Paris 20/1/98

We are trying to put together a sort of resume of actions throughout
France -type of actions, location, slogans, groups involved, police
reactions - but we are living from day to day, an ever-changing
reality. This movement has developed and changed in reaction to the
Jospin government and police behaviour. Why do the unemployed no
longer occupy job centres - because the police kicked them out so the
next battleground became those institutions where the unemployed go
to demand help (benefits centres, i.e. the centre d'aide sociale) and
now chambers of commerce, préfectures, electricity/gas centres,
etc)

The decisive moment for us now is the Jospin interview on TV this
evening. However, yesterday (20/1) question time at the Assemblee
Nationale, shows that he is not willing to increase the low paid
benefits (minima sociaux). So the battle continues- I'rn glad, I've
got used to organising food, money etc. As someone said; "after a
strike, the workers go back to work. after fighting for our demands
without positive results, where do the jobless go?"

Our aims have developed and expanded in relation to our actions:

1st. 3000FF- an end of the year payment for bills like rent and
electricity etc, which was always paid for by the Fonds Social, until
Nicole Notat abolished it in June l997 (new)

2nd 1500 FF an immediate increase in low-paid benefits for all
categories - pensioners, handicapped people etc. (new?)

3rd RMI extended to 19/25 years old, Revenue Minimum d'lnsertion,
given to people who have either no other source of income if they
qualify, and to the unemployed at the end of their unemployment
rights. (old) Now we want this income to include students. (new)

4th an entire revision of the unemployment benefit system. The 1500
will be an interim payment while waiting for reform to be effective.
(new)

5th representation. A demand dating back to the Unedic reforms of
1997, and the fight to have unemployment associations list of
addresses put up in the job centres. This has been done in the ANPE
centres (public sector) but not in the ASSEDIC (private sector, but
controlled by Unedic).

I haven't seen any English reports yet - do let us know what they are
saying -about us. We think that Jospin is under a bit of pressure not
to give in to our demands. Euro is due May 1st. French budget margins
will shrink from 3% to 2.5%. At the European Marches coordination
meeting 10/1/98, most media coverage was in Belgium , Spain and
Italy. Very little from northern countries. Now we have television
crews and journalists from as far north as Sweden to US, UK, Germany,
Austria and Switzerland. Especially BBC - the Newsnight programme? We
enjoy seeing them, but they are too many, and it seems to me they
always want to film the same things - what we do, how we are
organised and how we demonstrate. Worst still, they are invading all
our places then show only a minute footage! However, TV has been very
useful to combat the Préfecture de Paris' use of the CRS to impose
a blockage on food etc. We use them and the radio to denounce the
blockage on newspapers, food & soap etc.

This blockage has only been a problem in Paris. It just means that in
Paris, we must bring food, soap, toothpaste etc to the occupants and
that is becoming expensive if there are more than 20 people in an
occupation. But fund raising is now getting well organised in Paris.
Unlike other parts of France, we can't block motorway tolls, so we
collect money on demonstrations. Fortunately there are lots at the
moment. The 'Parisien' newspaper, weekend 17 & 18/1, reported that
70% supported the unemployed and gave the unemployment associations
58% confidence in their actions, compared with 45% to Jospin's
government behaviour. Radio coverage is excellent, France Inter and
France Info (both are on Minitel). Also AFP are excellent, they are
also on Minitel or database news service.

I hope all this helps. I must go. Another demo/action. Unfortunately
timed for 6 am. That's rare. It is a joint action with other groups
to violently wake up Jospin. It is a part of shock tactics.

The ENS occupation ended on Monday, peacefully. People just walked
out. Occupation of the EDF offices in the 18th arrondissement ended
by the CRS at 6 am. No unnecessary violence.

Lots of EDF offices have been occupied in France. There will soon be
a new demand to our list to stop all cuts in public utilities for the
unemployed at the end of their rights.