European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - October 26, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse Grappling with terrorism in France French riot Force policemen checking out a Pri Driver on a Champ or Ytaka in a nation of Bod Fly a race it of Fer Roraff bombing. By Mort Rosenblum associated press the 6aby carriages and the lovers in Par Sparks have been joined by grim Odd couples gendarmes in sober Blue flak vests clutching radios and sub machine scene typifies a nation troubled by a pc cell rash of terrorist bombs and by the cumulative elects of centuries of attempting to shape the rest of the world african colonies were freed but new governments were designed to depend heavily on France Lor Aid advice Trade and defense. The Ivory coast. Gabon and a dozen ornets still slant close by Franco. Paris kept overseas provinces French polynesia and new Caledonia in he Pacific Guadeloupe and Martinique in the Caribbean and French Guiana in South America reunion in the Indian Ocean and St. Pierre Miquelon off Newfoundland in Canada. France gave up its mandate Over Lebanon and Syria in 1945 but remained Active in the Middle Easl Ever since. Today problems Are arising All Over the map. France s House of cards Middle East policy teeters precariously. And former colonies have produced legions of arabs and africans whose presence in France is increasingly resented. Militant me caledonian want Independence. There is ferment in the Caribbean. Also there Are troubles Al Home. An unemployment rate of 10,7 percent and uncompetitive Industry worsens sell doubt. Cullura and the language the nation s traditional Maginot line Are battered by foreign onslaught. For political scientists. The question is whether France will remain a major player on the world stage a role it has held since Charlemagne but Many of France s 55 million inhabitants worry less Aboul the philosophical aspects than the More tangible effects. Bombings by lebanese terrorists in Paris killed 10 people Over a 10-Day period in september. They were followed by heavy Security which worries Many people As much As the terrorism itself. A wide Range of intellectuals film stars and Public figures signed a joint letter arguing the terrorists win if by combating them democracies cease to be they added the logic of a slate of War a police state of suspicion and informers Breeds arbitrariness and comforts racist xenophobic much of France escapes not Only the Security Blanket but also the darkening mood. The Moulins Des Moupins on the Riviera still offers chateau pelorus 196t wine at 15,000 francs $2,500 a Bothe. We feel no pressure Here said Roger verge proprietor of the three Star restaurant. This is Neutral at nearby St. Paul de Vence. Chancy Parsons biggest worry is finding a partner to play boules an outdoor Bowling game. His regular partner died. A retired american nearing 90, Parsons is still trying to figure out his computer so he can Linash his Book on dreams. But reality la grim in the train platforms Melro stations and spree Corners police select people at random for searches and identity checks. They Are sometimes brusque. Roadblocks Are common. Foreigners who now require visas spend up to two hours wailing to be searched so they can enter police stations to apply Lor them. At Rock concerts and recitals people Are searched at the Gates. The champs Elysee where Carefree parisians once lingered Over Oysler and while wine is tinged at night with the hashing Blue of police lights. Armed guards Lurk in the fabled show windows. Even in Rural areas random police roadblocks snarl Long lines of citroen and Renault and motorists boil Over along with their radiators. Although North africans Are nol implicated in the bombings they face close scrutiny. Many frenchmen resent their Large numbers a legacy of the Biller 1954 1962 War against algerian Independence. Members of the Large lebanese Community Ere particularly suspect. During the Paris bombings other extremist killed four frenchmen of the United nations interim Force in Abenson. The French military attache was Shol dead in Beirut. Sevan frenchmen Are hostages in Lebanon. Middle East policy is at the Root of French anguish. France remained Active after giving up its mandate Over Lebanon and Syria in 1&45. In 1976, desperate Lor Oil France agreed to Arm Iraq. During the Iran Iraq War France has sought to maintain Good relations with the islamic government in Tehran while allowing iranian dissidents to be based in Paris. Government agents and their opponents ram All Over the Middle Easl have been trying to persuade or Force France to alter its delicate balances. Michel Job Ort former foreign minister argues that France went wrong by joining americans in pulling troops into Lebanon. Paris should maintain its own diplomacy realizing its it Mlls a wrote. He concluded France should not be surprised by the consequences that its ambiguous interventions in the near East have provoked. She must convince her sett thai she has no Power Over the tremors hat Rock the Arab and islamic worlds or Over the conflict Between persians and arabs the consensus Tor Tough reaction to september s terrorism has begun to subside. More frenchmen in Page 16 the stars and St pipes sunday october 28.1986
