As published in Phileleftheros newspaper (September 11,2004 p.10)

The Legacy of 9/11/01:

Defeating Terror through the Growth of Democracy

By Ambassador Michael Klosson

Three years ago today, we all witnessed an unprecedented assault on the civilized world.  The attacks of 9/11 ended the lives of citizens from over 90 countries, including Cyprus, and left us all in horror at the wanton disregard for human life.  Memory of these events fuels America’s continuing efforts to defend its citizens, and our friends and allies, by stripping terrorist organizations of their ability to operate and to attract new recruits.

The images of that day remain etched in the minds of all who saw them.  To many Americans, 9/11 still seems like yesterday.  On that day, al-Qaida’s hijack crews stole the future from nearly 3,000 innocent people and devastated the lives of their families and friends.  They murdered infants cradled in their mothers’ arms and grandparents flying to visit their loved ones.  And now as plans move forward in New York City to build a memorial for the victims at Ground Zero, as well as a new office tower – 1776-feet tall, symbolic of the year of America’s independence – we honor the souls lost that day in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania.  We pray for the families and loved ones still struggling with their loss and left with only memories. 

Americans are well aware that terrorism was not invented on September 11.  Far too many countries around the world have endured tragic attacks for decades and even centuries.  The September 11 attacks, however, demonstrated that today’s terrorists will stop at nothing.  During the past three years, al-Qaida’s capabilities have been reduced by relentless international action on the law enforcement, military, intelligence, diplomatic and financial fronts. Al-Qaida’s desire to kill on a massive scale, however, remains unchanged.  And this danger is increased when outlaw regimes build or acquire weapons of mass destruction and maintain ties to terrorist groups.

Tempered by the tragedy of 9/11, America is determined to face these new threats.  In the post-9/11 environment, we are working with with friends and allies to reconfigure national and international security arrangements in order to prevail over terrorists as well as the states and organizations supporting them.   I am very pleased that Cyprus is an active partner in this common effort to combat international terrorism through solid bilateral cooperation, support for the Proliferation Security Initiative and actions to prevent potential terrorist financing.

Our objective is a lasting, democratic peace in which nations can develop and prosper, free from the threat of terror.  We are helping to build a hopeful future for people who have suffered for far too long.  None of us can afford to allow troubled regions to remain mired in despair and violence. 

Al-Qaida and its affiliates, by contrast, offer no constructive vision for the world.  Their sole design has been to destroy what others have built.  Our common international efforts to defeat the terrorists, therefore, serve to provide the global security upon which free, peaceful nations can pursue their social, cultural and economic development goals.

The United States and its missions worldwide are working daily to secure the foundation for peace by supporting the growth of democracy.  We support the hope and progress that democracy offers as the alternative to tyranny and terror.  In democratic and successful societies, men and women do not adopt mass murder as a national policy; they focus their hearts and minds on building better lives for themselves and for their families through education and hard work.  Democratic governments do not shelter terrorist camps or kill innocent men, women, and children.  Rather, they raise their citizens up, expending their energies and resources on fostering the rule of law and seeking expanded opportunities for trade and other exchanges.

Americans pause with people everywhere to remember the fallen from over 90 countries worldwide -- including Michael Tarou, a Cypriot -- who died on September 11, 2001.  We remember also their friends and relatives whose lives were changed forever.  We replay in our minds the images of that horrific day, but we also embrace new images of hope.  We remember the worldwide outpouring of sorrow and solidarity – in town plazas and at U.S. embassies – that gave impetus to the international campaign against terrorism launched in the wake of the attacks.  We will continue to work with the international community to bring closer the day when terrorists’ messages fall flat, when their wallets are empty, and when their recruits turn away to take advantage of opportunities made possible by those who would build, not destroy.