EU commissioner apologizes for "insulting remark" on France's expulsion of Roma

BRUSSELS, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- European Union (EU)'s justice commissioner had apologized for her remark concerning France's decision to expel Roma, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said here on Thursday.

Viviane Reding, commissioner for justice, fundamental rights and citizenship, gave her apology for "insulting remark," Sarkozy said on the occasion of the European Council meeting.

All heads of state and government were "shocked" by her words that linked Roma expulsion and World War II, Sarkozy explained.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso also expressed his disagreement with the commissioner's remark, Sarkozy added.

France refuses further argument over Roma after EC criticism

PARIS, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- France was "astonished" at hearing criticism from an European Commission (EC) official over its policy on the Roma people (also called the Gypsies), the Foreign Ministry said Tuesday, but refused further argument concerning the issue.

The ministry spokesman Bernard Valero said France was "astonished" to know the announcement of Viviane Reding, the European Commissioner for Justice and Citizen Rights, that she planned to open "infringement proceedings" against Paris.

Earlier Tuesday, the top EU justice official, unhappy with France's dismantling of Roma camps and deporting Roma people in August, called French attitude "a disgrace" at a press conference.

"I personally have been appalled" by the apparent singling out of Gypsies," she said. "This is a situation I would have thought Europe would not have to witness again after the Second World War." 

However, Valero insisted the Roma people's welfare was always "at the heart of our concern," saying he didn't think "this kind of declaration can help to ameliorate the situation of the Roma."

French government wouldn't like to see further argument on the issue, he added. "It's not time for argument, neither for declarations of this kind. It's time to work for the benefit of Roma people."

On Monday French media reported that more than a hundred of Gypsies would be sent back to Romania Tuesday on a charter flight leaving southern cities of Marseille and Provence. They include adults and children.

So far close to a thousand Romas have been expelled since July, bringing the total number to 8,000 in this year. Many deportees told media they were likely to return afterwards.

France already expelled about 10,000 Romas to Romania and Bulgaria last year.

Controversies arose both inside and outside the country. Opposition left-wing socialist politicians accused the government of "official racism." In eastern Europe, Romania and Bulgaria have protested against the French policy.