Author: Kofi A. Annan
Publication: The New York Times
Date: September 21, 2001
The terrorists who attacked the
United States on Sept. 11 aimed at one nation but wounded an entire world.
Rarely, if ever, has the world been as united as it was on that terrible
day. It was a unity born of horror, of fear, of outrage and of profound
sympathy with the American people. This unity also reflected the fact that
the World Trade Center, in this uniquely international city, was home to
men and women of every faith from some 60 nations. This was an attack on
all humanity, and all humanity has a stake in defeating the forces behind
it.
As the United States decides what
actions it will take in defense of its citizens, and as the world comes
to terms with the full implications of this calamity, the unity of Sept.
11 will be invoked, and it will be tested. I have expressed to President
Bush and Mayor Rudolph Giuliani - and to New Yorkers at services in churches,
synagogues and mosques - the complete solidarity of the United Nations
with Americans in their grief. In less than 48 hours, the Security Council
and the General Assembly joined me in condemning the attacks and voted
to support actions taken against those responsible and states that aid
them. Of this solidarity, let no one be in doubt.
Nor should anyone question the worldwide
resolve to fight terrorism as long as is needed. The most eloquent global
answer so far to last week's attacks has been the commitment of states
from every faith and region to act firmly against terrorism.
The international community is defined
not only by what it is for, but by what and whom it is against. The United
Nations must have the courage to recognize that just as there are common
aims, there are common enemies. To defeat them, all nations must join forces
in an effort encompassing every aspect of the open, free global system
so wickedly exploited by the perpetrators of last week's atrocities.
The United Nations is uniquely positioned
to advance this effort. It provides the forum necessary for building a
universal coalition and can ensure global legitimacy for the long-term
response to terrorism. United Nations conventions already provide a legal
framework for many of the steps that must be taken to eradicate terrorism
- including the extradition and prosecution of offenders and the suppression
of money laundering. These conventions must be implemented in full.
Essential to the global response
to terrorism is that it not fracture the unity of Sept. 11. While the world
must recognize that there are enemies common to all societies, it must
equally understand that they are not, are never, defined by religion or
national descent. No people, no region and no religion should be targeted
because of the unspeakable acts of individuals. As Mayor Giuliani said,
"That is exactly what we are fighting here." To allow divisions between
and within societies to be exacerbated by these acts would be to do the
terrorists' work for them.
Terrorism threatens every society.
As the world takes action against it, we have all been reminded of the
need to address the conditions that permit the growth of such hatred and
depravity. We must confront violence, bigotry and hatred even more resolutely.
The United Nations' work must continue as we address the ills of conflict,
ignorance, poverty and disease.
Doing so will not remove every source
of hatred or prevent every act of violence. There are those who will hate
and who will kill even if every injustice is ended. But if the world can
show that it will carry on, that it will persevere in creating a stronger,
more just, more benevolent and more genuine international community across
all lines of religion and race, then terrorism will have failed.
(Kofi A. Annan is secretary-general
of the United Nations.)
