Le Monde

[Alexander]

France Increases Forces at Spanish Border, Responds to Catalan Crisis

Paris - In response to the civil disturbances in the Catalonia region of Spain, the Minister of the Interior has declared a border emergency. The declaration allows for the deployment of French soldiers to the Franco-Spanish border in Occitania. Border forces have been instructed to grant entry to any and all Spanish citizens with a valid visa or seeking refugee status. The French Red Cross has already been mobilized to provide aid to Spanish refugees. In response to the Catalan Crisis itself the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs has stated it maintains the recognition of Catalonia as an autonomous part of the Spanish state and that the unity of the Spanish state may not be infringed. It has however called for caution on the part of the Spanish government to protect the rights of minorities.

It came as a total surprise to French authorities when the first signs of rebellion in Catalonia broke out. When the first refugees began showing at the French border crossing the border guards were initially overwhelmed. Spain had long been a stable and almost passive neighbour. While the region of Catalonia has had a long history of resistance, much like the Basque region, analysts had assumed their movement would remain peaceful. The Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs was quick to comment that France would continue its recognition of the Spanish borders as agreed upon by the international community and established through numerous treaties. This comes as little surprise, seeing as the French state itself does not want to encourage secessionist movements in its own territories. "The Spanish state has long taken care of the Catalan minority, we have no reason to believe that independence at this stage is the best avenue fior the Catalan people". The Minister also expressed resistance to efforts by other parties to escalate the matter to the global level. "At this stage we have no reason to believe the Spanish state needs outside help to stabilize its state. Furthermore, we have seen no signs that Spanish authorities are acting heavy-handed towards the Catalan minority. However, as always we continue to monitor the situation and urge the Spanish to maintain restraint."

While the position on foreign policy is clear, the crisis has also created a sudden refugee crisis on the border. Under French law any person seeking asylum for any reason is to be taken in at an official border post and processed by the Ministry of the Interior. To keep up with the flow of refugees and to prevent armed militants crossing into French territory, the Minister of the Interior has declared a border emergency and requested the Ministry of the Armed Forces to deploy soldiers to the border in Occitania. Under the order, 2,000 soldiers will support the 400 border guards and 10,000 Gendarmes already in the region.

Per applicable laws any Spanish citizens with a valid visa or requesting asylum will be taken in by the French Empire. The French Red Cross has begun setting up temporary placement camps in the border region where asylum seekers will be kept while their applications are processed. If approved, which under the current conditions its likely, they will be granted refugee status which allows them to live and work in France.

Zak