September 11, 2002

"A year goes by quickly. For most of us, the tragedy of September 11, 2001 now seems far away. Certainly life has moved forward, and many of the scars inflicted that day have healed. But the sound of a siren, or the sight of the World Trade Center in an old movie, or even a glimpse of the Pentagon, can suddenly bring memories back. No doubt the news reports we will see today will recall for most of us the sense of shock and numbing pain that enveloped the world but a year ago.

I grew up in an America of splendid isolation -- a place where terrorism happened only overseas, not on our shores. Those days of innocence now seem long over. In one way, the attacks of September 11 were defiant acts of war against the United States, and against U.S. policies. In that sense, the attacks constituted a test of our national character, and of our determination. The United States has shown its resolve by leading the fight against terrorism that continues today. In the process, we have emerged a stronger nation.

Of course, the September 11 attacks also were aimed at the principles of freedom, open society, and democratic rights that America has come to symbolize. These principles are equally important to Romania, and indeed to much of modern civilization, whether East or West. Around the globe, all of our countries have come to realize that freedom and security are two sides of the same coin. For freedom to exist, our borders must be made secure, but cannot be closed. Our global trading system is critical to our shared economic well-being, but it cannot be allowed to fund inadvertently the terrorist activities that, in fact, threaten world commerce. And none of us can afford to forget that there are other sources of terrorism than al-Qaida, even after the peace in Afghanistan eventually is secured.

On this day, we remember with sadness those who lost their lives senselessly in these cowardly attacks, and those heroes who gave their lives to save others. Their memory, like that of the World Trade Center, will forever be etched in history. These lost lives helped galvanize a new international solidarity against terrorism, as an array of nations and of organizations as diverse as NATO, the United Nations, the Organization of American States and the Organization of the Islamic Conference joined in condemning terrorist aggression. Romania can be particularly proud of the role it has played, its soldiers serving shoulder-to-shoulder with America's finest in the war against terrorism in Afghanistan.

For this international solidarity, and for Romania's steadfast partnership, my country is profoundly grateful. I offer you our most sincere appreciation, as we look back together, in renewed solidarity, upon a sad and solemn day of loss."