French press review 6 October 2009

by Amanda Morrow

Article published on the 2009-10-06 Latest update 2009-10-06 11:17 TU

Making headlines today is a French anti-doping agency report that alleges Tour de France team Astana were shown preferential treatment during drug testing during last summer’s event.

Le Monde is today quoting the ten-page document, which accuses the International Cycling Union of failing to apply the rules properly to Astana.

The team's riders Alberto Contador and Lance Armstrong took the winner’s trophy and third place respectively.

Le Monde gives details of how Astana was always allowed to have the last tests in the morning – and was given more time to do so.

The report also claims inspectors wrongly labelled tests carried out in team hotels.

The International Cycling Union has hit back, arguing the allegations are “totally unfounded”.

It's upset the anti-doping agency chose to publish its report, despite an agreement between the two bodies to work together on the testing programme.

In the future, the cycling union says, it may seek to work with a neutral partner for doping tests on French soil.

Over in the international pages, Le Monde looks to the Middle East.

Taybeh, the only entirely Christian village in the Palestinian territories, is starting its peaceful resistance to the Israeli occupation with an innovative strategy: beer.

In true Bavarian style, the village hosted its fifth Oktoberfest, welcoming some 9000 visitors over two days.

Le Monde delivers the news that a thousand litres of beer were consumed at the event, which brought both Christians and Muslims together.

It spoke with the Khoury family, who run the brewery that is the only producer of beer in the Palestinian territories.

A non-alcoholic version of their brand was rolled out for this year's celebration in green bottles marking the colour of Islam.

Back in France, two million people have voted no in an unofficial poll on the issue of privatising the postal service.

Communist daily L’Humanitié is again pushing the government to halt privatisation plans – today accusing the right of trying to force the issue even though the public have spoken.

It warns the government that the mobilisation against privatisation will be relentless.

But the government's standing firm, saying it is not prepared to scrap the plan.

Catholic La Croix, in its editorial, has criticised the vote - labelling it a democratic pretence. 

The French are deeply attached to the post office, La Croix says, which is the emblematic image of a public service dedicated to excellence.

The ballot did little to educate French on the realities of privatisation, but merely solicited the votes of a public already wary after precedents set by Gaz de France and France Telecom.

The opposition Socialists, meanwhile, are urging an official referendum on the issue.