He was speaking at a ceremony at the U.S. Embassy here to honour the some 3,000 victims, including 26 Guyanese, of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the U.S.

Apart from remarks by representatives of Guyana's three major religions, Ambassador Godard was the lone speaker at the commemoration ceremony, at which the names and brief details of the Guyanese who lost their lives were displayed.

President Bharrat Jagdeo, Prime Minister Sam Hinds, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Rudy Insanally, Speaker of the National Assembly Mr. Ralph Ramkarran, Chancellor of the Judiciary Ms. Desiree Bernard, and members of the Diplomatic Corps were among those at the ceremony.

"In memory of the victims, including the 26 citizens from Guyana, who tragically perished in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States", are the words inscribed on a plaque bearing the American and Guyanese flags, which would be placed on a wall in the Consular Section of the embassy.

The American Ambassador said the Consular Section was a fitting place to put up the plaque as the Guyanese who perished most likely passed through this section in their migration to make the United States their home.

"Guyana proportionate to its population suffered, if not the greatest loss, certainly one of the greatest losses in lives of any other country in the world", he said.

Godard said the fear and uncertainty felt a year ago is still felt and the earth as it was, was shaken "to the very core by homicidal acts by fanatics carrying terrorism to unimaginable extremes".

"The world is not the same and it will never be as it was before", the Ambassador noted.

He said the threat of terror still hangs and joint action by the civilised world is needed to counter any attacks in the future.

The envoy stated that Guyana was one of the first countries to come forward and pledge its support against terrorism.

"I received a call of solidarity from President Jagdeo shortly after the attacks that morning. Since then, Guyana has, consistent with its capabilities, fully cooperated in the campaign against terrorism", he stated.

On a personal level, he said, the people of Guyana could not have been more supportive, citing numerous commemorative activities by religious bodies and personal expressions of grief lodged at the embassy.

"In this diplomatic mission, we will always remember with gratitude and humility the warm compassion and sympathy of the Guyanese people. Guyana made it clear that America is not alone", Godard remarked.

America believes that Islamic militant Osama bin Laden masterminded the September 11 attacks which saw commercial airliners crashing into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Washington, and an area in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Shaik Moeenul Hack, representing the Muslim community said the attacks were horrifying and against all Islamic and human law.

He said Islam condemns all activities that are an aggression on human life, freedom and dignity, and that taking of innocent lives in any part of the world makes no sense at all.

Hack stated that attacks like those of September 11 are senseless and earn nothing but the wrath of Allah.

Pandit Jagmohan Persaud, representing the Hindu community, condemned the attacks, saying these were done in hostility and hate and against all forms of rationality.

Bishop Juan Edghill of the Guyana Council of Churches said "lives were lost, families were torn apart, wounds were deep and property was destroyed".

"We cried, we mourned, we stood still, but we have to move forward, so we have to forgive", he said.

Meantime, New York Mayor Mr. Michael Bloomberg has expressed appreciation to the Government of Guyana for being among the governments of the world that "expressed outrage at this despicable act, supported the global campaign against terrorism and contributed to New York's recovery".

"I want to convey the grateful appreciation of the people of New York for your assistance and your expressions of support", Bloomberg said in a message to President Jagdeo.

Patrick Adams, Rudy Bacchus, Pamela Boyce, Annette Dataram, Sabita Guman, Nizam Hafiz, Ricknauth Jaggernauth, Charles Gregory John, Sarah Khan, Amarnauth Latchman, Shevonne Mentis, Marcus Neblett, Hardai Parbhu, Vishnu Ramsaroop, Amenia Rasool, Sita Sewnarine, Shiv Shankar, Kamini Singh, Ronald Singh, Astrid Sohan, Joyce Stanton, Patricia Stanton and Vanvah Thompson are among the Guyanese confirmed dead due to the attacks.

Victims of September 11 were from 91 nations.