Cablegate: Paris Emergency Action Committee Meeting Regarding

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

071652Z Nov 05

UNCLAS PARIS 007595

SIPDIS

DS/ITA AND DS/IP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC FR
SUBJECT: PARIS EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE MEETING REGARDING
CONTINUED ARSON ATTACKS IN FRANCE

1. DCM convened the Paris CORE EAC this date to discuss the
continuing spread of arson attacks throughout France.
Attendees included; DCM, DCM UNESCO, RSO, CG, ACS, MGT, ORA,
FBI, POL, PA, OSI, ICE, TSA, DATT, and ECON.

2. FOR BACKGROUND: RSO reiterated that over the last week
there have been countless incidents of arson involving parked
vehicles (thousands), some businesses, schools and churches.
These acts originated in the suburbs NE of Paris where there
is a large concentration of first and second generation
immigrants, largely from north and sub-Saharan Africa. These
incidents began spreading and have now reached every corner
of France, to include downtown Paris. Personal injuries
during these arson attacks have been remarkably few given the
number of vehicles burned. Although there have been hundreds
of arrests, the vast majority of these arrests have been
minors, current information available indicates most of the
arsonists are young teenagers.

3. The CORE EAC was in general agreement in the assessment
that these attacks are NOT riots, they are acts of arson and
for the most part remain crimes of opportunity perpetrated by
disaffected youth from the immigrant communities around the
larger cities. There has been massive reinforcement of
police and gendarmerie in the areas where attacks have
occurred, but the random nature and unpredictable nature of
the attacks make prevention very difficult.

4. EAC ACTION ITEMS:

a. Consular has crafted an updated warden announcement that
will be forwarded to CA for clearance and eventual
distribution to the Paris ACS warden network. That notice
will reiterate the previous warning that the train line
between Charles de Gaulle airport and Paris be avoided; that
AmCits avoid large spontaneous gatherings at night, and use
caution when out during evening hours.

b. The embassy's country clearance telegram is also being
updated to include information concerning these recent arson
attacks and unrest.

c. RSO, Legat and others will maintain regular liaison with
appropriate security and law enforcement authorities to
ensure up-to-date information.

d. CORE EAC was reminded that any significant information
regarding these events should be shared with RSO immediately.

Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm
Stapleton

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