GUYANA'S Ambassador to Washington, Dr. Odeen Ishmael says the tragedy that has befallen the United States has taken on international proportions and this country shares a collective pain with the American people.

In remarks at the meeting of the Permanent Council of the Organisation of American States (OAS) in Washington on Wednesday, Ishmael said the Guyana delegation welcomed the OAS resolution adopted the same day condemning the terrorist attacks carried out against the U.S.

"I take this opportunity, on behalf of the Government and people of Guyana, to most vehemently condemn the almost unimaginable tragedy that occurred on September 11 - a disastrous series of cruel and barbaric acts in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania that has resulted in the loss of thousands of innocent lives.

"My Government shares the pain of the American people, and salutes the courage of the firemen, Police officers, doctors, nurses, and all others who gave their

lives in a display of valour and courage that will be remembered forever," Ishmael told the meeting.

"Like us, other nations represented in this organisation are also counting their dead. So far, we know that 22 Guyanese nationals who worked at the World Trade Center are missing and presumed to be dead. Another young Guyanese national, who had begun a career as a naval officer, died at the Pentagon attack," he said.

According to Ishmael, the terrorist acts of September 11 must strengthen the resolve of the nations of the hemisphere and of the international community to condemn in the strongest possible way, all forms of terrorism that are a threat to international peace and security.

"We must all reaffirm that those responsible must be brought to justice and we stand in full solidarity with the Government and people of the United States at this their darkest hour," he said.

Ishmael also said it must be understood that those who carried out the foul acts of terrorism "are not representative of the noble religion of Islam, and we condemn those who with prejudice have carried out hate crimes in various communities against Muslims and people of Arab descent and others who have been profiled as such."

"On behalf of my Government, I offer sincere condolences to the Government and the people of the United States of America for the massive loss of life and the grievous injuries suffered by thousands, as a result of these despicable acts of September 11. In particular, I offer our sympathies to those families who lost loved ones in the terrible tragedies. May the memory of those who died live forever," Ishmael said.