FRANCE WARNS AGAINST MORE TROUBLE: In N.Y., Christopher
Clarey reports that after two days of unrest in Marseilles,
"relative calm returned to France's second-largest city.
The question now is whether the trouble is over or simply in
remission" (N.Y. TIMES, 6/17). REUTERS reports that France
"declared war" on soccer hooligans, saying that the violence
would not be tolerated. Interior Minister Jean-Pierre
Chevenement: "Utmost severity will be the order of the day"
(CBS SportsLine, 6/17). Michel Platini, French World Cup
Organizing Committee co-President, condemned the actions of
the hooligans: "These actions were organized and are the
actions of ringleaders. Everyone knows that the true
English supporters, in the stadium, behaved in exemplary
fashion." In L.A., Helene Elliott reports that the "wheels
of French justice began turning in an effort to curb the
violence darkening the World Cup's otherwise festive
atmosphere." Some hooligans were brought before a judicial
tribunal and others were expelled (L.A. TIMES, 6/17).
NOTES: In Houston, John Lopez profiles Sunday's U.S.-
Iran match. Iranian fan Hedayaed Azim: "Americans think of
us as animals. Why? There is too much thinking around the
world that we cannot coexist with other people" (HOUSTON
CHRONICLE, 6/17)....Enthusiasm for the Cup is strong in
Japan as NHK's broadcast of Japan's loss to Argentina on
Sunday was the highest rated sports program in Japanese TV
history with a 67.3% rating (DAILY VARIETY, 6/17).
