Godard says threat of terror remains
Plaque unveiled
Stabroek News
September 12, 2002
The threat of terror still hangs over the world, US Ambassador Ronald Godard said yesterday at a solemn ceremony to commemorate the 3,000 victims who died in the attacks on the United States one year ago.
"A year later, the fear and uncertainty we felt about the future is still fresh in our memories. The world as we knew it was shaken to the very core by homicidal acts by fanatics carrying terrorism to unimagined extremes. The world is not the same, and it will never be as it was before."
Godard said: "As we remember the events of the day, we are still overwhelmed at the horror that the lives of so many innocent people were snuffed out at a single stroke. It was an evil act that we would like to think was an aberration. But unfortunately, the threat of terror hangs over us still." He added that it is only joint action by the civilised world that can ensure that it does not happen again.
The ambassador was speaking on the lawns of the US Embassy which was under tight security with parts of Carifesta Avenue blocked off by the police.
President Bharrat Jagdeo, Prime Minister Sam Hinds, Chancellor Desiree Bernard and high commissioners and ambassadors from other countries were all present. There were also representatives from Guyana's three main religious groups who spoke during the ceremony.
As part of the commemoration Godard unveiled a plaque in honour of the victims, including 26 Guyanese, who were killed. The plaque will hang in the Consular Section of the Embassy.
"It is especially appropriate that it be there. For those who emigrate to America, the Consular Section of the US Embassy is the gateway to their new home. Many of those who died on September 11 very likely passed through the Consular Section, and it is fitting that we honour their memory at the site where they are most likely to have visited this embassy," the US ambassador said.
He noted that all have learnt that terrorism is not just a problem of the United States, but a threat to all nations. Citizens from more than 90 countries were killed on that day. In the Caribbean, there were 17 victims from Jamaica, three from Grenada, 11 from Trinidad & Tobago, two from Barbados and three from other Eastern Caribbean islands. He said Guyana, with 26 victims, may have had the highest proportionate total of any nation.
According to Godard, September 11 is one of those dates indelibly imprinted in one's memory: "For the rest of our lives, we will recall those feelings of shock and horror as we watched the vivid but somehow unreal images of American Airlines Flight 11 plunging into the north tower and United Airlines Flight 175 exploding into the south tower of the World Trade Center."
He added that September 11 was a sad day for all, but it was also a great day for demonstrating once more the strength of the human spirit in rising to the challenge of horrendous events. He made mention of the many heroic and compassionate acts at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on that day, which enriched this chapter of mankind's history. Because of united efforts more than 90 nations have arrested or detained more than 2,400 terrorists. Over 160 nations have frozen more than $100 million in assets associated with terrorist groups. And Afghanistan is no longer a haven for international terrorists.
Godard said while the threat of terrorism still hangs over the world, it is comforting to know that there is support from all in times of trial. He noted that Guyana was one of the first countries to come forward and pledge its support against terrorism. He made mention of the numerous commemorative services sponsored by all three of the major religious faiths in Guyana, adding that the embassy was deluged with personal expressions of grief and condolence.
The Muslim representative at the ceremony, Shaikh Moeenul Hack, said the horrifying events of September 11 were against Islamic and human law. He added that the taking of innocent lives serves no purpose and it is the work of the devil. According to him, Allah teaches that to attack innocent people is wrong, adding that life is sacred and Islam is a religion of tolerance, which has great respect for life. "Muslims are not terrorists and we condemn all acts of terrorism," he said. He urged people not to confuse Islam with the acts of some Muslims.
Bishop Juan Edghill, representing the Christian community, said there is need for forgiveness. He added that meekness is not weakness but rather it is strength under control. "Let us root out evil and expose and eradicate evil influences wherever they exist."
The Hindu faith was represented by Jagmohan Persaud, who said terrorism wherever it exists must be unequivocally condemned. He added that violence and terrorism did not solve the problems of the world and that dialogue was the proven mechanism for resolving disputes.