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Articles features

Paris attack wake-up call for indifferent nations: French envoy

New Delhi, Nov 19

The horrific Paris terror attack of November 13 is a "wake-up call" for countries indifferent to this rising global threat to take stern action against perpetrators and this will be raised at the UN Security Council this week, the French envoy to India has said.

"The horrific action has created a warning among many countries which were inclined to compromise (on terrorism), and this attack is a wake-up call," French Ambassador Francois Richier told IANS in an exclusive interview at the embassy here.

He expressed solidarity with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's stance that the world should be united in fighting terrorism.

Simultaneous shootings and explosions at multiple locations in Paris killed at least 129 people and injured over 350.

Richier was especially concerned about how "the attackers are not targeting politicians or high profile people but commoners".

"I believe no country in the world will tolerate this. Terrorism is an important issue. It needs to be addressed. We are currently raising this issue at the UN Security Council this week and will propose an amendment against terrorism," he said, without divulging any further details.

France is one of the five permanent members of the Security Council with veto power. This high table of geopolitics is entrusted with maintenance of international peace and security.

On terrorist outfit ISIS, which claimed responsibility of the attack, issuing warning of more such attacks, Richier said: "We're not afraid."

"I think the ISIS is betraying the very value of Islam. Those who attacked are trying to create fear in the minds of people and curb freedom. But we would like to spread the message that it won't affect the freedom of people," he said.

"It's a war which has been declared on us but we are fighting that war. We are not afraid."

Following the attack, Paris is already back on its feet to host the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference, scheduled to start on November 30. There is tight security.

"Around 50,000 people from all over the world are expected to come for the conference. It's a major event, and there are many side events that happen. This time, we are thinking of keeping only the extremely necessary side events, for security purposes," he said.

(Nivedita can be contacted at Nivedita.s@ians.in)