McCartney to Quebec Nationalists: "Smoke the Pipes of Peace"

In response to Quebec nationalists who are opposed to a free gig by Sir Paul McCartney this weekend, the former Beatle has said that they should "smoke the pipes of peace," the BBC reports.

McCartney spoke out after artists and politicians questioned his participation in the 400th anniversary celebrations of Quebec City. Activists say that his presence is inappropriate because of Britain's conquest of New France in 1760.

McCartney's comments, made on Radio Canada, refer to his 1983 hit, "Pipes of Peace."

He said, "I think it's time to smoke the pipes of peace and to just, you know, put away your hatchet because I think it's a show of friendship."

"I'm very friendly with the French people that I know."

"I know people of all nationalities and, hey, I'm friendly with German people and, by that argument, I should never go to Germany or they should never come here."

Reportedly, organizers are expecting a crowd of about 200,000 at the concert, which will be McCartney's only scheduled live appearance in North America this year.