REMARKS BY AMBASSADOR ODEEN ISHMAEL OF GUYANA AT THE MEETING OF THE PERMANENT COUNCIL OF THE OAS CONDEMNING THE RECENT TERRORIST ACTS AGAINST THE UNITED STATES -- 19 SEPTEMBER 2001
Posted September 19th. 2001
Mr.
Chairman,
Mr. Secretary General, Mr. Assistant Secretary General, Ambassadors, Members
of delegations,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Mr.
Chairman,
The Guyana delegation welcomes the resolution condemning the terrorist attacks
carried out against the United States of America - a resolution which we will
adopt today in the Permanent Council. I take this opportunity, on behalf of
the Government and people of Guyana, to most vehemently condemn the almost
unimaginable tragedy that occurred on September 11 - a disastrous series of
cruel and barbaric acts in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania that has
resulted in the loss of thousands of innocent lives. My Government shares
the pain of the American people, and salutes the courage of the firemen, police
officers, doctors, nurses, and all others who gave their lives in a display
of valor and courage that will be remembered forever.
This tragedy that has befallen the United States of America has taken on international proportions, and we share a collective pain with the American people. Like us, other nations represented in this organization are also counting their dead. So far, we know that twenty-two Guyanese nationals who worked at the World Trade Center are missing and presumed to be dead. Another young Guyanese national, who had begun a career as a naval officer, died at the Pentagon attack.
Mr.
Chairman,
The terrorist acts of September 11 must strengthen the resolve of the nations
of this hemisphere and of the international community to condemn in the strongest
possible way, all forms of terrorism which are a threat to international peace
and security. We must all reaffirm that those responsible must be brought
to justice and we stand in full solidarity with the Government and people
of the United States at this their darkest hour.
We must also understand that those who carried out these foul acts of terrorism are not representative of the noble religion of Islam, and we condemn those who with prejudice have carried out hate crimes in various communities against Muslims and people of Arab descent and others who have been profiled as such.
On behalf of my Government, I offer sincere condolences to the Government and the people of the United States of America for the massive loss of life and the grievous injuries suffered by thousands, as a result of these despicable acts of September 11. In particular, I offer our sympathies to those families who lost loved ones in the terrible tragedies. May the memory of those who died live forever.
I thank you.