Gypsies, Tramps, and Thieves: Aren't welcome in France.
In the wake of a spate of violent incidents, the French president has announced his intention to attack "the problem of the behaviour of certain elements in the Rom and itinerant community," recommending that foreign troublemakers be deported to their country of origin — a controversial policy in both France and Romania, which highlights the European dimension of this issue.Or in Germany.
"At home in Germany", headlines Der Freitag, with a photo of one of the 12,000 Roma and Ashkali that Berlin intends to deport to Kosovo in the coming years. The Berlin weekly concludes that the deal, which "Kosovo accepted under pressure" last April, constitutes "a catastrophe for the families", who for the most part arrived in Germany in the early 90's. The paper declares that it is a "disgrace for Germany" to pursue an agreement that qualifies Kosovo, a country shaken by ethnic tensions and incapable of protecting those who return, as "safe". The majority of the nearly 6,000 children and adolescents affected have grown up in Germany, speak neither Serbian nor Albanian and will probably be unable to continue their studies.(British citizens don't seem fond of gypsies, either, but, as far as I know, the British government hasn't attempted to deport them en masse.)
The German policy does seem more than a little cruel, though I don't know whether they have any better alternatives.
Imagine the reaction in the European press if George W. Bush had done something similar.
(As most of you have already guessed, I borrowed the title from Cher.)
