15/11/2005 (Agence Europe) - The trouble in the French suburbs over the last fortnight has been brought up by members of the European Parliament on several occasions. French Socialist Harlem Désir has issued a press release in which he reacts to the words, quoted in Le Figaro of 15 November, of the French Minister delegate for the promotion of equal opportunities Azouz Begag (our translation) who, "having been welcomed by unacceptable stone-throwing on a visit to Vénissieux (Rhône)", said: "I can go into any suburb on my own quite safely; I would like to challenge Harlem Désir (…) to do the same". Mr Désir retorts: "on Sunday morning, I was giving out leaflets in the middle of (…) Aulnay-sous-Bois (…), without any protection, that goes without saying. I have been a municipal councillor in Aulnay-sous-Bois since 2001, I have lived in Seine-Saint-Denis for 10 years, I work there, I meet the people from the tower blocks all year round, when there are no cameras around, my children go to school there. I would like to invite Azouz Begag to come on any time, with me, to meet the people who live in Aulnay".

European Parliament Plenary Session (continuation)