ROANOKE TIMES 

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

DATE: SATURDAY, June 16, 1990                   TAG: 9006160069
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A8   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: PARIS                                LENGTH: Short

FRANCE EYES BROTHELS TO CURB AIDS SPREAD

Because of an alarming rise in AIDS cases, French officials are considering reopening the government-sanctioned houses of prostitution that were a fixture of Parisian life until they were closed through the efforts of a crusading city councilwoman 44 years ago.

Paris' director for health and social welfare, Michele Barzach, faced with statistics showing Paris as Europe's leading city for AIDS cases, has called for a crackdown on street prostitution and the reopening of brothels.

Barzach's statement rekindled a debate that has surfaced periodically here since the government-sanctioned houses of prostitution were shut under a law promulgated in 1946 by Councilwoman Marthe Richard. The ordinance was followed by an act of Parliament that resulted in the closure of brothels all over France. Prostitution itself is not illegal.

- Los Angeles Times 


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