Transcripts For ALJAZAM Consider This 20150107 : vimarsana.c

Continue listening right now. Translator well [ inaudible ] against this kind of darkness. As well as any people not just in europe but on the planet so im pleased to be standing here with the foreign minister today. Poland is a strong stalwart advocate for and supporter of freedom and democracy, and they have stood on the front lines for a long time in that effort. They understand the price of freedom and they understand the cost. U. S. Secretary of state john kerry speaking there about the attack that took place in france. You already heard World Leaders condemning the attack. And u. S. President barack obama saying his thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the attack, and john kerry saying the same. Rosiland jordan was always listening in. And joining us live. I guess the general message is that freedom of speech must be protected and preserved. Reporter it must be preserved and in fact one other comment that secretary of state john kerry made was that he said that he agreed with the french immom who earlier condemned these attacks and called the 12 people quote martyrs for liberty. The secretary went on to stress the importance of the freedom of speech the freedom of expression and he said that extremists those opposed to civilization simply fear the expressions that people who worked for the magazine and for many around the world routinely express whether or not others might find their comments offensive. He said it was important to hold up fundamental value not just here in the United States but also in france which he said basically invented democracy. Beyond what we have heard from the secretary of state today and the u. S. President , how would you describe the mood the atmosphere there in the wake of this attack in france . Reporter well certainly there is concern about what has happened in france but there is also a question about whether anything similar could happen in this country. There hasnt been much of a discussion of whether or not there would be these sorts of attacks against journalists or any other group of people. There have been of course widely reported questions about the state of Race Relations in the United States but we havent seen this same kind of concern that might be over extremism that might be born. They have already offered assistance to french authorities as they try to investigate the shooting. When Something Like this of this magnitude happens in a european capitol, roz it is only natural about the possibility of something similar happening in the u. S. There must be some sort of coordination of security around the world, but can we expect more of that in the coming weeks . Reporter well, it really is going to come down to whether or not u. S. Law enforce and u. S. Intelligence feel that there is credible evidence that would suggest that something similar could happen in this country. Of course everyone is very worried about copycat attacks, but one thing that has been notable under the leadership of jeh johnson, who is the recently confirmed secretary of Homeland Security is a much more cautious and analytical approach to responding to these sorts of attacks. He is on the road today and expected to make Public Comments but we dont know if he is going to talk particularly about this event. That being said his agency is going to be taking a look at whether there should be a level of heightened security. Moving around this capitol on this wednesday, i havent seen anything out of the ordinary. There have been incidents in the past where i might have seen more local and National Police officers on duty very visible. I havent seen that so far today. And even though this event happened just as many people here in the u. S. Were starting their work day. Thanks roz. At least nine journalists and two Police Officers are dead. Thats what we know right now. Lets give you an idea of where the attack took place. It was [ inaudible ]. Masked men entered the building at 11 30 local time and opened fire. As they left the building they were confronted by police officer. At least one officer was killed at this point, and the men fled in a dark gray car. The vehicle was later found abandoned in the 19th district in the citys northeast. The gunmen are still at large. I am joined on the line by a terrorist analyst. It is difficult to predict an attack like this. But are you surprised at all that this attack was able to take place . You had multiple armed men carry out this act of violence then managed to escape and were on the run . We were not surprised because we were expecting such an attack to happen in france. It tapped against a journal that is a symbol of freedom of speech . France. The journal was protected by police and unfortunately the two Police Officers were killed in the attack. These gunmen were well prepared very professional in the way they attacked. Probably trained. But obviously this attack was targeting a symbol the freedom of speech symbol. We still dont know the identity of these gunmen or any possible military of Financial Support they may have been receiving from other groups whether inside the country or aboard there is still a great deal that we dont know but from what we do know about this attack, and the way it was carried out, how would you describe the possible motivation here . Its very difficult to have answers on that point. What we were hearing in france was an attack coming from returning from conflict in syria and iraq. People being trained to use weapons and explosives. We were also hearing people from inside france with ties to the Islamic State or other organizations, because we have seen that in the past we also have foiled terrorist attacks since a year now of the same time meaning involving individuals that are radicallized using weapons and trying to go forward with terrorist attacks. So again, we were expect such an attack unfortunately it comes against a journal which