The French president, Emmanuel Macron, warned this Thursday of the threat of Russian disinformation during the Paris Gameswhile ensuring that they are prepared to face it and confirmed that there are alternatives for the inauguration ceremony, although they continue to prioritize doing it over the Seine.
“I have no doubt” that the Games will be a target for Russia, “including in the field of information”Macron said during the inauguration of the aquatic center, the largest sports project built for next summer's Olympic Games.
Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Photo:
Russians “feed doubts about what we can or cannot do. It is a risk. That is why we must be firm. Strength, self-confidence, the relationship with the truth, is the power of a democracy and of great nation,” he added.
Macron considered “ridiculous” the insinuations of some Russian officials that France could be behind the Moscow attack on March 22 and considered it “false information that goes into the elevation of the threat.”
“The manipulation of information is part of the war arsenal that Russia uses,” he insisted.
The manipulation of information is part of the war arsenal that Russia uses.
Faced with this threat, Macron assured that they maintain maximum vigilance, but warned that concern should not lead to paralysis.
“The best way not to take risks is to do nothing. But that is not France's project,” said Macron, who assured that the alert will be maximum from the arrival of the Olympic torch on May 8 in Marseille until the ceremony. closing of the Paralympic Games on September 8.
Regarding the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, scheduled for July 26 on the Seine, the president stated that it continues to be the “privileged” option, although he reiterated that they have others in case the terrorist threat makes it advisable.
Olympic Games
Photo:
“If the threat changes, we have other reserve options. But the one that predominates, the one we prepare, the one we assume and want, is the one planned by the organizers,” he assured.
Macron also responded to the sectors of the far right in France that criticized the possible presence of the Franco-Malian artist Aya Nakamura at the inauguration ceremony. and, without confirming it, he assured that the artist would have “all her space” at the event.
“Her music addresses many of our compatriots (…) If she is part of the cast it will be good, the opening ceremony should show what France is and she is part of French culture. For my part I am not going to go into artistic choice, but I am going to defend the freedom to choose artists who represent France in all its diversity,” he said.
#France #warns #threat #Russian #disinformation #Paris #Olympics
