September 20, 2005
Philippe Douste-Blazy, the French foreign minister, has said that France had made progress in its fight against racism and rampant anti-Semitism. After a meeting with Jewish leaders in New York, including representatives of the World Jewish Congress, Douste-Blazy said the French government was pursuing a policy of "zero tolerance". His country had not been afraid of enacting tough new laws against incisive statements. His government's policy had led to a decrease in racist and anti-Semitic acts by 50% in the first half of 2005, compared to the same period of 2004, Douste-Blazy claimed, adding that it was violent incidents in particular which had decreased most significantly.
