Embassy Press Releases

Statement by Ambassador Nicholas F. Taubman on the Fifth Anniversary of 9/11

WHO IS NEXT? 9/11 FIVE YEARS LATER
Statement by Ambassador Nicholas F. Taubman on the Fifth Anniversary of 9/11

"September 11, 2001. American Airlines flight 11. United Airlines flight 175. American Airlines flight 77. United Airlines flight 93. The North Tower 8:46 a.m. (2:46 p.m. in Romania). The South tower 9:03 a.m. The Pentagon 9:38 a.m. Numbers and times that are a permanent part of American history.

Five years ago, nineteen terrorists killed more than three thousand innocent people from more than ninety countries. Nineteen men driven by hatred crashed airplanes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. A fourth airplane bound for Washington, D.C. never reached its target thanks to the heroic efforts of the passengers.

For a generation of Americans, the images of the World Trade Center towers burning and collapsing had the same impact as the attack on Pearl Harbor did on their parents and grandparents. It was shocking, and it would never be forgotten.

The medieval fanaticism of men in a failed state 11,000 kilometers from New York prompted the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Some more dates and numbers to remember. October 12, 2002. More than four hundred people killed and injured in the Bali bombing. March 11, 2004. More than two hundred people killed and wounded in the Madrid train bombings. July 7, 2005. More than 800 people killed and injured in the London bombings. July 23, 2005. Almost 90 people killed in an attack on the Egyptian resort of Sharm al-Sheikh. And August 10, 2006. A plot to blow up at least 10 airplanes bound for the U.S. from Heathrow was thwarted.

Who is next?

The immediate response of the U.S. and its democratic allies after 9/11 was to remove the murderous Taliban regime in Afghanistan and end its collaboration with al-Qaeda. But the long-term response to terrorism will not be by arms alone, and it cannot be done by the U.S. alone.

Terrorism is an international scourge, and effective resistance to it must be multilateral. Terrorism is fed by lack of freedom and hope. It is generated in societies that cannot protect, feed or educate their people. It breeds among men who face the past and fear the future, fear equal rights for women, fear the rule of law, and fear anyone who questions their tyranny in the name of Islam. They cannot see that terrorism is an abomination to the vast majority of Muslims.

The struggle against terrorism will be a long one, fought on many fronts and in many places. We must stay the course despite temporary set backs and consistent naysayers. To the extent that democratic nations join together to support freedom in Iraq, Afghanistan and everywhere in the world where freedom does not exist, terrorism will decline. And democracy will triumph, bringing its hope and light to every corner of the world.

Romania is a valued partner of the U.S. in this effort. Today, more than 1500 Romanian soldiers stand side by side with Americans and other coalition and NATO forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, bravely fighting terrorism and building democracy in those two critical countries. Four Romanian soldiers have paid the ultimate price in Afghanistan and Iraq. We Americans understand the importance of their sacrifice, just as Romanians have reminded us of the importance of standing strong against dictatorship.

President Bush said: "As witness to some of the great crimes of the last century, our new [NATO] members bring moral clarity to the purposes of the Alliance. They understand our cause in Afghanistan and in Iraq, because tyranny for them is still a fresh memory. These nations know that when great democracies fail to confront danger, far worse peril can follow. They know that aggression, left unchecked, can rob millions of their liberty and their lives."

Five years ago, the war against terrorism began. The U.S., Romania and the community of democracies will continue to oppose terrorism as long as it takes. Our freedom is at stake, and no one will ever take that away".

back to top ^

CINE URMEAZA? 11 SEPTEMBRIE - CINCI ANI MAI TARZIU
Declaratia Ambasadorului Nicholas F. Taubman cu ocazia comemorarii a 5 ani de la atacurile din 11 septembrie 2001

"11 septembrie 2001. Avionul American Airlines nr. 11. Avionul United Airlines nr. 175. Avionul American Airlines nr. 77. Avionul United Airlines nr. 93. Turnul Nordic 8:46 (14:46 in Romania). Turnul Sudic 9:03. Pentagon 9:38. Acestea sunt numere si ore care vor face parte din istoria Americii pentru totdeauna.

