Thirteen days of riots in France and the French government has yet to gain physical control.

While Ed Board does not condone rioting, we can’t help but point out the obvious symptoms that led to this violent outbreak of chaos: High unemployment and socioeconomic discrimination.

The national unemployment rate in France is 10 percent. In areas where the rioting is occurring, the unemployment rate is as high as 40 percent.

The catalyst for the riots in France came after two youths of North African descent were accidentally electrocuted while hiding in a power substation because they thought police were chasing them.

Adding fuel to their fire, Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy has called troublemakers “scum” and has vowed to “clean out” troubled suburbs. The violent protests have spread to more than 200 French cities and towns.

Ed Board thinks it’s important for France to gain control and applauds the steps it has taken to do so, including an enforced curfew and increasing its police force to 9,500. However, we do not agree with France’s other method: outright bribery.

Yesterday, French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin announced some drastic changes and opportunities that are intended to directly affect the rioters. He has promised that €30 billion will be spent in the riot zones, primarily focused on young people. He said the French employment agency would help to provide 1.5 million jobs, in addition to €1,000 handout plus a monthly supplement to return to their jobs. He also announced religious and civic associations will receive €100,000 for outreach programs.

These are just a few of the benefits the rioters will receive for making their unhappiness known through violence and destruction.

Though Ed Board sympathizes with their problem, De Villepin may have gone a bit overboard in his effort to appease them and avoid giving real consideration to the problem. The outreach problems are proactive efforts to help the citizens; change is gradual. Handing out money to buy peace is not the answer, and cash is no substitute for diplomacy and understanding between warring factions.

Ed Board thinks these promises are rash and aimed at getting the rioters to stop rather than gaining control through increased police force.