Romania condemns Paris terror attack

Romanians join the international community in condemning the deadly terrorist attack in Paris.

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Roxana Vasile, 08.01.2015, 13:36

Romania is shocked by Wednesday’s terrorist attack in Paris against the Charlie Hebdo! satirical magazine. President Klaus Iohannis changed his Facebook profile picture to repeat the message “Je suis Charlie!” in a black box, a message that is now all over the Internet. Both the head of state and prime minister Victor Ponta sent letters to their French counterparts.

“I assure all Romania’s partners of our full support in fighting terrorism and extremism of any kind”, said president Iohannis. “The international community must have a firm attitude when faced with terrorist attempts to destroy the rule of law and to violate civic rights and liberties.” Prime minister Ponta said, quote: “Romania stands next to France and firmly condemns the terrorist act which affects fundamental liberties”. Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu said:

“This is an extremely serious attack against the press, the representatives of the press, and therefore an attack against the very essence of democracy and fundamental freedoms and values.”

At the French Embassy in Bucharest, the national flag flies at half mast, and people have brought flowers and lit candles. Ambassador Francois Saint-Paul thanked Romanians and the authorities in Bucharest for their support. People all over the world joined the chorus of furious protest and solidarity with the victims of violence against the right to free speech.

In an interview with the daily Le Figaro, writer Pascal Bruckner sees in this cold blooded massacre in the French capital, the worst in France in 50 years, a new stage in the war that radical Islamism wages against western democracies. He writes that these are the acts of Islamo-Fascists, and that the victims at Charlie Hebdo, among them four of the best known French cartoonists, are the Resistance in this war. He said journalism is based on the freedom of expression, something journalists fight for with their pens. The editorial in Le Nouvel Obeservateur writes that Charlie Hebdo must become a symbol of resistance against fanaticism, as this is an unprecedented attack against the press, democracy and the entire nation.

The present socialist government in Paris in particular, and the French political class in general, are gathering ranks and making a general appeal to unity and solidarity, condemning the cowardice of the terrorists and assuring them that they would not have the last word.