Paris summit a powerful rebuke to terrorists: Obama

 

Washington, 25 Nov 2015: The climate change summit in Paris next week is a "powerful rebuke" to terrorists and shows the global resolve to fight them, US President Barack Obama has said.

 

Obama would be among the top world leaders who will attend the important global meet on climate change in Paris, the city which was rocked by ISIS terror attacks earlier this month.

 

"And next week, I will be joining (French) President (Francois) Hollande and world leaders in Paris for the global climate conference. What a powerful rebuke to the terrorists it will be when the world stands as one and shows that we will not be deterred from building a better future for our children," Obama said at a White House news conference yesterday.

 

Hollande was standing by Obama’s side as the two leaders responded to questions from reporters, mostly focused on the Paris terror attacks.

 

This was the first meeting between the two leaders after the Paris terror attacks.

 

Obama saluted the people of Paris for showing the world how to stay strong in the face of terrorism.

 

"Even as they grieve, Parisians have begun returning to their cafes, riding the metro, and going to stadiums to cheer for their teams. Crowds gather in the Place de la Republique, including a mother who brought her children -- she said, ’to let them see that we should not be afraid’," Obama said.

 

"As one Parisian said, ’Paris will always be Paris’," he said.

 

Obama said since the attacks, Americans have recalled their own visits to Paris -- visiting the Eiffel Tower, or walking along the Seine.

 

"We know these places. They’re part of our memories, woven into the fabric of our lives and our culture. I am very grateful to the French people for the hospitality they’ve always shown me, and when they welcomed Michelle and our daughters on their first visit to the City of Lights," he said.

 

"By my bed, in the residence, is a picture of me and Michelle in Luxembourg Gardens, kissing. Those are the memories we have of Paris. As early on, I had no grey hair," Obama said.

 

"So when tragedy struck that evening, our hearts broke, too. In that stadium and concert hall, in those restaurants and cafes, we see our own. In the faces of the French people, we see ourselves," he added.

 

In Paris next week, Obama would have another meeting with Hollande.

 

In addition to attending the summit on Climate Change, his officials said the US President would also be attending events related to the terror attacks.