I will refuse to accept that Terrorism is only an Israeli or American problem. In the aftermath of 911 the world gave its condolences and support. Throughout the world countries lowered their flags' to half staf, held memorial services, people put on shows of support in the streets, pro american demonstrations, nations' leader's expressed their condolences and support, and even burned effigies of Bin Landen in India. The whole world mourned not America but the horror and desturction caused on 911.
Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a news conference and expresses deep sympathy to the American people, calling the incidents a "terrorist act, this terrible tragedy." Russian President Putin added, "the entire international community should unite in the struggle against terrorism . . . this is a blatant challenge to humanity."
United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan said "There can be no doubt that these attacks are deliberate acts of terrorism, carefully planned and coordinated and as such I condemn them utterly. Terrorism must be fought resolutely wherever it appears."
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said: "the German people stand by the United States of America at this difficult hour. I want to express to you my deep condolences and my unlimited solidarity to you and the American people. Our sympathy goes to the victims and their relatives." Schroeder said, "They were not only attacks on the people in the United States, our friends in America, but also against the entire civilized world, against our own freedom, against our own values, values which we share with the American people." Calling Tuesday's attacks a threat to peace and freedom everywhere, he said, "We will not let these values be destroyed in Europe, America or anywhere in the world."
Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chr�tien calls the attacks "a cowardly act of unspeakable violence . . . It is impossible to fully comprehend the evil that would have conjured up such a cowardly and depraved assault."
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak called the attacks in New York and Washington "horrific" and added in a televised statement: "Egypt firmly and strongly condemns such attacks on civilians and soldiers that led to the deaths of a large number of innocent victims."
North Korea caled the attacks "tragic", adding that it "is opposed to all forms of terrorism." The state department lists North Korea as a sponsor of terrorism.
The European Union said the attacks "were not only against the United States, but against humanity itself and the values of freedom we all share." Eu ministers also added "There will be no safe haven for terrorists and their sponsors, the Union will work closely with the United States and all partners to combat international terrorism."
To this day the support in the war against terrorism has severley diminished. Our allies, who should be side by side with us, criticise and oppose many of or efforts to fight terrorism.
If the countries which pleged their support and commitment to combating terrorism are not willling to put forth any kind of a serious attempt to do so than it shows how much their sympathy for the victims of 911 really meant. The countries need to be reminded of the seriousness of the world in which we live. America needs to clearly recognize who is with us and who is against us. If they are not with us than they are against us.
It also tells us as a nation that when it comes to our security the only people we can depend on is ourselves.
As I remember the morning I woke on September 11th I can vividly recall the unity which was expressed throught our nation and the world. Now that I look back it seems as if it were a bad dream or an event that happend a hundred years ago.
Many nations, Pakistan, United Kingdom, and Israel to name a few, have not forgotten. I pity those nations that have given up so easily.
Terrorism has already been identified as a global problem and threat to humanity that needs to be fought and destroyed wherever it is.
My question to you is what happened to the international solidarity and support?
I wonder then, which is false, their words of solidarity and support or the countries themselves?
President Bush and Prime Minister Blair must bring back the alliance. However difficult it may be we can fight the war ourselves but we should not have to. It is an international problem with no boundries. We need to create a coalition against terrorism and we can not back down. Who wants to relive another September 11th to remind us why we must fight this war?
