Obama Urges Not to Equate Refugees to Terrorists After Paris Attacks

Washington (PNA/Sputnik) — US President Barack Obama urged on Monday to avoid mixing up problems like terrorism and the refugee crisis after last Friday’s terrorist attack in the French capital.

Speaking on the margins of the G20 summit in Syria, Obama said that it was important that we “do not close our hearts to these victims of such violence and somehow start equating the issue of refugees with the issue of terrorism.”

In September, President Obama announced that the United States planned to accept some 10,000 Syrian refugees in 2016.

“Even as we accept more refugees, including Syrians, we subject them to rigorous screening and security checks,” Obama said, reminding reporters that many of these refugees are themselves victims of terrorism in their home countries.

“Slamming the door in their faces would be a betrayal of our values. Our nations can welcome refugees who are desperately seeking safety and ensure our own security. We can and must do both,” the president emphasized.

A series of near-simultaneous attacks on restaurants, a concert hall and the Stade de France in Paris killed some 130 people and injuring over 350 last Friday.

Media reports transpired over the weekend that several of Islamist militants came to Europe among a huge stream of refugees. (PNA/Sputnik) JMC/SSC