In urma cu cinci ani, 19 teroristi au ucis peste 3.000 de oameni nevinovati din peste 90 de tari. 19 oameni dominati de ura au intrat cu avioanele in World Trade Center si in Pentagon. Un al patrulea avion care se indrepta spre Washington, D.C. nu si-a atins tinta datorita eforturilor eroice ale pasagerilor.

Pentru o intreaga generatie de americani, imaginile cu turnurile World Trade Center in flacari, prabusindu-se au avut acelasi impact pe care l-a avut atacul de la Pearl Harbor asupra parintilor si bunicilor lor. A fost socant si nu vom uita niciodata.

Fanatismul medieval al unor oameni dintr-un stat in deriva, aflat la 11.000 km distanta de New York, a fost cauza atacurilor teroriste din 11 septembrie 2001.

Iata alte cateva date si numere de care trebuie sa ne aducem aminte. 11 octombrie 2002. Peste 400 de oameni ucisi si raniti in atacurile din Bali. 11 martie 2004. Peste 200 de oameni ucisi si raniti in atacurile asupra trenurilor din Madrid. 7 iulie 2005. Peste 800 de oameni ucisi si raniti in atacurile de la Londra. 23 iulie 2005. Aproape 90 de oameni ucisi intr-un atac in statiunea egipteana Sharm el-Sheikh. Si 10 august 2006. A fost dejucat un complot care urmarea sa arunce in aer cel putin 10 avioane care se indreptau catre Statele Unite de pe aeroportul Heathrow.

Cine urmeaza?

Reactia imediata a Statelor Unite si a aliatilor sai democratici dupa 11 septembrie a fost de a inlatura regimul criminal taliban din Afganistan si de a pune capat colaborarii lui cu Al-Qaeda. Dar reactia pe termen lung nu se face numai prin intermediul armelor si nu poate apartine numai Statelor Unite.

Terorismul este un flagel international, iar rezistenta eficienta in fata acestuia trebuie sa fie de natura multilaterala. Terorismul este alimentat prin lipsa de libertate si speranta. Terorismul se formeaza in societati care nu-si pot proteja, hrani sau educa cetatenii. Terorismul se raspandeste in randul oamenilor care se confrunta cu trecutul si care se tem de viitor, de drepturi egale pentru femei, de statul de drept si de oricine le pune la indoiala tirania in numele islamului. Acestia nu pot vedea faptul ca, pentru majoritatea musulmanilor, terorismul este o atrocitate.

Lupta impotriva terorismului va fi una lunga, dusa pe mai multe fronturi si in mai multe locuri. Trebuie sa continuam aceasta lupta, in ciuda obstacolelor temporare si a negativistilor constanti. In masura in care natiunile democratice sprijina impreuna libertatea in Irak, Afganistan si peste tot in lume unde nu exista libertate, terorismul va scadea, iar democratia va triumfa, aducand speranta si lumina in toate colturile lumii.

Romania este un partener respectat al Statelor Unite in acest efort. Astazi, peste 1.500 de soldati romani isi indeplinesc misiunea alaturi de americani si de alti membri ai coalitiei, precum si de fortele NATO in Irak si Afganistan, luptand cu mult curaj impotriva terorismului si construind democratia in aceste state extrem de importante. Patru soldati romani au platit pretul ultim in Afganistan si Irak. Noi, americanii, intelegem importanta sacrificiului lor, asa cum si romanii ne amintesc de importanta de a lupta impreuna impotriva dictaturii.

Presedintele Bush a declarat: "In calitate de martori ai unora dintre cele mai mari crime ale ultimului secol, noii membri [NATO] aduc claritate morala scopului Aliantei. Acestia inteleg cauza noastra in Afganistan si Irak, deoarece, pentru ei, amintirea tiraniei este inca vie. Aceste natiuni stiu ca, atunci cand marile democratii nu reusesc sa fata pericolului, pot urma pericole si mai mari. Ele stiu ca agresiunea necontrolata poate priva milioane de oameni de viata si de libertate".

In urma cu cinci ani a inceput lupta impotriva terorismului. Statele Unite, Romania si comunitatea statelor democratice vor continua sa se opuna terorismului oricat de mult timp va fi nevoie. Miza este libertatea noastra si nimeni nu ne va priva de ea."

back to top ^