Thanks for the report from Paris media. Can anyone IMAGINE Giuliani reacting to rioters in this way?
Nope. Here is from Le Monde posted today at 2:31 pm eastern.
Urban violence: appeals for calm and the mobilization of the state
On the day following a ninth night of riots, during which 900 vehicles were set fire to and some 250 people arrested, mostly in Ile-de-France, but more and more in the provinces, deputy UMP Nicolas Dupont-Aignan said Saturday that he thought Jacques Chirac was "curiously dumb" and asked him "to quickly address quickly to the Nation" as regards measures to be taken in the present emergency. The entourage of the president of the Republic, solicited by AFP, let know that Mr. Chirac would express himself on urban violence "at the proper time, if it considers it necessary".
S.O.S Racisme denounced in an official statement "the increasing number of incomprehensible messages from meetings" and requested that the Prime Minister organize a round table "with a view to exceed simple police work and to draw future plans for the urban ghettos".
The president of the National Front, Jean-Marie la Pen, denounced for his part on Radio Courtesie "the impotence of those governing". The party of extreme right continues to demand the introduction of a state of emergency in the districts touched by violence.
The bishops of France then expressed their "serious concern" in the face the violence of these last days. "We believe that repression and incitement with collective fear are not a response to the high and dramatic tensions of our society", declared Mgr Jean-Pierre Ricard, archbishop of Bordeaux and president of the Conference of the bishops of France, in an official statement. He believes it "vital" to open cities to the often desperate young people, "a future of freedom, dignity and respect of others".
The vice-chancellor of the Grand Mosque of Paris, Dalil Boubaker, stated that he awaited "words of peace" from the government. Without expressly condemning the recent remarks of Mr. Sarkozy, in particular the use of the term "rabble" [racaille, translated as "scum" elsewhere], he recalled that "in such difficult circumstances, each word has its importance". Dominique de Villepin briefly got it Saturday, according to Mr. Boubakeur, in expressing his respect to the whole Muslim community. The Prime Minister also ensured that, according to the investigation into the teargas grenade which went off Sunday at the Clichy-under-Wood mosque, the grenade was not in any manner aimed by the police. It was an unhappy accident".
Dominique de Villepin, who met with eight ministers in Matignon, asked them to affirm their unity and the firmness of the government."Le government is unanimous on firmness", underlined Nicolas Sarkozy at the exit, and "we continue an extremely strong action". The Minister of Interior Department denied that the night arrests would carry "the ten objects of deferment before justice, which will pronounce judgments[?]". After the deep divisions of the beginning of week, the Minister for employment Jean-Louis Borloo affirmed that "we are at work ... within the framework of a united government". He was charged "to accelerate" the installation of plans of urban restoration and social cohesion. Lastly, Mr. Sarkozy brought together in his office the persons in charge of the police "to take stock" of violence.