
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, May 14, 1993                   TAG: 9305140039
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: PARIS                                LENGTH: Short

FRANCE MOVES TO CURTAIL AUTOMATIC CITIZENSHIP

In what is seen as a first step toward tighter controls on immigration, France's new conservative-dominated Parliament voted Thursday to make it more difficult for children born in France of foreign parents to become French citizens.

Until now, these French-born children became French citizens automatically at the age of 18, while their parents could apply on their behalf before then. Under the new rules, they must apply in person between the ages of 16 and 21 and, in some cases, can be turned down.

By choosing immigration as the issue of its first legislation presented to the National Assembly, the government of Prime Minister Edouard Balladur has clearly signaled that it plans to respond to growing French opposition to non-European immigration. - The New York Times

by CNB