Govt Bows To Students After Paris Riots

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31677, 13 May 1968, Page 13

Govt Bows To Students After Paris Riots

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) PARIS, May 12. The French Government has bowed to student demands in an effort to end a week of the worst street-fight-ing seen in France since the Second World War. Faced with a steadily worsening situation, and increasing pressure from intellectuals and opposition politicians, the Prime Minister (Mr Georges Pompidou) has announced that the Sorbonne would be “freely opened” from Monday. Mr Pompidou, in a nationwide radio and television broadcast, also promised that the Appeal Court would consider demands for an amnesty for students convicted of offences during the riots which have turned the Left Bank student quarter into a battlefield. The Government concessions do much to satisfy Paris University student conditions for ending the demonstrations —re-opening of the Sorbonne, withdrawal of police from the area, and an amnesty for convicted students. France’s two biggest trade union federations had called for a general strike, and demonstration, for Monday in support of the students, after the bitter street battles last night which left more than 750 injured. (One radical group has announced its intention to continue “the struggle in the streets”, and the Communistled workers’ federation (C.G.T.) says the strike will still take place.)

Hospitals said that 367 students and bystanders were injured in the fighting in streets littered with burned-out cars, and 54 detained in hospital. One student had a hand blown off in a grenade explosion. On the police side, officials said that 18 men were seriously injured, and about 400 treated for minor bums. The students, who varied in number from 10,000 to 30,000 during the action, held a square mile of the French capital for several hours. This morning, several hundred students blocked traffic along Boulevard St Michel, and police again used tear gas to disperse them. The Federation of National Education had also decided to strike on Monday, closing down all French schools.

The Archbishop of Paris issued an appeal for calm, and top Ministers of the French Government met in emergency session.

Though Mr Pompidou did not announce the withdrawal of the massive police forces still stationed in the student quarter, his statement that the Sorbonne would be “freely" opened was taken to mean this—and in his brief, dramatic broadcast, he promised examination candidates that their results would not be affected by the disturbances. Mr Pompidou made his broadcast only hours after returning from a 16-day visit to Iran and Afghanistan. “I ask everybody, particularly the representatives of student organisations, to reject the provocations carried out by professional agitators, and to co-operate in bringing about a return to peace,” he said.

“The Appeal Court, in accordance with the law, will be able to consider appeals from convicted students. These decisions are inspired by a profound understanding with the

students, and by confidence in their good sense,” Mr Pompidou said. Mr Pompidou’s speech was welcomed cautiously by students and teachers alike.

This morning, for the first time, the name of President de Gaulle was brought into the agitation. Students shouted “de Gaulle murderer” and “down with de Gaulle.”

Highly-placed French officials said they saw a connection between the rioting and the opening in Paris of the United States-North Vietnamese peace talks. These officials said they were making a distinction between the great mass of the students and the hard-core leaders who have been leading the demonstrations.

Under Viet Cong Fire.— The Viet Cong have hit six cargo ships in the last 16 days as they ran the gauntlet of guerrilla fire to bring much-needed supplies up the Nha Be River to Saigon.— Saigon, May 12.