France expelling Roma and Bulgarians

[Cain]

Probably the most cynical political ploy ever from Sarkozy, and the most transparent too.  Not to mention a disgusting mirroring of Berlusconi's actions in Italy

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11080315

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said he will continue his controversial crackdown on Roma (gypsies).

He was speaking at his first cabinet meeting after the summer break, amid growing questions over his leadership.

Hundreds of Roma have been sent back to Romania and Bulgaria and more than 100 illegal camps dismantled.

The operation has been criticised by human rights watchdogs and Mr Sarkozy's opponents, who accuse him of using the issue to boost his flagging support.

Mr Sarkozy is under pressure to tackle soaring public debt, but unions are threatening major strikes over plans for pension reforms.

Romania has questioned whether the repatriations comply with European law and the EU Commission has said it is concerned about them. The Commission is to report on the expulsions next week, says the BBC's Christian Fraser in Paris.

France, which says it expelled 10,000 Roma last year, says it is acting in accordance with EU law by repatriating Roma who have been in France for more than three months without work. It also says most of the repatriations are voluntary.

About 635 Roma have been sent back to Romania and Bulgaria, after their camps were shut down in a crackdown announced last month, Immigration Minister Eric Besson said on Wednesday.

By the end of the month "around 950" will have been repatriated, he told Europe 1 radio.

Mr Sarkozy has said the Roma camps are sources of crime, prostitution, trafficking and child exploitation.

At the cabinet meeting, he urged his team "not to get sidetracked by useless controversies," Immigration Minister Eric Besson said.

Former prime minister and likely presidential challenger Dominique de Villepin said the policy was "shameful".

"It's an electoral strategy. This will contribute nothing to the security of French people."

[Jenne]

...but Yurp is so OPEN and FREE...there are no bigots in Yurp.  EVAR!

(sorry, dispelling Liberal American Media Myth #205)

And har:  "useless controversies."  Yeah, cultural biases that are a nice neat cover for bigotry and legal prejudice are so...useless.  However controversial they may be.

So I wonder what the stats of crime and national debt incurred by the Roma would be. 

[The Johnny]

France, which says it expelled 10,000 Roma last year, says it is acting in accordance with EU law by repatriating Roma who have been in France for more than three months without work. It also says most of the repatriations are voluntary.

About 635 Roma have been sent back to Romania and Bulgaria, after their camps were shut down in a crackdown announced last month, Immigration Minister Eric Besson said on Wednesday.

VOLUNTARY CRACKDOWNS FOR GREAT JUSTICE

[Jenne]

Well, in other words, when given the CHOICE of jail vs. going back, guess what they chose?

[LMNO]

"FORM A BRUTE SQUAD AND CLEAR THE FOREST!"
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