| C B C . C A N e w s - F u l l S t o r y : # Paris riots need calm but firm response: Chirac Last Updated Wed, 02 Nov 2005 12:07:46 EST CBC News French President Jacques Chirac says nightly clashes between youth gangs and Paris police must be dealt with calmly but firmly. "The law must be applied firmly and in a spirit of dialogue and respect. The absence of dialogue and an escalation of a lack of respect will lead to a dangerous situation," said Chirac after a cabinet meeting.
French policemen patrol outside a building in Paris suburb, Le Blanc-Mesnil, early Wednesday. (AP Photo)
French police and youth gangs clashed overnight Tuesday, the sixth night of violence in the poor suburbs ringing the eastern side of Paris. Hundreds of police patrolled Clichy-sous-Bois, where the riots broke out, after two teenagers of African origin were electrocuted and a third critically injured while reportedly hiding from police within the walls of an electrical sub-station last Thursday. Police deny the allegation. About 60 vehicles were set on fire and 34 people were arrested as the fighting spread to other parts of the suburbs, which are mostly populated by poor immigrants. France's prime minister postponed a planned visit to Canada on Wednesday to deal with continuing riots in a Paris suburb. Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin had initially delayed his visit to Canada so he could meet with the families of the two dead teens on Tuesday evening. He pleaded for calm after the meeting. On Wednesday, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Paul Martin said de Villepin's dinner with the prime minister would be postponed. Suburbs home to poverty On Monday night, young people had thrown crudely made Molotov cocktails and set fire to cars and garbage cans. The police fired tear gas.
A car park after riots erupted between youths and security forces in the Clichy-sous-Bois suburb of Paris, Friday, Oct. 28. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
An officer was slightly hurt and 12 people were arrested. Suburbs like Clichy are home to many immigrant families from France's former colonies in Africa. Poverty and unemployment rates are high and the unrest has revealed the frustration with police and the authorities. The violence has highlighted the government's difficulty in improving opportunities in these areas and exposed a rift in Chirac's government. Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy, who may run for president in 2007, has been criticized for his tough "zero-tolerance" approach to suburban crime. He has called the rioters "scum." He has ordered police to focus on 25 problem neighbourhoods in various French cities and promised to investigate allegations that police fired tear gas into a mosque, which has angered many immigrants. Copyright ©2005 Canadian Broadcasting Corporation - All Rights Reserved