Aljazeera on the French Intifada

Aljazeera is focusing in on Sarkozy and what they are reporting as the incitement his comments caused:

Aljazeera

Per Aljazeera Sarkozy has political reasons for his rhetoric as well:

Since then, there has been evidence it has been fanned by tough rhetoric by Sarkozy, who has been preparing a bid to run in 2007 presidential elections on the strength of "zero tolerance" law-and-order policies.

The rioters agree with Aljazeera and say that Sarkozy is the cause of the Intifada:

It was calm for a long time here. If there hadn't been Sarko's words - 'power-hose,' 'rabble' - there wouldn't have been all this," a 22-year-old man in the northern tinderbox suburb of Aulnay-sous-Bois said.

He makes us suffer, he's a racist. He's put fuel on the fire," Fatou, a 14-year-old boy of African background, said.

The news organization says the Intifada itself has been pretty harmless all things considered, you know a few fires, a few beatings a few gun shots fired:

A few shots have been fired at police - an unusual occurrence in France - but did not cause any injuries.

There have been no deaths so far, but at least two people have been badly burnt by Molotov cocktails: a fireman, and a handicapped woman unable to get off an ambushed bus.

A 61-year-old was also in a coma after being beaten in a public housing estate. (my update: the victim died today from the beating)

Seems that Aljazeera’s read is: this ain't no intifada brother………………………Which is not a very reassuring thought when considering what appears to be coming next…………………….