US President Barack Obama condemned the “cowardly, evil” assault on a French satirical newspaper that left 12 dead Wednesday, pledging US assistance to Paris to bring the attackers to justice.
The US leader, speaking from the Oval Office, expressed solidarity with France and pledged that the attack on Charlie Hebdo would not squelch the right to free speech held dear by both nations.
“France is one of our oldest allies, our strongest allies,” Obama said.
“For us to see the kind of cowardly, evil attacks that took place today, I think, reinforces once again why it’s so important for us to stand in solidarity with them, just as they stand in solidarity with us.”
“The fact that this was an attack on journalists, attack on our free press, also underscores the degree to which these terrorists fear freedom — of speech and freedom of the press,” he added.
“But the one thing that I’m very confident about is that the values that we share with the French people, a belief — a universal belief in the freedom of expression — is something that can’t be silenced because of the senseless violence of the few.”
Obama pledged to offer “every bit of assistance” possible to the French as the investigation of Wednesday’s attack proceeds.
Gunmen shouting Islamist slogans stormed the offices of the Charlie Hebdo weekly in Paris, armed with an AK-47 assault rifle and a grenade launcher.
The weekly’s editor Stephane Charbonnier and three renowned cartoonists were among those killed, officials said.
Charlie Hebdo had attracted controversy by publishing satirical cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed.
Secretary of State John Kerry — a frequent visitor to Paris on his diplomatic travels — said in French that he wanted to address the French people directly about the “murderous attack,” saying: “All Americans stand by your side.”
The “pen is an instrument of freedom, not fear,” Kerry said.
“Free expression and a free press are core values… principles that can be attacked but never eradicated.”