The United Nations today commemorated the 10th Anniversary of the 9/11 Attacks.
U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Susan E. Rice said a decade has passed since a bright and clear September morning became another day that will live in infamy. The Al-Qaeda’s attacks killed 3,000 people in New York, at the Pentagon, and in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
“Today and on Sunday, above all, we remember the victims and their families. We remember the innocent men and women callously killed for doing nothing more than going to work in the morning. We remember the unimaginable courage of the heroes of Flight 93; the grieving husbands and wives, daughters and sons, friends, co-workers and neighbors; and all those who had loved ones stolen by killers who knew nothing about those they slew.” -Ms. Rice
Ms. Rice said the killers targeted ordinary Americans of every creed, faith, and color, but they also targeted men, women, and children of 90 countries from every corner of the Earth we share-from Egypt to El Salvador, from India to Indonesia.
She stressed that people around the world joined together in shock and sorrow. The General Assembly and the United Nations Security Council also moved swiftly and surely to condemn the attacks. And the United States banded together with friends and allies to make all of our nations safer and more secure.
“The war against al-Qaeda was not one we sought or started. The cost has been heavy. But a decade later, we have made great strides in our shared defense-thanks to the bravery of soldiers, diplomats and intelligence professionals from the United States and many, many partners around the world.” -Ms. Rice
Ms. Rice emphasized that the United States will continue to work with all member states and partners around the world to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al-Qaeda, and to do whatever it takes to prevent another attack on our shores or in countries anywhere in the world.
“We must all remain vigilant. But we must also remain confident in our shared ability to overcome such a hateful ideology. For most of us, this is a time to interrupt our daily routines and remember a day of enormous loss. But for the loved ones of those murdered on 9/11, every day is a day of sorrow.” -Ms. Rice
She explained that nothing will give true comfort to the families and loved ones of the victims of 9/11 and terrorist attacks around the world. She added that for each soul is incalculably precious; no soul can be replaced.
“9/11 belongs to those who were slain-and to those left behind. And so, as with all who believe in human decency and human dignity, let us pause and bow our heads-one human family, united in loss and love.” -Ms. Rice