Chirac admits riots reveal French malaise
· Irresponsible parents told they will be punished
· State of emergency to be extended by three months
Jon Henley in Paris
Tuesday November 15, 2005
The Guardian
Jacques Chirac acknowledged last night that France's 18 nights of urban violence had revealed a "profound malaise" in society and launched an appeal to combat the "poison" of racial discrimination.
In his first formal address to the nation since the unrest started on October 27, the French president said the problem had to be tackled firmly but justly. "Those who attack ... must know that in a republic, one cannot break the law without being caught, judged and punished," he said.
Mr Chirac said the rioting reflected a "crisis of ... identity", but added that "we can accomplish nothing if we do not respect the rules". Parental authority was critical, and parents who did not "accept their responsibilities" would be punished. The president confirmed that the government would today put a bill before parliament recommending that the state of emergency be extended for three months until mid-February if necessary.
Everyone should have the chance to share in the benefits of French society, Mr Chirac said, but "discrimination saps the foundations of the republic". The French media and political class must "better reflect the reality of French society today", he insisted. At present, the ethnic minority faces on French television can be counted on the fingers of one hand and mainland France has not a single MP of north African or black African origin.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/france/story/0,11882,1642789,00.html