Kerry delivers 'big hug' to Paris

[Surya Gayatri]

Source: France 24

US Secretary of State John Kerry made up for missing Sunday’s Paris unity march with a visit to the capital to meet French officials and show American solidarity in the wake of the recent terror attacks.

...

Fabius told reporters that Kerry had "apologised" for his absence.

Kerry and Fabius later laid a wreath at the Jewish supermarket where four people died in a hostage siege on Friday and at the offices of satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo, where 12 people were murdered by gunmen last Wednesday.

'We share the pain and horror'

Kerry had said on Thursday that his visit to France was to give a "big hug" to Paris.

And as he met with President François Hollande Friday, he clasped the French leader in a warm embrace on the steps of the Elysée Palace in front of a phalanx of photographers.

...

But the US came in for severe criticism from certain media for failing to send any senior officials to the march. It was instead represented by the country’s ambassador to France, Jane Hartley.

The White House since admitted it had erred in not sending a higher profile official to the march. Kerry, a noted Francophile who also speaks French, told French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius that he was unable to attend because he was travelling in India and Bulgaria.

Read more: http://www.france24.com/en/20150116-kerry-sorry-paris-unity-march-absence-hollande-charlie-hebdo/

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Kerry is addressing the people of Paris and France (in French) as we speak, from the Paris City Hall.

James Taylor is with him to give a brief concert, beginning with the Marseillaise played on his guitar, followed by the classic "You've Got a Friend"...

Stream coverage in English here:

http://www.france24.com/en/20150116-kerry-sorry-paris-unity-march-absence-hollande-charlie-hebdo/

[Sopkoviak]

1. James Taylor?

What? Carole King wasn't available to sing "It's too late?"

[Surya Gayatri]

2. He is a committed Democrat and often lends his voice

to political causes.

"You've got a Friend" seems more germane to me!

[blm]

3. Kerry was first to speak to French people via video immediately after attack.

France's president did not WANT leaders from other countries to show up so soon as some of you enamored with RW Moonie News seem to believe.

It serves the WORLD much better if US replaces its face in the anti-terror movement with the determination that INCLUDES all other nations, especially ones with majority of Muslims. It serves the world better for Kerry to pursue his scheduled meetings with other nations. Those meetings are important to pull off the REAL unity needed.

But, we can always count on you to see any action from this WH and SoS from the Moonie News lens, eh Sop?

Thanks for sharing it with us, though. We just don't get enough of the RW Moonie News views here.

[840high]

4. Many, many leaders did show up.

[blm]

5. Yes - even when France's PRESIDENT requested they stay home.

But then, I am sure the RW Moonie News sources have far more information that proves France's president was wrong to make that request, eh?

I am sure that RW Moonie News would love to see America's face as the ONLY face in the fight against terrorist extremists, eh?

Kerry has been working for the last 2 years to get other nations to pick up their own efforts against extremism so the US and its citizens don't have to be the ones always paying the price in blood and treasure - ALL nations, especially those in that region have the most at stake, especially ones with majority Muslim populations - THEY have been urged for the last two years to face the reality that THEY are the ones who will determine the course for peace in their region and in their religion.

RW Moonie News prefers that not happen and that US returns to Bush-Cheney's violent, bellicose style of wide-ranging wars and the claim that they, too, are doing it for 'God'. Gee - I guess Obama and Kerry have been major disappointments to Moonie News 'sources' who have no regard for their efforts to be more precise and more effective in the longterm.

[karynnj]

8. Not to mention, Kerry's actual itinerary was more difficult and more dangerous than going to France

He went first to India, where the Indian press after his trip disclosed that the US government security booked three hotels for Kerry. No hotel knew until he arrived where he would sleep, have breakfast or lunch -- and he was moved between them.

His next stop was the tourist hot spot of Pakistan, where over 100 school kids and their teachers were recently murdered by terrorists -- attacking because Pakistan has been attacking some of the terrorists. His message was not just condolences there, but that they needed to fight all the terrorists.

France, on the other hand, is a country he has loved all his life. His mother was born there, his grandparents rebuilt their estate (destroyed by the Nazis because the Forbes were friends of people like the Churchills) to insure that their grandkids - in the US and in France - could vacation together in the summers.

[YvonneCa]

14. "Tourist Hot Spot"...

... Love it!

[blm]

17. Well said.

.

[karynnj]

7. Both are friends of Kerry's -

Carole King sang for people at at least one Iowa house party (that CSPAN covered) in 2004.

As to it's too late? That is mostly a right wing meme and I suggest that at NO point did Obama's popularity fall to the lows that either GWB or Romney experienced in France. As to Kerry, he was one of the first to respond when the attacks occurred. His message was not just very poignant and sincere -- he spoke in French. I would not be surprised if he is the most popular American in France.

[YvonneCa]

15. Yes. In 2004...

...she came to Las Vegas in support of his candidacy. She spoke and sang for the canvassing groups that were going door to door. She was a very nice, down to earth person..doing what she could to support his campaign.

[mylye2222]

6. OK another Kerry thead.... another Kerry bashing round...

I ekjoyed hiz speech a lot. It showed true sincerity and compassion.

But so many people prefer the all staged stuff.

[karynnj]

9. It does not seem that either Holland or Fabius had any problems with Kerry

I like that the French included the man who had saved lives in one of Kerry's stops. If the French government itself thought they were snubbed, I seriously doubt the French PRESIDENT would have walked out to greet the US SECRETARY of STATE. In fact, if that were the case, I would guess that even the French foreign minister would have not had a public appearance with Kerry. France did not have to have its leaders join Kerry if they thought this was just for US consumption to get Obama off the hook.

It seems the ONLY people concerned about this are ones who WANTED to angry at Obama.

I was curious and looked at the polling numbers in the Gallup tracking poll. Given that the media spent all of Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday seeming to position this as a very important thing that Obama completely blew, you would expect his numbers to have sunk noticeably - at least temporarily.

http://pollingreport.com/obama_job1.htm

The 4 most recent data points here ( approval - 46, 46, 47, 46 and disapproval all 48) for the tracking polls that include any day 1/11 or later are higher than the preceding three days - where his approval was at 44 and disapproval was at 50 or 49. Gallup.com itself has a more recent day - January 13-15 and his approval is UP and at 48, with disapproval at 47.

So, I conclude that the American people are NOT disappointed in Obama -- the US media is!

[CentralMass]

18. Well stated

[Surya Gayatri]

10. Just the right tone...All the French press is saying how

sincere and heartfelt it was, and how well he masters French. He's very much respected here.

[YvonneCa]

16. As he should be...

...for his work.

[TeamPooka]

11. George Bush would have sent Taylor Swift to sing "Shake it off".

[Surya Gayatri]

12. Or, how about that wingnut standard "Proud to be an American"?

In your face, you cheese-eating surrender monkeys!

That was how the French perceived US attitudes toward them during the Shrub's tenure.

[Exultant Democracy]

13. It isn't it about time we sent them a giant metal statue?