|
9/11/03
Remarks
Ambassador
Robert Loftis
Khotso, bo m’e le bo ntate:
- We
are gathered here to remember those who died in the terrorist attacks
in New York, Washington, and in Pennsylvania two years ago.
And we remember the others who have lost their lives in
terrorist attacks from Morocco to Indonesia since September 11, 2001.
- Even
after two years, it is impossible to fathom what motive could have
possibly justified these actions, to understand what cause they
thought they were advancing, or to imagine that their God, or any God,
would condone these acts done in His name.
- It
would be easy to fall prey to hatred because of what happened on that
awful day. We can be
angry, yes, but hatred is the one thing that we must not yield to.
- If
we are to defeat the terrorists, and defeat them we will, we must do
two things.
- First,
we must deny these evil men the ability to take more innocent lives,
by using the full force of the law to track them down and bring them
to justice. We must
combine efforts internationally to deny them shelter, money, arms and
training facilities to prevent attacks before they occur and to
disrupt their terrorist networks.
- Second,
we cannot sacrifice our principles and our way of life out of fear.
- Indeed,
if you look around the world today, you will see that we have been
able to return to normal lives. Yes,
we have expended a tremendous amount of time, energy and money in
strengthening our security. And
we will continue to do so. But
in so many ways, our lives are much the same as they were before
September 11. And that is
our strength.
- As
we remember those who died on September 11, those in the aircraft and
in the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, and those who sacrificed
themselves trying to save others, let us honor their memories by
treating each other with a little more kindness and courtesy, and make
the world around us a better place.
- And
to remember that sadness also comes from everyday life, please include
Her Majesty, the late Queen Mother, in your thoughts and prayers as
well.
- Please
join me in a moment of silence.
- Kea
leboha. Khotso, pula,
nala.
-back to
top ^
|
