Former U.S. Ambassador Heather M. Hodges Speeches

9/11/01: Just Yesterday

By Heather M. Hodges
The U.S. Ambassador
to the Republic of Moldova

September 11, 2004 

Three years ago, the world witnessed an unprecedented attack on the civilized world. The attacks of 9/11 shocked men and women throughout the world and ended the lives of citizens from over 90 countries. Memory of these events fuels America's continuing efforts to defend Americans and our allies by stripping terrorist organizations of their ability to operate and to attract new recruits.

The images of that day remain etched in the minds of all who saw them. To many Americans, 9/11 still seems like yesterday. On that day, al-Qaida's hijack crews stole the future from nearly 3,000 innocent people from all around the world and devastated the lives of their families and friends. They murdered infants cradled in their mothers' arms and grandparents flying to visit their loved ones. And now as plans move forward in Manhattan to build a memorial for the victims at Ground Zero, as well as a new office tower - 1776-feet tall, symbolic of the year of America's independence - we honor the souls lost that day in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania. We pray for the families and loved ones still struggling with their loss and left with only memories.

And let there be no doubt, we gather strength from our memories of those who died that day - and remain vigilant against those who still seek to harm us and our friends around the world. We know all too well that terrorism is a global menace that no nation will be able to confront alone. We join the people of Russia and the world in condemning the senseless acts of terror committed in that country in recent weeks, particularly the barbaric murder of children, parents and teachers in Beslan. We extend our deepest condolences to the victims and their families. Together with our partners we will defeat the forces, which would commit such barbarous acts.

During the past three years, al-Qaida's capabilities have been reduced by relentless international action on the law enforcement, military, intelligence, diplomatic and financial fronts. But, al-Qaida's desire to kill on a massive scale remains unchanged. And this danger is increased when outlaw regimes build or acquire weapons of mass destruction and maintain ties to terrorist groups.

Tempered by the tragedy of 9/11, America is determined to face these new threats, not ignore them or simply wait for future attacks. In the post-9/11 environment, the U.S. is working with its allies to reconfigure national and international security arrangements in order to prevail over terrorists as well as the states and organizations supporting them.

Our objective is a lasting, democratic peace in which nations can develop and prosper, free from the threat of terror. We are helping to build a hopeful future for people who have suffered for far too long. We will not allow troubled regions to remain mired in despair and violence.

Al-Qaida and its affiliates offer no constructive vision for the world. Their sole mission has been to destroy what others have built through hard work and commitment. Our common international efforts to defeat the terrorists, therefore, serve to provide the global security upon which free, peaceful nations can advance their social, cultural and economic development goals.

The United States and its missions worldwide are working daily to lay the foundation for peace by supporting the development of democracy. We support the hope and progress that democracy offers as the alternative to tyranny and terror. Quite simply, in democratic and successful societies, men and women do not adopt mass murder as a national policy; they turn their hearts and minds to building better lives for themselves and for their families through education and hard work. Democratic governments do not shelter terrorist camps or kill innocent men, women, and children. Rather, they raise their citizens up, expending their energies and resources on fostering the rule of law and seeking expanded opportunities for trade and other exchanges.

Americans pause today with people all around the world to remember the fallen from over 90 countries who died on September 11, 2001. We remember also their friends and relatives whose lives were changed forever. We replay in our minds the images of that horrific day, but we also embrace new images of hope. We remember the worldwide outpouring of sorrow and solidarity - in town plazas and at U.S. embassies - that were the seeds of the international campaign against terrorism launched in the wake of the attacks. We are committed to continuing to work with the international community toward the day when terrorists' messages fall flat, when their wallets are empty, and when their recruits turn away to take advantage of opportunities made possible by those who would build, not destroy.