2006 Press Releases

Press Release

November 11, 2006

September 11 – A Day of Grief to Unite Us for Hope…

U.S. Embassy’s Statement on the Occasion of the 5^th Anniversary
of the Commemoration of the September 11, 2001 attacks

Five years ago, nineteen terrorists killed more than three thousand innocent people.  Nineteen men driven by hatred crashed airplanes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.  A fourth airplane bound for Washington, D.C., never reached its target, thanks to the heroic efforts of the passengers. 

The victims of the September 11th attack were citizens of more than 90 different countries and adherents of many faiths, including Christianity, Judaism and Islam.  Terrorism affects all of us.  It has brought tragedy, destruction, death and terrible grief to innocent people across the world, from Indonesia to Morocco, Spain, Jordan, England, India and Egypt.  Since Osama Bin Laden declared war on America ten years ago, thousands of people of many nations, religions, races and beliefs have been murdered as a result of his instigation or incitement of acts of terror.

For a generation of Americans, the images of the World Trade Center towers burning and collapsing had the same impact as the attack on Pearl Harbor did on their parents and grandparents.  It was shocking, and it would never be forgotten.

The fifth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks is a reminder of the inhumanity of terrorist mass murderers whom the world must confront, and the shared challenge we face as an international community to confront an ideology that promotes hate, destruction and death.  This anniversary is an appropriate occasion for the international community to reaffirm our unequivocal condemnation of all acts of terror.  No faith condones the deliberate targeting and killing of innocent civilians, and no cause or grievance - no matter how legitimate – can ever justify it.

Terrorism is an international scourge, and effective resistance to it must be multilateral.  Terrorism is fed by lack of freedom and hope.  It is generated in societies that cannot protect, feed or educate their people.  It breeds among men who face the past and fear the future, men who fear equal rights for women, fear the rule of law, and fear anyone who questions their tyranny in the name of Islam.  They cannot see that terrorism is an abomination to the vast majority of Muslims.

To the extent that democratic nations join together to support freedom in Iraq and everywhere in the world where freedom does not exist, terrorism will decline.  Moldova, along with many other nations, is a valued partner of the U.S. in this effort and we appreciate Moldova’s contribution to humanitarian efforts in Iraq.  

As we look back on September 11, 2001, we also look forward.  We seek to work in a spirit of partnership with people and nations across the world to confront this ideology of hate and foster a climate of hope and opportunity.  We are far from perfect, yet we believe the ideals of freedom and justice that guide us are right and true for people everywhere.  We want to work in partnership with nations throughout the world in ways that will result in a more peaceful and prosperous world, and a better life for people everywhere.  And we renew our commitment to our founding conviction that all people are equal and equally deserving of justice, respect, opportunity and dignity.