9/11/2001: JUST YESTERDAY
Three years ago today, 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 3000 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.
Americans are well aware that
terrorism was not invented on September 11. Far too many
countries around the world have endured tragic attacks for
decades and even centuries. Even the region around Rio de
la Plata is not safe from terrorism. We just need to remember
the tragic attacks against AMIA and the Israeli Embassy
in Buenos Aires, where hundreds of innocent victims were
killed.
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. Uruguay
has been an excellent partner in this fight against terror,
not only with us but also with other neighbors in the region.
Along with Uruguay, 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 with
you today to remember the fallen from over 90 countries
worldwide 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.
Last Thursday, together with
President Jorge Batlle, once again we lit up two powerful
beams of light symbolizing the twin towers. These lights
are our homage to all those who lost their lives in the
terrorist attacks, including Uruguayan citizen Alberto Domínguez,
another innocent victim, whose relatives shared the ceremony
with us.
Without any doubt, the best message
we can give is the one that is writen on a sign in front
of our Embassy: "Para Recordar" (To Remember).
No civilized person will be able to forget September 11,
2001.
