France’s ambassador to Canada says his country suffered a tremendous blow on Friday when terrorists launched a deadly series of attacks in Paris, but the French people will not be intimidated or live in fear.
In an interview with The West Block’s Tom Clark Sunday, Nicolas Chapuis was somber but defiant, saying his government appreciates the support it has received from around the world, including from the Canadian government.
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“It’s not the first attack against France over the last 30 years, but it’s certainly the largest one and the most atrocious one,” Chapuis said.
“But France will not be intimidated, and it will not change. Or if it does change, it will be for the better.”
The ambassador acknowledged that while French President Francois Hollande has called the attacks an “act of war,” it’s difficult to fight an ideology like the one espoused by the Islamic State, which has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
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“But it’s also a fight against an army,” Chapuis noted. “A real army, made of thousands of soldiers who are fanatical and barbarians. Soldiers, we know how to fight.”
Asked what he would like to see the Canadian government do in response to the unfolding crisis, Chapuis said unity among the coalition of nations fighting the Islamic State is critical moving forward.
“We need to stand united in this fight and the bombing campaign has not brought all the successes that the coalition expected. So there is a need for consultations.” he said.
“If we stand united we will be victorious.”
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