Paris Riots, High-Risk Urban Areas

High-Risk Urban Areas: the Prime Minister calls for “calm to be restored”, Full light will be shed on the circumstances surrounding the accident

Dominique de Villepin, who expressed “his deepest sympathy and support in this horrid ordeal” to the families, assured them that “full light would be shed on the circumstances surrounding the accident”, specified the press release.

As such, he indicated that a preliminary enquiry by the Bobigny Public Prosecutor and an administrative enquiry by the National Services Inspectorate were underway, and that “the conclusions thereof will be brought to the family’s knowledge as soon as possible”.

The Prime Minister called for “calm to return and public order to be restored”. He expressed his “support” to the policy forces responsible for “this difficult task”, and emphasised the need to “avoid any misunderstandings that might lead to additional clashes”.

Combining immediate field action with efforts to develop dialogue
At the close of the Council of Ministers’ meeting, Jean-François Copé, spokesperson for the Government, stated, recalling the President of the French Republic’s words, that “a lack o dialogue and rising disrespect would lead to a dangerous situation”. The latter deemed it “vital” that “the results of the enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the distressing death [...] to come out as quickly as possible”.

“We must take action, consistently derived from the principles that form our nation: everyone must abide by the law and everyone must be given a chance”, reiterated Jacques Chirac, who wishes to “move even more swiftly by combining immediate action in the field with further-developed dialogue”.

On Wednesday 2 November, the Prime Minister called together, at Hôtel de Matignon, the ministers affected by the implementation of programmes in high-risk urban areas. One of the topics to which they devoted particular attention was “emergency measures, in particular regarding employment for young people in the Seine-Saint-Denis suburbs and education”, he stated during the Government’s weekly question and answer session at the National Assembly.

He took the opportunity to assert that he wished to “re-establish public order and do so without further delay”, adding that the “deliberate fires and clashes are unacceptable and will be punished by Justice as appropriate”.

Dominique de Villepin reminded listeners that “the necessary measures” have been taken by the Ministry of the Interior and Regional Development. “There will no lawless areas in France”, he stated. He emphasised that the Government was “united around the same principles and the same determination to fulfil the need for safety and equal opportunity for all the French people”.

For this reason, “the Government shall adopt an action plan by the end of November”, announced the Prime Minister, who wishes to act “with determination, care, resolve and discernment” in ensuring safety and equal opportunity. “Firmness and fairness - that is the Government’s line, and our only guiding principle”, he concluded.

Distinctive incidents
“It is not a matter of youth or troubled neighbourhoods, these are distinctive, sporadic, one-time incidents, even though they are far-reaching and extensive”, stated Jean-Louis Borloo on Thursday 3 November 2005, on television channel France 2.

During his appearance, the Minister went back over the main components in the urban revival plan that has made it possible, in particular, to build public facilities and roadways, completely overhaul public areas, small communities and individual housing.

Source: French Government Portal

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