State of Emergency to Curb Crisis (Spineless Villepin Tries Goodies)

New York Times ^ | 11/8/05 | Mark Landler

[frankjr]

The French government, unable to quell nearly two weeks of civil unrest, invoked emergency measures today to impose curfews in its strife-torn suburbs, where bands of youths continued to rampage, burning cars and battling with police....

"The republic faces a moment of truth," Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin said in announcing the decree during a grim-faced address in Parliament. "A return to order is the absolute priority."

Mr. Villepin also outlined a package of economic and social measures to try to address the entrenched racial discrimination and chronic unemployment that have bred resentment and alienation in the suburbs, which have large populations of West African and North African origin....

"Exhuming a 1955 law sends to the youth of the suburbs a message of astonishing brutality," the Paris daily Le Monde declared, "that after 50 years France intends to treat them exactly as it did their grandparents."

Mr. Villepin, the newspaper said, "should recall that at that time, the combination of misunderstanding, warlike posturing, and powerlessness brought the republic to its worst ever moment."...

So far, Mr. Bertrand said, the tourism industry has not been affected by the unrest. There has been no upsurge in cancellations, or noticeable decline in visitor arrivals, he said. Mr. Bertrand said he believed most would-be visitors would recognize that the violence was extremely localized - limited, to a great degree, to suburban areas far off the tourist trail.

But he acknowledged that if the government did not quell the unrest soon, it could pose a problem. In that case, he said, the ministry had plans to run reassuring ads in the United States and other countries.

[frankjr]

"Jacques "Nero" Chirac has declared a "State of Emergency" in France, which is the first time it's been used since 1955. It allows local officials to set curfews - which should work because we all know how much people, especially teenagers, respect curfews. It also allows France to do warrantless raids and restrict freedom of assembly and the press (even thought press is voluntarily refusing to show burning cars on TV for fear of exacerbating the rioters).

But none of it is going to matter in the long run. Why? Because instead of dealing with the problem head on Dominique De Villiepin is attempting to "buy off" the rioters by promising apprenticeships to start at 14 years old, triple merit scholarships to "disadvantaged" (Muslim) youth, and give money to organizations that work with the "youth".

UPDATE: As if on cue, Dominique De Villepin has blamed racial discrimination for the riots. Um, how about considering the fact that many of these people want to turn France into a holding of the Caliphate, and are still mad about stuff that happened over a thousand years ago. All the "Midnight Basketball" type programs you offer won't matter a bit. Idiot."

Source: anklebitingpundits

[Brett66]

[keithtoo]

Imagine that....the French would resort to bribery?

Sacre Blieu!!

[HOTTIEBOY]

SOMEBODY START SHOOTING!!!!

[Ellesu]

[frankjr]

Very good (of course I had to go look up "pogrom" first to get it).

[NewMediaFan]

[inkling]

Dhimminique de Villepin.

[frankjr]

"SOMEBODY START SHOOTING!!!!"

They did...well at least the rioters have been doing some shooting. I believe the police were told not to shoot. The cartoon a few posts up should raise the France terror level from "wet pants" up to "surrender".

[samadams2000]

Hey...I think they want more money...and a Muslim state...pass it on!

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

The French 'leadership' appears to be empty suits, nothing inside, nil, nada, zip, zero. However, they might order the beating of a 70 year old Fench woman trying to protect herself against the rioters!

[R.W.Ratikal]

The ISLAMIC LEADERS guiding this revolt were right in picking the one European country unable to govern itself.

The French government is unable to act because it is not accustom to govern. It's musical chairs tradition of government is now paying the price.

The only solution Chiraq can think of is to give in. That will only encourage the Islamic rioters to keep it up.

[R.W.Ratikal]

Correction: Last para - "The only solution etc."

[R.W.Ratikal]

And the American media continues to refer to the Muzlim rioters as "kids." Get real.

[etradervic]

Mr. Villepin also outlined a package of economic and social measures

English Translation = appeasement, concessions, capitulation...

[Earthdweller]

The "youths" don't seem to like Churches for some reason.

"An eyewitness report which appears to be corroborated by commenters from the same town: Tonight the Protestant church in Meulan was attacked. The roof is completely destroyed." .

[cgbg]

Dominique De Villiepin is attempting to "buy off" the rioters by promising apprenticeships to start at 14 years old, triple merit scholarships to "disadvantaged" (Muslim) youth, and give money to organizations that work with the "youth".

I suppose he did a poll of the rioters to come up with this inspired plan. :-)

My independent survey revealed that the disadvantaged youth would prefer the French leaders' heads served on a flaming stick.

;-)

[Sidebar Moderator]

It is not necessary to spam every thread on the subject with your giant red letter link. Knock it off.

[0siris]

The French have got to be the stupidest people ever. I mean you cannot make this up. Let's reward these dirtbags for rioting in the streets! You burn cars, you get cash!

[jordan8]

Where have you people been for the last 40 years? The U.S. government rushes in with rewards every time we have a race riot. All governments in the West are virtually the same when it comes to these things.