AFTER the horrific and barbaric terrorist attacks in Paris on Friday, I feel moved to make my views known.

My thoughts, and I would imagine the thoughts of all peace loving people around the world, are with Parisians and the French nation at this time.

Terrorists exist because they do not think their views are being heard and addressed (rightly or wrongly).

As Britain found out with Northern Ireland, the only way out of predicaments like these is to talk. Break down the barriers by communication rather than breaking human lives.

I am not defending one side or the other, but I do urge both sides to forego their ammunition and talk to each other in an attempt to find a way to resolve these problems.

We are all human beings and we can all get on and live with each other in peace.

There will always be the odd lunatic around but the vast majority of people can be talked to and negotiated with.

All sides have committed atrocities but when innocent civilians are targeted it goes too far.

People who slaughter innocent bystanders out for a night of pure entertainment are nothing more than cowards and, as I state above, that applies to all sides.

Let us try harder to live peacefully together.

H F Perry, Dringhouses, York