By Jeffrey Lunstead
Three years ago, the world witnessed an unprecedented attack on the civilized world. The
attacks of September 11 shocked men and women throughout the world and ended the lives
of citizens from over 90 countries. The memory of these events fuels America's continuing
efforts to defend Americans and our allies by stripping terrorist organisations 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,
September 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 - 1,776feet tall,
symbolic of the year of America's independence - we honour 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.
Relentless action
Americans are well aware that terrorism was not invented on September 11. Terrorism is a
global problem, and far too many countries around the world have endured tragic attacks in
the past. Sri Lankans have suffered as much as any people from the horrors of such acts.
The September 11 attacks, however, demonstrated that today's terrorists intend to strike to
the limits of their power. 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. However, 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 September 11, America is determined to face these new threats,
not ignore them or simply wait for future attacks. In the post-September 11 environment, the
U.S. is working with allies such as Sri Lanka to reconfigure national and international security
arrangements in order to prevail over terrorists as well as the states and organisations
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.
Sole mission
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 with you 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.
(The writer is the US ambassador to Sri Lanka)
