Sparkling holiday lights over the heads of throngs of shoppers on Boulevard Hausmann, Paris.
Visitors to one of Paris's premiere department stores received quite a shock today. Explosives sans detonators were planted in washrooms on several floors at Printemps on Boulevard Hausmann. French police say all explosives were found and made safe. Printemps, which was packed with holiday shoppers, was evacuated and traffic directed away from the area.
Agence France Presse received a letter signed by a group calling itself the Afghan Revolutionary Front, warning of "several bombs" placed in the store.
At a news conference in the European Parliament, French President Nicolas Sarkozy urged caution in reacting to the incident. "All we can do is to be prudent and moderate," Sarkozy said. "My belief has not changed since 2002 that vigilance in the face of terrorism is the only possible line to take."
The BBC's Hugh Schofield in Paris said the incident is a warning and reminder that the French people are not immune to the scourge of terrorism, despite there being no significant attack on French soil for more than ten years.
Police said the explosives - sticks of dynamite tied together with cord - were first located by sniffer dogs."Based on what we know, it was not a device that was set to explode. We are going to carry out an investigation to find the perpetrators," AFP quoted Interior Minister Michele Alliot-Marie at the scene.
The Afghan Revolutionary Front's letter reportedly said "If you do not send someone to intervene before Wednesday December 17, they will explode. Send the message to your president that he must withdraw his troops from our country before the end of February 2009 or else we will take action in your capitalist department stores and this time, without warning."
France has about 2,600 troops serving with NATO in Afghanistan, after reinforcements were sent earlier this year. Ten French troops died and 21 more were injured in August in an ambush east of Kabul. In a video broadcast last November, a Taleban military leader warned that "our reaction will be heard in Paris" if French troops are not withdrawn.
I just love your photos, thanks so much for all the lovely shop windows which i cannot see for myself, beautiful photos
Posted by: terry | 24 December 2008 at 10:36
The guardian angels were working overtime in Paris this week. Thank goodness no one was hurt!
Posted by: dutchbaby | 18 December 2008 at 01:30
Thank heavens no one was injured!
Take care, my friend~XOXO
Posted by: tinker | 17 December 2008 at 23:41
Tara, this is very scary. Stay safe and vigilant. XXOO
Posted by: Tammy | 17 December 2008 at 23:07
This is upsetting beyond description. This and the shoes incident. And Bush said something like, 'I don't know what his problem is.' ? Is there no limit to this guy's arrogance and stupidity? (Sorry, but facts are facts.)
And there's this general Administration attitude of, well, we might get them out by the agreed timeline, and we might still have troops there for awhile... holy cow. Our word means nothing.
I am not saying the 'front' is justified. They are creeps and destroyers and thugs. But what is true is that this Imperialist nation has treated the Iraqis like they are not human, sub-human, not deserving of respect, and if WE were treated like that... what do you think we would do? It wouldn't be a few isolated bombings. We'd invade, and subject.
I guess this hit a nerve...
Posted by: Chris | 17 December 2008 at 22:26
bonjour miss Parfait...miss visiting your page, comment ca va? check out my blog contest, a bientot
Posted by: Cathy | 17 December 2008 at 21:49
Three more Canadian soldiers arrived in coffins from Afghanistan.
Some people just do not want peace. Some people just live to terrorize and "control." I wish those Taliban dead would appear in spirit and tell their cohorts that darkness awaits them.
Posted by: Colette | 17 December 2008 at 19:58
it kind of puts the whole shopping madness in sobering perspective, doesn't it?
Posted by: julochka | 17 December 2008 at 11:16
Indeed ... . all we can do is focus on a brighter future in the New Year and envision that future to be as sparkling as the brilliant Paris your beautiful photos portray!
Judith de SFe
Posted by: judith | 17 December 2008 at 05:15
That is soooo scary!! Thank Goodness they were found and caused no harm...
But these sort of things really are distressing to the core!
Oh my goodness... Phewey...
xoxo
Posted by: A Fanciful Twist | 17 December 2008 at 05:03
Looking ahead to an New Year may Love and Peace on Earth rule!
Posted by: naturegirl | 17 December 2008 at 00:35
Glad all were ok. Thank goodness for that.
Posted by: My Melange | 17 December 2008 at 00:32
That's terrible! I pray that this senseless behavior stops.
Posted by: Christina | 16 December 2008 at 23:58
The beauty of this photo is such a stark contrast to the scary story it accompanies. I hope that this year sees a lessening in tensions, and that these incidents become less a part of daily life. For the majority of humans who try to get along, things like this are so disheartening.
Bravo to those brave police who made that store safe.
Posted by: tangobaby | 16 December 2008 at 22:29
I have loved all your recent photos. I love your new header too. Stay warm and have a lovely holiday.
Posted by: yolanda | 16 December 2008 at 17:32
Very distressing.
Posted by: Helen | 16 December 2008 at 17:21
Lets pray and wish Tara, that with the new year we have a better world and peace on Earth. Best wishew my dear friend. Philip
Posted by: Philip | 16 December 2008 at 17:17