UNITED States Secretary of State Colin Powell, speaking at the Organisation of American States (OAS) in Washington yesterday, thanked the countries of the Americas for the outpouring of solidarity in the wake of the grave September 11 terrorist attacks on U.S. territory, joining the hemispheric initiative to combat the scourge of terrorism.

"We have endured an enormous tragedy, but we will overcome," declared Powell to his hemispheric counterparts, gathered at OAS Headquarters for the Twenty Third Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs-with Costa Rica's Foreign Minister Roberto Rojas presiding to discuss a hemispheric response to the tragedy.

“We will defend the rule of law against the lawless. We will not allow murders to destroy our democracies and devastate our economies. We will never let our future be hijacked by terrorists," an OAS release quoted Powell.

Citing the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance (Rio Treaty), Powell noted that "the path-breaking resolutions already passed by the OAS Permanent Council, and those being considered today (yesterday)," call on member states to use all necessary and available means to pursue, capture and punish those responsible for the recent attacks and to prevent further attacks from occurring.

Powell also called on governments, law enforcement authorities and civic institutions to work together even more closely, and at every level, to share "life-saving information," coordinating activities.

"Now, individually and collectively, we must take concrete steps to tighten border controls, enhance air and seaport security, improve financial controls, and increase the effectiveness of our counter-terrorism forces," he stated.

He also called for the OAS' Inter-American Committee against terrorism to be strengthened. It was established two years ago with a mandate to prevent, combat and eliminate terrorism. "We have this tool. We need it. We must use it," said Powell.

OAS Secretary General Cesar Gaviria opened the meeting, describing the terrorist attacks as "the greatest challenge to our civilisation, to our values, and to human rights and public freedoms as well as to the principles of tolerance and pluralism which we all respect."

Gaviria said the governments of the Americas would do everything necessary to help bring the perpetrators, organizers and sponsors to justice, and to punish them to the full extent of the law.

He also called for unified, effective and unrelenting action to combat terrorism. He warned: "If we do not punish terrorism, it will take over our lives in every corner of the universe."

The OAS, in a special session earlier this week, expressed solidarity with the U.S and called a meeting of all Foreign Ministers of the regional grouping in Washington D.C yesterday.

Guyana's Ambassador to Washington, Dr. Odeen Ishmael represented Guyana on behalf of Foreign Minister, Dr. Rudy Insanally.