was the symbol of the liberty of freedom of speech. You are saying there was an expectation such an attack could take place. Why then was Security Services Intelligence Services not better prepared . French intelligence and french Security Services are tracking down thousands of individuals at the same time in the territory and abroad also. Its very difficult to secure everything and even if you can take 100 protection against for our citizens its difficult to reach the 0 risk. It will never be obtained. So again, we have been experiencing in the past terrorism on our soil. Today were more dealing with individuals or small groups acting very quickly. It is very difficult to track. We know that the two gunmen managed to escape. They are still at large. There is massive manhunt underway, can you tell what will be going on police and Security Forces, what they will be doing to locate them track them down and take them into custody. Well all around france there has been the the individuals and their cars their car has been [ inaudible ] to track down these individuals. We are still tracking down several profiles of people who were being sought by the police and Intelligence Services to know exactly where they are, and if they might have been involved or have knowledge of what happened today. All services are mobilizing to track down these individuals. We have Electronic Systems in place, and satellite systems to try to track them down. In terms of where the men might be right now, if you have Security Forces all over the capitol, but is it possible that they might given the security measures that have already been taken the city is sort of functioning as normal but there will be lockdown in certain areas, and a heavy armed presence there, to what extent will that restrict the movement of the attackers themselves . How difficult will it be for them to breach the boundaries of the french capitol . This morning the authorities established the highest level of security over potential terrorist attack. Today all of the religious sites, all of the press, also buildings and commercial centers, touristic buildings and sites are protected and protection is being reinforced. Theres not too much we can do because, again, we dont want to be to be you know in a situation where we fear what is happening. Life must go on again. This is very important because the game of the terrorist is precisely to demorallize society, and this is something we should we should be very tough at resisting. Its a difficult question to answer but im just trying to draw on your experience and expertise in this area from what we know of these attackers, the which in which they we know that they were well organized. We know they were well prepared. We know they were in possession of automatic weapons. It is likely they would try to target another location or another building or would they just go into hiding at this point . And how difficult is it going to be to track them down . It is indeed possibility that they could try to carry out other attacks. We have seen that in [ inaudible ] when [ inaudible ] targeted a Jewish Institution in brussels and then tried to reach france with weapons when he was arrested in the south of france. So it is of course a possibility that the individual would try to escape but also try to try to to commit other terrorist attacks, and this is what the fear we have today, and this is why all of the french Intelligence Police is mobile mobileized. Thank you so much. Lets take you through what we know so far and the reaction that we have had. In the worlds of the editor of the organization he said a newspaper is not a weapon of war. The words of the editor in chief. He escaped todays attack because he was in london but at least nine journalists and two Police Officers are dead. And as we were saying massive manhunt is underway. Jonah hull has the latest for us now. Reporter amateur footage shows two black hooded men taking their escape. A police is injured and then shot and pointblank range. In french the men are heard to shout we have arvenue avenue venn jed the profit mohammed. Amid the chaos that followed the attack at about midday paris time the president arrived on the scene. Translator its an about of exceptional bar barety that has been committed here against a newspaper that standing for freedom of expression against journalists determined to express their ideas. Reporter the president announced that france was on its high estate of alert. Translator the perpetrators will be hunted for as long as is necessary. Reporter as bullets were fired bystanders cowered behind parked cars. The police have not yet confirmed how many people died in the attack. Translator a van arrived with three masked men at the headquarters and used automatic weapons and killed anything they saw inside. Reporter an eyewitness described the scene. Translator i just got a glimpse, i saw people on the roof who were filming, then i saw a new car. It didnt look like a terrorist car. Then the car stopped just across from where we were. And two guys with black masks got out and started shooting. [ gunfire ] reporter more amateur footage filmed from a nearby building. [ gunfire ] reporter in the aftermath, emergency crews rushed the injured from the scene, a number of them said to be critical. The french cabinet met in emergency session. There is now a massive manhunt underway. The black car was later discovered abandoned. Three attackers were involved and it does appear likely that the publication was targeted as it has been before because of its satirical portrayal of political and religious leaders. Lets get the latest from Jackie Roland now. Jackie if we look at what would have been happening in the office this morning, it would have been particularly busy. Journalists would have been gathering together to have their editorial meeting. So you would have had many highprofile cartoonists present. I guess you can conclude this was a very welltimed