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9/11/01: 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 the images of that day remain etched in the minds of all who saw them. On that day, al-Qaida’s hijack crews stole the future from nearly 3000 innocent people from over 90 countries. To many Americans, 9/11 still seems like yesterday.
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. The September 11 attacks, however, demonstrated that today’s terrorists intend to strike to the limits of their power.
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. 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. Quite simply, in democratic and successful societies, men and women turn their hearts and minds to building better lives for themselves and for their families through education and hard work. Democratic governments 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 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 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.
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