US embassy cable - 05PARIS7599

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 007599 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2015 
TAGS: PHUM, PGOV, KISL, FR 
SUBJECT: RAMPAGE IN FRANCE CONTINUES FOR 11TH DAY 
 
REF: A. PARIS 7525 
 
     B. PARIS POINTS FOR NOVEMBER 7 AND PREVIOUS 
        (EMBASSY SIPRNET SITE) 
 
Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, reasons 
1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C) Summary: Notwithstanding massive deployments of 
police and President Jacques Chirac's assurances that "the 
absolute priority is to reestablish security and public 
order," violent unrest in France intensified through the 
weekend, with November 6 marking the eleventh night of arson 
and clashes between bands of youths and police.  The 
incidents of destruction and confrontation with police spread 
over the past eleven days beyond Paris to other major cities 
in France.  Over the weekend, for the first time, several 
cars were burned close to the center of Paris.  More than 
1,400 vehicles were attacked throughout France during the 
latest night of violence, and 395 individuals were detained. 
A 13-month-old baby was hospitalized after the bus she was in 
was struck by rocks, and a 61-year-old man died of injuries 
he sustained the night of November 4 in what may be the first 
instance of a death related to the violence.  Birdshot was 
fired at police south of Paris, hospitalizing two with non 
life-threatening injuries.  Prime Minister Dominique de 
Villepin is expected to announce GoF proposals in a 
nationally televised appearance on the evening of November 7. 
 End Summary. 
 
Chirac Vows to Restore Order... 
------------------------------- 
2.  (SBU) In his televised remarks after meeting with key 
ministers Sunday evening, Chirac pledged that "the law should 
have the final say, and the Republic is determined to be 
stronger than those who want to spread violence and fear. 
The perpetrators will be apprehended, judged, and punished." 
Chirac also indicated that he would seek to address the 
suspected root causes of the violence -- including rampant 
unemployment among young people in the affected immigrant 
communities.  Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin is 
expected to present his proposals in a nationally televised 
appearance on the evening of November 7.  He has promised 
"concrete propositions" to suppress the rioting and address 
the unemployment and hopelessness of youth in France's 
suburbs.  Villepin announced that the government has already 
acted to accelerate judicial procedures for those caught 
rioting, and individuals detained can be presented before the 
courts immediately. 
 
... As Violence Spreads 
----------------------- 
3.  (SBU) Over the weekend, the unrest spilled from the 
suburbs north and east of Paris to the city proper, with 
incidents being reported in 274 French communities.  On the 
night of Saturday, November 5, a car was set ablaze near the 
Place de la Republique, close to central Paris and on the 
outskirts of the trendy Marais neighborhood.  Meanwhile, the 
latest violence continued to extend throughout France, with 
cities such as Toulouse, Marseille, Cannes, Nice, Lille, and 
Strasbourg all reporting similar incidents. 
 
Muslim Groups Try to Quell Unrest 
--------------------------------- 
4.  (SBU) In addition to governmental calls for calm, 
numerous community and religious groups have also appealed 
for an end to the violence.  The fundamentalist Union for 
Islamic Organizations in France (UOIF) issued a fatwa 
November 6 stating, "It is not acceptable to express feelings 
of desperation through damaging public properties and 
carrying out arson...  Under Islam, one cannot get one's 
rights at the expense of others."  President of the French 
Council for the Muslim Faith Dalil Boubakeur met with French 
authorities to discuss the spreading problem.  Media reports 
indicate that members of the Tabligh sect of Islam and an 
organization known as the Young Muslims of France (JMF) have 
circulated among rioting youths to try to play a mediating 
role. 
 
Injuries and the Possibility of First Riot-Related Death 
--------------------------------------------- ----------- 
5.  (SBU) Although the violence has typically targeted 
vehicles and buildings, a number of injuries have been 
reported.  On November 2, a handicapped woman suffered severe 
burns when the bus she was in was set afire.  Overnight in 
the eastern city of Colombe, a 13-month-old was hospitalized 
when a bus was attacked by rock-wielding youths.  Since the 
violence began, 77 police and 31 firemen have been injured. 
Ten police were hurt in the town of Grigny (approximately 20 
miles south of Paris) where police were attacked by some 200 
rioters and fired upon with birdshot.  Two police officers 
were hospitalized, but their injuries were not considered 
life-threatening.  On November 7, 61-year-old Jean-Jacques Le 
Chenadec succumbed to injuries he sustained three days 
earlier when he and a neighbor were attacked by an unknown 
assailant.  Exact details are unclear, but according to the 
other victim, who suffered less serious injuries, the two men 
were talking at approximately 10:00 p.m. Friday night in an 
neighborhood where unrest had occurred when an individual 
approached and demanded to know what they were discussing. 
When they responded "our cars," the individual began punching 
them, causing Chenadec to fall back and hit his head. The 
assailant is being sought. The Deputy Mayor of Stains has 
asked for "great prudence" in the matter, adding, "The 
association of these events with the recent violence in the 
neighborhood is not established. We must wait for the 
investigation." 
 
Comment 
------- 
6.  (C) The intensity of the destructive activity and the 
increase in the number of areas affected pose a continuing 
problem for the French government.  The numerous, small bands 
of young men that are perpetuating the violence are difficult 
to tracks and detain.  The government, while doing its utmost 
to quell the violence through targeted deployment of police 
and rapid reaction, is also being careful to respond in a 
restrained way.  One "mistake" or "overreaction" by police 
that kills or severely injures a minority youth could trigger 
a wave of much less controllable violence.  The deliberate 
attacks against police in Grigny is particularly disturbing, 
as it represents a shift in targets from buildings and 
vehicles to authority figures themselves.  Additionally, the 
use of firearms against police raises the likelihood of a 
more violent response from authorities.  As it currently 
stands, it may take a delicate balance of increased police 
presence, governmental proposals, and the efforts of 
community leaders to bring an end to the violence. 
 
 
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm 
Stapleton