Sarkozy vows to aid suburbs

PARIS, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy vows to do more for his country's troubled suburbs as a poll suggests many fear more violence in those communities.

Sarkozy Friday unveiled a plan to put 4,000 additional police officers in the suburbs, help 100,000 residents find jobs and start a "war without mercy" on drug dealers, The Daily Telegraph reported.

"There is new blood for France in these neighborhoods," Sarkozy said of the suburban estates, which erupted in riots last year and in 2005.

A poll released last week suggests 94 percent of those interviewed fear more violence will occur in the suburbs, the Telegraph reported.

Critics accused Sarkozy of fueling the riots in 2005 when, as interior minister, he suggested using a power hose to clear the "rabble" from the communities, which have large immigrant populations.

Sarkozy Friday said he stood by his suggestion but recognizes the need for more aid, especially for young people.

"I want to tell these kids, who are French, nobody will be judged by their skin color, or by the address of their district," Sarkozy said, noting there still must be respect for "our culture, our values, our law."