attack. Reporter it would appear the attack was welltimed and well planned and also executed in an audacious way, which would indicate there were clearly more people involved than the attackers. There were three of them and they were carrying automatic weapons, clearly someone drove them there, and there was the getaway car as well. You also have to think about the chain of procurement for those automatic weapons. Not readily available here in france. The police are looking for a Broader Network of support, and the big concern in the minds of many year in france and paris particularly this evening is are the three men preparing to carry out another attack. And are there other groups who belong to some kind of a network who could be planning similar actions elsewhere in france. We know the terror alert has been raised to its highest level. What can you tell us about efforts to locate the gunmen . Jackie im not sure if you can hear me. Ill put that to you again. We were mentioning the terror ol alert has been well get back to jackie in a moment. But the entire french capitol very much in lockdown. These attackers managed to escape, and they are still at large, so there is a high security presence on the street and freedom of movement has been restricted to some extent. James bayes joins us live there the United Nations in new york. Has there been reaction from the u. N. . Reporter we have been getting reaction here at the United Nations on what is an attack on the freedom of speech many are saying. Ban kimoon happened to be touring the offices of the journalists that work here in the United Nations. The original plan was to wish us all a happy new year. He came around to do that and the coverage was playing out in all of our offices, the live coverage of of the events in paris. And after he greeted us all and spoken to all of us he then made this statement. Understand today very terrible terrorist attack has happened. So i would like to say a few words first. I want to express my outrage at the despicable attack today against the french magazine. It was a horrendous unjustified and coldblooded crime. It was always direct assault on a cornerstone of democracy, on the media and freedom of expression. I extend my deepest condolences to the families and my best wishes to all of those injured. We stand with the government and people of france. I trust that the french authorities will do all in their power to bring the perpetrators to justice quickly. This horrific attack is meant to divide. We must not fall into that trap. This is a moment for solidarity around the world, we must stand strong for freedom of expression and tolerance and stand against the forces of division and hate. Ladies and gentlemen, [ speaking french ] u. N. Chief ban kimoon expressing his condemnation of the attack which took place in france. And echoing what we heard from john kerry and barack obama, expressioning his solidarity with the french people. The city and country still very much in crisis as we try to track down these gunmen. And really the central message coming from World Leaders is that freedom of speech must be preserved and protected. Reporter absolutely and that message from ban kimoon where he talked about freedom of speech and expression being the cornerstone for democracy was excooed by the underhigh commissioner for human rights. He has given a statement that says if this attack is meant to feed [ inaudible ] clear aim is to divide religions and societies. Im very concerned this awful act will be exploited by extremists of all sorts. That is a statement out of the u. N. By the human rights chief of the United States. Were still awaiting a statement from the United Nations Security Council. They have 15 nations on it one of those nations of course is france, and they all have to agree on a statement before it is put out in their name. If any country objects to the worlding, then they have to break the silence, but that hasnt happened yet, and its likely that statement will be read out by the current president of the Security Council in about 40 minutes from now. When we get that reaction well certainly return to you james bays. Rush to the assistant professor of Foreign Policy at qatar university. The condemnation we have heard from World Leaders, but also the expression that freedom of speech must be preserved. This attack is seen as very much an attack on french values and the philosophy in the country as a whole. I guess the irony is this could play very nicely into the hands of those who have sought to limit freedom of speech in the past. Its an attack of the french identity because liberty of freedom is one of the cornerstones. Its normal to see several World Leaders back up france and criticize and condemn the attack. Here we do not have an attack on one side of international conflict. We have an attack on the value of civilization by a terrorist group that decided to operate in the daytime in the middle of paris in a very planned way. Choosing wednesday at 11 20 which is a moment when you have less traffic, in a place that is so easy to get away it is going to be extremely hard for the french authorities to find the perpetrators. They may have vanished by our now. Yes. The gunmen are still at large. We dont know if they have gone into hiding if they have received help or if they are trying to cross the border at this point. We know this is a very well planned, well organized attack. 12 people were killed as we have been hearing, two policemen one was shot at close range in some footage that we saw, which really exposes the ruthlessness of the attackers. But my point earlier being that we see this worldwide solidarity this acknowledge that this is an attack on freedom of expression and yet the irony is that the public and political backlash after this sort of thing and you can argue we saw the same thing after 9 11 that this does play into the hands of of those that seek to crack down on on freedom of expression. Im thinkin