France: accused of racism, Hortefeux tries to redeem himself

PARIS - The Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux, close to Nicolas Sarkozy who has prompted an outcry after remarks cinsidered racist, said Sunday he would attend Monday night in Paris a dinner to break the fast, organized by the French Council of the Muslim faith.

•     "By his presence in the iftar, the minister responsible for relations with the cults will pay tribute to the representatives of Islam in France in this period of Ramadan so important for our fellow Muslims," he said in a statement the Department of Interior.
  
      Questioned by the press, a ministry source said that participation at the dinner organized by the representative body for Islam in France, had " been planned since a long time".  Eid el-Fitr is the Muslim festival marking the end of fasting month of Ramadan.
  
      Mr. Hortefeux found himself inside a political storm and was called to resign by some opposition leaders after the internet broadcast of a video tour September 5 at the University of summer party UMP (right, in power).
  
      Mr. Hortefeux, in an atmosphere of relaxation and fun, was introduced to a young activist from North Africa. "He's our little Arab," blows a woman.
  
      "There is always one. When there is one, it’s okay. It is when there are many that there are problems," he replied.
  
      The Minister has received the support of Prime Minister François Fillon, members of government and personalities of the conservative majority, who have denounced a "media cabal" and said the remarks had been taken out of context.
  
      The rector of the Paris Mosque, Dalil Boubakeur, of Algerian origin, testified his "personal support".
  
      President Nicolas Sarkozy, whom Mr Hortefeux is considered one of the closest associates, merely noted that he did not "lose time with polemics".
  
      Brice Hortefeux was from May 2007 to January 2009 Minister of Immigration and National Identity, responsible for conducting a policy of selective immigration, with greater use of extended border.
  
      
  Ennaharonline/ M. O.