27th January 2010, 08:35 PM
I have now taken the trouble to read the full article in Le Monde and have a much clearer idea of this particular problem.
INRAP has 2000 staff members. The article says that of these 95% are already decentralised and outside of Paris. This particular 'crisis' affects the 130 staff who are still left in the central Paris directorate of the organisation. Opponents of the proposal claim that the move to take the remaining 130 Paris posts to Reims is politically motivated and an attempt by the ruling party in Reims to encourage the voters in forthcoming elections. Many of the 'learned' persons interviewed are of the opinion that moving the directorate of INRAP away from Paris would be bad for French archaeology both nationally and internationally (?) as it would be seen as removing the close links between INRAP and the French academic bodeis based in Paris.
I suppose they have a point to an extent. Reims is about 130kms northeast of Paris (about the same distance as London-Southampton) and I am sure as we know in the UK (with Southampton being a very good case in point!!), intellectual ability does seem to diminish with a commute of about that distance......Also Reims is the capital of the champagne district....and probably a very bad area in which to base any centre concerned with archaeological excellence!!
Kevin - currently not drinking, but certainly thinking.....
INRAP has 2000 staff members. The article says that of these 95% are already decentralised and outside of Paris. This particular 'crisis' affects the 130 staff who are still left in the central Paris directorate of the organisation. Opponents of the proposal claim that the move to take the remaining 130 Paris posts to Reims is politically motivated and an attempt by the ruling party in Reims to encourage the voters in forthcoming elections. Many of the 'learned' persons interviewed are of the opinion that moving the directorate of INRAP away from Paris would be bad for French archaeology both nationally and internationally (?) as it would be seen as removing the close links between INRAP and the French academic bodeis based in Paris.
I suppose they have a point to an extent. Reims is about 130kms northeast of Paris (about the same distance as London-Southampton) and I am sure as we know in the UK (with Southampton being a very good case in point!!), intellectual ability does seem to diminish with a commute of about that distance......Also Reims is the capital of the champagne district....and probably a very bad area in which to base any centre concerned with archaeological excellence!!
Kevin - currently not drinking, but certainly thinking.....
With peace and consolation hath dismist, And calm of mind all passion spent...