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Remi Fraisse death: France dam work at Sivens could halt | |
(35 minutes later) | |
The death of a young protester, which has shaken the French government, could put a halt to work on a controversial dam in southern France, officials say. | The death of a young protester, which has shaken the French government, could put a halt to work on a controversial dam in southern France, officials say. |
Remi Fraisse, 21, was fatally wounded in clashes with police in the early hours of Sunday, the first such death in France since 1986. | Remi Fraisse, 21, was fatally wounded in clashes with police in the early hours of Sunday, the first such death in France since 1986. |
His death has been blamed on a concussion grenade fired in the unrest. | His death has been blamed on a concussion grenade fired in the unrest. |
The local authority leader says work on the dam will probably be suspended and ministers have welcomed the idea. | The local authority leader says work on the dam will probably be suspended and ministers have welcomed the idea. |
Thierry Carcenac, Socialist head of Tarn general council in the south-west, said there had to be suspension on work and did not rule out any option on the future of operations at the Sivens dam. | Thierry Carcenac, Socialist head of Tarn general council in the south-west, said there had to be suspension on work and did not rule out any option on the future of operations at the Sivens dam. |
"I also think we have to review the project completely," he told La Depeche du Midi newspaper (in French). | "I also think we have to review the project completely," he told La Depeche du Midi newspaper (in French). |
A concussion grenade fired by police was seen by investigators as the most likely cause of Remi Fraisse's death after traces of TNT explosive were found on his clothing. | A concussion grenade fired by police was seen by investigators as the most likely cause of Remi Fraisse's death after traces of TNT explosive were found on his clothing. |
Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve immediately announced a suspension of the use of such grenades. | Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve immediately announced a suspension of the use of such grenades. |
Facing calls to resign over the death, he told French radio he had "absolutely no intention of quitting when I am doing my duty to the state and the republic". | Facing calls to resign over the death, he told French radio he had "absolutely no intention of quitting when I am doing my duty to the state and the republic". |
Outrage at the death sparked protests in several French cities, and violence broke out on Monday in Albi, the town closest to the dam, as well as Nantes and Rennes. | Outrage at the death sparked protests in several French cities, and violence broke out on Monday in Albi, the town closest to the dam, as well as Nantes and Rennes. |
The violence at Sivens resonated particularly in Nantes, which has seen several clashes between the authorities and environmental activists angry at the construction of a new international airport. | The violence at Sivens resonated particularly in Nantes, which has seen several clashes between the authorities and environmental activists angry at the construction of a new international airport. |
Opponents of the €8.4m (£6.6m; $10.7m) dam scheme say it will harm the environment, but officials say it is necessary to boost the local economy and provide irrigation for farms in the area. | Opponents of the €8.4m (£6.6m; $10.7m) dam scheme say it will harm the environment, but officials say it is necessary to boost the local economy and provide irrigation for farms in the area. |
Labour minister Francois Rebsamen said his personal feeling would be to back a halt to operations. "Of course it's the general council's responsibility but to restore calm right now, the best thing is to suspend the project". | Labour minister Francois Rebsamen said his personal feeling would be to back a halt to operations. "Of course it's the general council's responsibility but to restore calm right now, the best thing is to suspend the project". |
Ecology minister Segolene Royal said she would hold a meeting of everyone involved next Tuesday. | Ecology minister Segolene Royal said she would hold a meeting of everyone involved next Tuesday. |
"We have to find a solution that justifies the use of public and European money on works such as these," she said. | "We have to find a solution that justifies the use of public and European money on works such as these," she said. |
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