Posted on 03/09/2005 6:42:15 PM PST by Land_of_Lincoln_John
PARIS, March 9 (AFP) - The strong case mustered by Paris for the right to hold the 2012 Olympic Games could receive a serious blow Thursday when unions stage a day of strikes and demonstrations against the government just as IOC inspectors are touring the capital.
Widely regarded as the favourite in the race for the games, Paris will have its weak spot dangerously exposed as much of the city grinds to a halt because of transport stoppages, walk-outs in government offices, schools and public utilities, and a mass protest march in the afternoon.
The 13 members of the International Olympic Committee's evaluation team were already digesting alarming news stories of looting and violence that broke out on the margins of a demonstration by school students on Tuesday, the day of their arrival. The march had to be called off because of the trouble.
Officials promoting the Paris bid were philosophical about the planned disruption, pointing out that the unions involved are unanimously behind the city's candidature and agreed to re-route the demonstration away from the inspectors' tour.
"We can't hide from it: abroad France is seen as a country of strikes. What we have to do is show that we are capable of positive discussions to overcome the problem," said Philippe Baudillon, director of the Paris bid committee.
"If we are asked by the evaluation committee, we will reply that in France we have a democracy, there is a right to strike, and we will add that if Paris gets the games, we will put in place a management system that limits the risks due to social problems," he said.
France is regularly beset by public sector and transport stoppages, but in the face of bitter opposition from unions the centre-right government of President Jacques Chirac has so far failed in its promise to push through a law guaranteeing a minimum service during strikes.
"If the Olympic Games can only take place in a land where there are no strikes or demonstrations, that means they cannot take place in a democracy ... we are not going to shut our mouths just because something else is happening at the same time," said Jean-Claude Mailly of the Force Ouvriere union.
Making its third bid for the Olympic Games in 20 years, Paris has so far put on a confident display - with politicians from right and left rallying behind socialist mayor Bertrand Delanoe and only a handful of Greens arguing against the nomination. Polls show nearly 90 percent of the public is in favour.
For weeks police vehicles and taxis have borne stickers supporting the bid, a vast multi-coloured representation of the Olympic symbol is emblazoned across the parliament building, and this week buses were flying Olympic flags.
The inspection team - which has already visited London, Madrid and New York and will travel on to Moscow - is being feted in a luxury hotel near the Opera, and will dine with both Chirac and Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin during its five-day visit.
On Thursday it will be given a tour - by coach, not public transport - of the key sites, including the proposed Olympic village in a derelict area of northwest Paris; the Stade de France and Parc des Princes stadiums; and even the Eiffel Tower, beneath which beach volleyball is planned.
Most of the venues are in the west of the capital, and the demonstration - likely to be a noisy affair - will be in the east.
Backed by the socialist opposition, unions are mounting a concerted campaign against the government's economic policies and are demanding pay rises, an end to reforms of the 35-hour working week, and action to cut unemployment which has risen above the symbolic 10 percent level.
With the school students on Tuesday and scientific researchers on the streets Wednesday, it is the third wave of protests since the start of the year, and Chirac is increasingly concerned that a tide of discontent could threaten the "yes" vote in May's referendum on the EU constitution.
Transport cancellations are expected to start Wednesday evening, and on Thursday the state-owned SNCF is guaranteeing only half of TGV fast trains and a quarter of commuter trains into Paris. Eurostar to London should operate normally.
The Paris metro operator RATP warned of serious disturbances varying from line to line. Strike calls have also been issued by unions representing bus and metro drivers in more than 50 cities.
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