Former Ambassador Pamela Hyde Smith Speeches

Ambassador Pamela Hyde Smith's speech at the opening of the international conference "Cooperation in the national and regional security"

June 2, 2003

Minister Gaiciuc, Deputy Minister Botnaru, Colonel Pratt, distinguished guests and participants: it is a great pleasure for me to be here at the opening of this conference.

The United States changed dramatically on September 11, 2001. Images of the airplanes crashing into the World Trade Center towers were seared into my nation's memory--Americans can tell you exactly where they were and what they were doing when they heard of the tragedy. Over three thousand innocent people were killed that day. And it wasn't only the United States that suffered - citizens of over 80 countries were killed in the terrorist attacks. This fact, together with the willingness of free nations around the world to fight the scourge of terrorism, underlines the global nature of this War on Terror.

One of the most powerful tools we have in the War on Terror is cooperation among nations. It would be impossible for one country alone to defeat the terrorist networks, so countries around the world have made the decision to share knowledge, resources, and experience to fight the terrorist scourge. This global alliance, working together for a common goal, is what assures us all victory in the end. No group of criminals can withstand the power of freedom-loving countries working together.

It is an honor for the U.S. Embassy to support this conference. We appreciate the efforts of the Pro-Marshall Center members in organizing this event and bringing together so many specialists from this region. Opportunities such as this, to talk together and share experiences, are a vital part of our joint efforts to improve regional cooperation to fight terrorism.

I wish you success in this conference and urge you to use this forum to find ways to more effective regional cooperation in the War on Terror.

Thank you very much.