Re: What happens to a dis-armed populace.

Chirac in new pledge to end riots (after three more months of martial law)




French President Jacques Chirac has pledged to create opportunities for
young people in an effort to prevent any resurgence of urban violence.
In his first major speech since rioting began, Mr Chirac spoke of a "crisis
of meaning, a crisis of identity".

He condemned the "poison" of racism, and announced measures for the training
of 50,000 youths in 2007.

Mr Chirac said he would uphold law and order by bring rioters to justice and
cracking down on illegal immigration.

He also confirmed that the government of Prime Minister Dominique de
Villepin would ask parliament to extend an emergency law allowing the
imposition of curfews in towns across the country.

The president spoke as police and local authorities around France waited
anxiously for proof that the prolonged period of violence is coming to an
end.

Some 284 cars were burned on Sunday night, down from a peak of over 1,000 a
week earlier.

A measure of calm has returned to Paris, although there was trouble in
Toulouse and some remote towns.

Speaking at the Elysee Palace in front of the flags of France and the EU, Mr
Chirac said the wave of violence had highlighted a "deep malaise" within
French society.

How many CVs are thrown in the waste paper basket just because of the name
or the address of the applicant?

"We are all aware of discrimination," the president said, calling for equal
opportunities for the young and rejecting suggestions of a US-style quota
system.

"How many CVs are thrown in the waste paper basket just because of the name
or the address of the applicant?"

He was quick to defend the rule of law, sternly criticising those who turned
to violence to vent their anger.

"Many French people have difficulties, but violence never solves anything.
[If] one belongs to our national community one must respect the rules."

Fraternity

France would respond to the violence, Mr Chirac insisted, by staying
faithful to the values of the Republic.

He called the rioters "sons and daughters of the Republic", but warned that
respect among all French nationals was crucial to the long term strength of
the nation.

"We will never build anything long-lasting without fighting this poison of
racism."

Mr Chirac also warned that parents must work hard to ensure a respect for
the law among their children.

"The justice system has been alerted," he added.

"Everyone must know that the law cannot be broken with impunity."

On Monday evening the far-right leader Jean-Marie le Pen led a protest
against France's immigration laws.

Addressing a crowd of about 300 National Front supporters he criticised
France's immigration policies.

"We let in 10 million foreigners over 30 years - it's wild insanity. No
country can handle that invasion," Mr Le Pen said.

He said that France was now "paying the bill" for its "mad and criminal
immigration from the Third World."