‘UK will leave no stone unturned in helping France defeat terrorism’ – Daniel Kawczynski, British MP
I will ask in parliament about what cooperation can take place between our security services in terms of sharing information and collaborating to take on - collectively - this common threat to us, which is terrorism, British Conservative MP Daniel Kawczynski told RT.
RT:The French PM says France will have to "live with terrorism." Is that the reality for the country now?
Daniel Kawczynski: First of all, obviously, we in the UK send our greatest condolences to our French neighbors. On the Foreign Affairs Select Committee we were invited to Paris on Wednesday to engage with our French counterparts to discuss Brexit. The warmth and kindness that we were met by our hosts in Paris certainly had a profound impact on me. These are our nearest neighbors, apart from Ireland, and we stand shoulder to shoulder with them. It is very important that our own government does everything possible to help the French government going forward. I will be asking a parliamentary question about what additional cooperation can take place between our security services in terms of sharing information and collaborating together to take on - collectively - this common threat to us, which is terrorism.
RT: Why is the country being targeted more than others in Europe?
DK: Well, I have to say that we in the UK have lived with terrorism, as well. I remember only too well in 2005 the appalling terrorist acts that took place here on the streets of London. So this isn’t a situation peculiar to France, this has unfortunately happened in numerous European capitals. We faced terrorism for decades here in the UK from IRA [Irish Republican Army] terrorism, when there were bombs going off on our streets and people being mowed down in our cities. We got through that, because of a passion for our country and a resolve amongst all the British people to stick together and to get through it. This is exactly what the French people will do. Yes, it is a very difficult time for them, but I know they that will get through this going forward. Although they have to deal with terrorism at the moment and we will help them, I know and I am confident that the French people will get through this.
RT: We've heard from President Hollande that the state of emergency will remain in place, but the terror threat has been upped meaning restrictions on public gatherings and a military presence. Is that going to help?
DK: Clearly the measures that are being put into effect are the responsibility of the French government. I don’t think it will be appropriate for me to comment about the measures that they are taking at this stage. Clearly my own government, I am sure, our new Prime Minister Theresa May, who has run the Home Office very successfully for the last six years, and who, by the way, has cooperated extensively with her French counterparts, predominately over the issue of Calais crossings and the border controls at Calais. So she has got experience and form with her French counterparts. I very much hope that she will take the lead in showing France that no country is more determined to help them at this difficult time than their neighbor, the United Kingdom. We will leave no stone unturned in showing France solidarity in defeating terrorism.
ISIS loses territories: attacks in West will increase
Former Pentagon official Michael Maloof said the attack in Nice is not surprising as ISIS loses more territory that is why they are going to be hitting more and more in the West.
RT: What is your take on this terrible attack in Nice?
Michael Maloof: First of all, it is very unfortunate this happened. It is outrageous that it occurred. But it is not surprising, because as ISIS loses more territory, they are going to be hitting more and more in the West, and that is what they have been training for. This is a classic asymmetrical warfare – to get into an area where there’s high population density. Obviously past security, if there was security down there, and hitting soft targets away from the major capital, where the place is bristling with arms and guards now. So you hit a place that is a high density area of population and it is off the beaten course - you’re not expecting something like this in Nice, of all places. The use of a truck is also intriguing. Luckily there were no explosives on board, but this has happened in the Middle East on a number of occasions. If you recall the Beirut bombing in 1982, the Marine barracks there - they used a truck, but that one was filled with explosives. That is how they got through. Clearly, whoever was driving was armed and prepared to fight. So this appears to be a terrorist attack.
RT: Do you think it was a terrorist attack?
MM: Whether it is inspired or it was directed, the differences are blurred completely. This is something that is going to go on. If it was not directed, it was inspired, and whatever these individuals did was done with doing a lot of damage and killing a lot of people. The fact that they are aiming at civilians – that’s an ISIS trademark.
The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of RT.
