European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 14, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse Once proud Mediterranean port sinking to third world status by Patrick Mcdower athe associated press gloom Clouds even the sunniest Days at cafes that line the old port where the Marseillaise gather to sip Pastis and pronounce their City sick or Marseille has become a third world City a says Paul Mefret a City councilman. Quot the problems of crime unemployment and poverty Are becoming almost impossible to Roll strikes on the docks a budget in the red soaring unemployment and racial tensions highlight what May be an irreversible decline in the once proud port City. Many blame the problems on immigrants from Frances former North african colonies accusing them of laziness Petty crime and drug use. Quot everywhere you look they re everywhere Quot grumbled Jean Pierre Langer a taxi Driver who disbelieves official figures that the City of 800,000 has Only 55,000 immigrants. Marseille s sagging fortunes also can be Trace to political mismanagement failure to diversify the port based Economy and notoriety As a bastion of organized crime. The City founded by greek traders in 600 b.c., is unquestionably in trouble. The population has fallen by 100,000 since 1975. Unemployment stands at 19 percent double the National average. A shrinking tax base has led to deep spending cuts that caused transport strikes last year and forced City Kjall to beg Money from the suburbs to keep the 200-year-old opera House open. The opera survived but the National government has ignored pleas for $100 million to balance the City s budget. Quot the state forgets Marseille fumed mayor Robert Vigouroux in an open letter to the government. Quot will the Marseillaise be obliged to go to Paris to make their rights heard Quot they did just that 200 years ago when volunteers marched on the capital to defend the French revolution. The strident hymn they Sang la Marseillaise later became the National Anthem. X Vigouroux gets a share of blame for Marseille s ills. He lacks the clout of his predecessor Gaston def Ferre who ran Marseille for 33 years occupied several government ministries and once fought a Duel with a rival legislator. Neither Man came to grips with Marseille s decline As a port which began in the mid-1960s when Trade with France s former african colonies shrivelled. Since then Dock strikes have Given the port a reputation for being unreliable. That encouraged businesses to turn to Spanish belgian or dutch ports Quot Marseille has always been a town that lived by its port Quot said Ernst Zutta. Quot when the port worked the City was prosperous. When it did no to it was poor. Zutta owns a fashionable Brasserie on the old port now a Marina for pleasure Craft. He wants Marseille to attract More tourists. Small coves Dot the rugged coast and the corniche a seafront Boulevard presents stunning views of the the City of Marseille has fatten on hard times. Many blame Dock strikes political mismanagement failure to diversify the port based Economy and the City s notoriety As a bastion of Organ teed crime. Chateau d of the Island prison featured in the count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. In town windows Are shuttered against the heat and laundry hangs from wrought Iron balconies lending a Lazy Mediterranean Charm. Admirers once compared la Cane Biferie the main Street from the St. Charles Railroad station to the old port to the champs-fiys6es. These Days the Avenue is overrun by fast food shops and stores that sell cheap clothing. Prostitutes and tramps predominate at night. Marseille remains France s capital of organized crime. Nightclubs that do not pay extortion Are bombed or their owners bodies turn up in ditches outside town for a Silver lining Many Marseillaise look to the oly pique Marseille of soccer club which recently won its fourth straight French championship and came close to taking the european championship in 1991. Even that has a blemish however. The club owned by politician tycoon Bernard Tapie is under investigation for possible illegal payment of Transfer fees. A there Are some places in the world where the Only thing people know about Marseille is of Quot Zutta said of the team. Quot but there would be something seriously wrong if that was our sole it Marseillaise gather at sidewalk cafes to discuss the City s woes. Fit january 14, 1993 stripes Maga me 7 7
