Channel Islands Brussels Office (CIBO)
Following the terrorist atrocity in Nice on Bastille Day, 14 July, the Minister of External Relations of Guernsey, Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, and the Minister of External Relations of Jersey, Senator Sir Philip Bailhache, have each sent letters of condolence to the French Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Her Excellency Sylvie Bermann.
Deputy Le Tocq wrote:
“On behalf of the States of Guernsey, I wanted to offer our heartfelt condolences to you and the people of France following the shocking attack in Nice. Such an atrocity made even more bitter after celebrating with you at your Residence “La Fête Nationale” at your kind invitation. We join with those who personally commit to support France in upholding and defending “Liberté, Egalité et Fraternité” against such barbarism.
Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims. We in Guernsey stand firmly with the people of France at this intensely difficult time as we have done in the past. Our flags will be flying at half-mast as a mark of respect for those killed in Nice and to mourn this attack on equality, freedom and brotherhood.
Please accept, Madam, the expression of our deepest sympathy to you and he people of France.”
Senator Bailhache wrote:
“It pains me more than I can say to be writing yet another letter of condolence to you after the appalling attack in Nice on Thursday night. Indeed it is difficult to find the words to express our shock and sadness at this latest atrocity, the French people having already borne so much over the past 18 months.
The strength and the resilience of your countrymen and women in response to the dreadful events of last January and November 2015 have been an example to the world and it is a tragedy that such fortitude will be called upon once again. Terror and violence cannot and must not be allowed to prevail, and I know that the people of France will never be cowed.
the thoughts of the people of Jersey are with you at this very difficult time; morally we stand beside you and, together, we will defeat those who wish harm to our democratic way of life.”
