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Paris Frustrated from Washington, London’s Warnings of Possible Terrorist Attacks | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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The European Championship trophy ahead of the Euro 2016 draw/Reuters


Paris-On Friday, Euro 2016, which is hosted in France, will be launched in 10 of the European country’s cities amidst serious security tensions.

Officers will also be stationed at Eurostar terminals and on some cross-Channel trains.

UK counter-terrorism officers have been “a key part” of security planning and a team is in France, police said.

It comes after officials in Ukraine arrested a Frenchman apparently inspired by extremist right-wing beliefs to plot a series of attacks.

In his car he was carrying two rocket launchers, explosives, detonators, five Kalashnikovs and 5,000 rounds of ammunition, intelligence officials said.

Just over six months after the Paris terrorist attacks killed 130 people at restaurants, a rock concert and the national stadium, President François Hollande said terrorism remains the biggest threat to the event despite strikes and protests against his proposed new labor laws.

Hollande said on Sunday it would be incomprehensible if transport strikes were to disrupt the Euro 2016 soccer tournament, raising pressure on the militant General Confederation of Labor Union to call off the action.

Hollande spoke as an opinion poll showed a majority of French people now opposed the wave of nationwide protests against planned labor law reforms that has disrupted fuel supplies and transport services in recent weeks.

Moreover, stoppages and street demonstrations, which have hit rail services, power stations, oil refineries, ports and waste treatment plans have tarnished France’s image with scenes of barricades and picket-line violence just as the eyes of Europe are on the host country of the Euro 2016.

“No one would understand it if trains and planes – I’m thinking of the Air France pilots’ dispute – were to prevent fans travel ling around easily, even if the competition itself has nothing to fear,” Hollande said.

Security wise, French officials were disappointed after what Washington and London have stated regarding Euro 2016.

Paris did not expect from U.S. State Department to ask its citizens to be careful in France during their stay from June 10 until July 10, considering that this request has increased the tense atmosphere.

This request was followed by what was published by Foreign Office, which said “Football fans travelling to France for Euro 2016 should be vigilant at all times in the face of terrorism threats.

In both cases, both countries deliver the same message, which is questioning French authorities’ ability to provide security during the football matches.