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Sarkozy's rescue plan for suburbs Sarkozy's rescue plan for suburbs
(about 1 hour later)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has warned the "very idea of the nation is at stake" unless poor, mainly immigrant suburbs wracked by riots are revived. France's President Sarkozy says the "very idea of the nation is at stake" unless poor, mainly ethnic minority suburbs wracked by riots are revived.
He spoke as he unveiled a rescue plan to deploy 4,000 more police over three years and a half billion euro aid lifeline to flashpoint neighbourhoods. He spoke as he announced a three-year proposal to deploy 4,000 more police and roll out a half-billion euro aid lifeline to flashpoint neighbourhoods.
Mr Sarkozy also declared "war without mercy" on drug dealers in such areas. Mr Sarkozy also unveiled plans to help 100,000 people find work and declared "war without mercy" on drug dealers.
As interior minister in 2005 he was criticised for saying he would cleanse the suburbs of what he called "rabble". Rioting exploded in the suburbs in late 2005 and at the end of last year.
Those remarks came amid nationwide riots that saw a state of emergency declared. As interior minister, Mr Sarkozy was accused of exacerbating the unrest two years ago by vowing to use a power hose to cleanse the suburbs' streets of what he called "rabble".
'Firm but fair' 'Respect our culture'
The government at the time promised to invest heavily in the marginalised estates but many feel that, more than two years later, little has been done.The government at the time promised to invest heavily in the marginalised estates but many feel that, more than two years later, little has been done.
I want to tell these kids, who are French, nobody will be judged by their skin colour, or by the address of their district Nicolas Sarkozy Profile: Nicolas SarkozyI want to tell these kids, who are French, nobody will be judged by their skin colour, or by the address of their district Nicolas Sarkozy Profile: Nicolas Sarkozy
At his official residence in Paris on Friday, Mr Sarkozy unveiled proposals targeted at France's most sensitive suburbs, known as "banlieues". At his official residence in Paris on Friday, Mr Sarkozy unveiled proposals to regenerate the most sensitive suburbs.
He said: "In view of what is happening in these neighbourhoods, what is at stake is not just our idea of secularism but the future of a certain idea of the Republic. The very idea of the nation is at stake." He criticised the "dehumanising" architecture of some projects, promising new housing and the chance for people to buy their own property.
Most of the measures are aimed at youths, encouraging them to continue education and helping them find jobs. Mr Sarkozy also proposed transporting students to schools in different neighbourhoods to help mingle social groups.
He said: "I want to tell these kids, who are French, nobody will be judged by their skin colour, or by the address of their district.
More than 30 French towns and cities were affected by 2005's riotingMore than 30 French towns and cities were affected by 2005's rioting
"I want diversity at all levels of our public services. France is founded on unity - not uniformity - equality and fraternity. I must be tough and firm, but fair." "In view of what is happening in these neighbourhoods, what is at stake is not just our idea of secularism but the future of a certain idea of the Republic," he said. "The very idea of the nation is at stake.
Rioting most recently broke out in November 2007 after two teenagers died in a collision with a police car in Val d'Oise, near Paris. "I want to tell these kids, who are French, nobody will be judged by their skin colour, or by the address of their district," he added.
The conservative leader also said that all French citizens had to respect "our culture, our values, our law."
BBC Europe regional editor Mike Sanders says Mr Sarkozy has long set his sights on improving conditions in the suburbs, where youth unemployment is running at 40% in some places.
HAVE YOUR SAYThis is just a publicity stunt to boost his imageRohit Raj, Mumbai, India Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYThis is just a publicity stunt to boost his imageRohit Raj, Mumbai, India Send us your comments
The initial findings of an internal police probe, which found that police were not to blame, sparked three nights of violent unrest around the capital and in Toulouse. The government declared a state of national emergency in November 2005 after three weeks of rioting erupted in housing projects at more than 30 towns and cities.
The disorder highlighted the problems of joblessness and social alienation among families of immigrants from former French colonies.
Unrest also broke out three months ago after two teenagers died in a collision with a police car in Val d'Oise, near Paris.
With municipal elections coming up next month, Mr Sarkozy knows how important it is to show that his right-wing Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) party is offering solutions to France's huge problem of social unrest, correspondents say.With municipal elections coming up next month, Mr Sarkozy knows how important it is to show that his right-wing Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) party is offering solutions to France's huge problem of social unrest, correspondents say.
Have you been affected by the issues in this story? Have you lived in the French suburbs? Send us your comments using the form below.Have you been affected by the issues in this story? Have you lived in the French suburbs? Send us your comments using the form below.
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