Categories: U.S. News

White House admits US absence at Paris unity rally was a mistake

The White House has admitted that the US made a mistake after not sending “someone with a higher profile” to Sunday’s Paris unity rally.

It comes after US media criticized President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry for not attending the demonstration.

The rally, which followed three terror attacks in Paris, was attended by an estimated 1.6 million people and some 40 world leaders.

The US ambassador to France was the highest ranking US official attending.

Speaking on January 12, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said President Barack Obama wished he could have attended, but the “onerous and significant” security preparations for a presidential visit required more than the 36-hour advance notice the White House received.

Josh Earnest added, however: “It’s fair to say that we should have sent someone with a higher profile.”

Seventeen people died in attacks in Paris last week at satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, on a police officer, and at HyperCacher supermarket.

John Kerry told reporters in India he would visit France to reaffirm US solidarity with the country, which he called America’s oldest ally.

A fluent French speaker, John Kerry has visited France 17 times since becoming secretary of state.

Among those linking arms in a symbolic gesture at the Paris march were UK PM David Cameron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

US Attorney General Eric Holder, in Paris for an anti-terror summit, did not attend the march because he was giving media interviews.

John Kerry was visiting India, for an international development trip, and Pakistan to meet PM Nawaz Sharif.

“I would have personally very much wanted to have been there,” John Kerry said, but “it is important to keep these kinds of commitments”.

John Kerry said US officials, including himself and President Barack Obama, had been “deeply engaged” with French authorities since the first attack and had offered intelligence assistance.

“I want to emphasize that the relationship with France is not about one day or one particular moment,” John Kerry said.

“It is an ongoing long-time relationship that is deeply, deeply based in the shared values, and particularly the commitment that we share to freedom of expression.”

John Kerry is expected to arrive in Paris later this week.

Meanwhile, the White House announced there would be an international summit in Washington in February on countering violent extremism.

hsxG2qECanQ
Nancy Clayson

Nancy is a young, full of life lady who joined the team shortly after the BelleNews site started to run. She is focused on bringing up to light all the latest news from the technology industry. In her opinion the hi-tech expresses the humanity intellectual level. Nancy is an active person; she enjoys sports and delights herself in doing gardening in her spare time, as well as reading, always searching for new topics for her articles.

Recent Posts

Donald Trump and Elon Musk Celebrate Election Victory at UFC 309

Image source: Wikimedia Commons President-elect Donald Trump celebrated his election victory at the Ultimate Fighting…

4 days ago

White House 2024: Donald Trump Wins, Kamala Harris Calls Him to Concede Election

Millions of voters across the US chose to return Donald Trump to the White House…

2 weeks ago

Who Won? Donald Trump Declares Victory as He Addresses Jubilant Supporters in Florida

Donald Trump declares victory in the US election as he addresses jubilant supporters in Florida.…

2 weeks ago

Stocks Soaring as Donald Trump Closes in on US Victory

Stocks around the world are rising as Donald Trump appears to be on the cusp…

2 weeks ago

Who Won? Kamala Harris Cancels Election Night Party as Path to Victory Narrows

Donald Trump has won Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia and taken a lead over Kamala…

2 weeks ago

Quincy Jones Dead at 91

Quincy Jones, the celebrated musician and producer who worked with Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Ray…

2 weeks ago