WILLIAM GRANT
September 11, 2001. American Airlines 11. United Airlines 175. American Airlines 77. United Airlines 93. North Tower 8:46am (2:46pm in Malta). South Tower 9:03am. The Pentagon 9:38am. Numbers and times that are a permanent part of American history.
This week, the United States marks the fifth anniversary of the tragic attacks that claimed the lives of more than 3,000 people from 90 countries.
These acts were more than an attack against the United States. The 9/11 terrorists, motivated by mediaeval fanaticism, were attacking basic principles and values that are at the foundation of all democratic countries.
Unfortunately, there are other dates to remember. To name a few: 12 October 2002 – More than 400 people killed and injured in the Bali bombing. 11 March 2004 – More than 2,000 people killed and wounded in the Madrid train bombings. 7July 2005 – More than 800 people killed and injured in the London bombings. 23 July 2005 – Almost 90 people killed in an attack on the Egyptian resort of Sharm al-Sheikh. 10 August 2006 – British authorities thwart a plot to blow up at least 10 airplanes bound for the US from Heathrow.
Terrorism is an international scourge. Effective resistance to it must be multilateral. On one level, this means making sure that terrorists are unable to use our airports, waterways or ports. It also requires strong international cooperation to choke off terrorists’ use of financial systems for illicit use.
Fighting terrorism also means supporting democratic development and protection of democratic rights around the world. 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 fear the future, fear equal rights for women, fear the rule of law, and fear anyone who questions their tyranny in the name of religious beliefs. They cannot see that terrorism is an abomination to the vast majority of humanity. 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.
The Maltese people reached out to America on 11 September 2001. Flowers covered the sidewalk in front of the American Embassy in Floriana. Countless prayers were offered. Since then, Malta has been an important voice promoting democracy and democratic rights around the world. President Bush and Prime Minister Gonzi spoke at length about the importance of supporting democratic development around the world during their meeting last October in the White House.
The lesson of the last five years is that the US, Malta and the community of democracies must continue to oppose terrorism as long as it takes. We must continue to work with moderate people of good will from all nations to fight against those who seek to impose fear and take away freedom.
William Grant is Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of the United States.