16 October 2001
Text: African Ambassadors Condemn Terrorist Attacks on U.S.
(African Diplomatic Corps dean Olhaye speaks for group) (1260)
The dean of the African Diplomatic Corps, Ambassador Roble Olhaye,
expressed the sympathies and support of African diplomats to the U.S.
government and to the victims and families of the September 11
terrorist attacks on the United States in an October 12 ceremony at
the State Department in Washington.
"We, the African ambassadors here, join our leaders in their unanimous
and total condemnation of the reprehensible acts of mass murder which
took place on September 11, 2001, against innocent people of all
nationalities, faiths, and walks of life," Olhaye told Secretary of
State Colin Powell.
The twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York were destroyed
and the headquarters of the U.S. Defense Department outside Washington
-- known as the Pentagon -- were heavily damaged in the attacks when
hijacked commercial airliners were crashed into those buildings,
resulting in the deaths of more than 5,000 people. As part of those
attacks, another hijacked commercial jetliner also crashed in
Pennsylvania, short of reaching its intended target of Washington,
killing all onboard.
Flanked by his fellow African ambassadors, Olhaye, Djibouti's envoy to
the United States, told Powell that the attacks were not just a
tragedy for the United States but for the world in general, reminding
everyone that citizens from more than 80 nations perished in the
devastation.
"We are all touched by this unprecedented catastrophe," he said, as he
condemned international terrorism.
"Indeed, we are awakened to the menace of international terrorism: a
deadly phenomenon that transcends national borders and affects each
and every one of us," he said.
Echoing long-standing remarks by President Bush and other American
leaders, Olhaye said: "The perpetrators of this brutal attack cannot
hide under the banner of Islam -- a religion of peace and total
submission to the will of Allah. These criminals preach murder instead
of peace, hatred and not tolerance."
Olhaye also went on to quote U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan,
saying: "'This attack was a blow not against one city or one country,
but against all of us --- an attack on our shared values. It struck at
everything that the United Nations stands for: peace, freedom,
tolerance, human rights, and the very idea of a united human family.'"
Additionally, Olhaye said the African Diplomatic Corps welcomes the
timely passage of Security Council Resolution 1373, which demands that
all countries deny safe haven to terrorists, sever financial,
political, and military ties with terrorist organizations, and freeze
their assets everywhere. "Our governments are now in the midst of
implementing this decision," he said.
Olhaye reminded his audience that Africa has experienced terrorism in
varying degrees, times, and places over the years, including the
carnage and devastation that followed the coordinated attacks on U. S.
embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam in 1998, and thus stands as a
partner in the worldwide effort to eliminate terrorism as a threat to
all nations.
Following is the text of Ambassador Olhaye's statement, as prepared
for delivery:
(begin text)
STATEMENT OF
SYMPATHY AND SUPPORT
TO THE FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS,
AND TO THE GOVERNMENT AWD PEOPLE
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
BY THE
AFRICAN AMBASSADORS ACCREDITED
TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
In the aftermath of the attack on America, our Heads of State and
Governments have issued statements expressing Africa's profound
horror, shock, and grief, while equally condemning in the strongest
terms possible the heinous, senseless and dastardly attacks that
ruined and shattered the lives of thousands of families, mostly
Americans.
We, the African Ambassadors here, join our leaders in their unanimous
and total condemnation of the reprehensible acts of mass murder which
took place on September 11, 2001, against innocent people of all
nationalities, faiths and walks of life.
The attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon have not simply
been a tragedy for the United States; as we all know, citizens of more
than 80 nations have perished in the devastation. We are all touched
by this unprecedented catastrophe. Indeed, we are awakened to the
menace of international terrorism: a deadly phenomenon that transcends
national borders and affects each and every one of us.=
In Africa, we have experienced terrorism in varying degrees, times and
places over the years, including the carnage and devastation that
followed the coordinated attacks on U.S. Embassies in Nairobi and
Dar-es-Salaam in 1998.
We are deeply moved by the sheer heroism, selflessness and tireless
efforts of so many, desperately seeking to save thousands caught in
the maelstrom. We have observed with great admiration the response of
the Government and people of the U.S. to this calamity -- united and
determined in their resolve to recover from this horrendous tragedy.
We welcome the emerging global coalition, where the international
community commits itself to waging an uncompromising struggle to
prevent and suppress the scourge of terrorism.
We fully concur with the views expressed by Mr. Kofi Annan, the U.N.
Secretary General, that: "This attack was a blow not against one city
or one country, but against all of us -- an attack on our shared
values. It struck at everything that the United Nations stands for:
peace, freedom, tolerance, human rights, and the very idea of a united
human family."
We also welcome the timely Security Council Resolution 1373 of
September 28, 2001, demanding that all countries deny safe haven to
terrorists, and to sever financial, political and military ties with
terrorist organizations, and to freeze their assets everywhere. Our
Governments are now in the midst of implementing this decision.
As eloquently and unambiguously expressed repeatedly by President Bush
and other American leaders, the perpetrators of this brutal attack
cannot hide under the banner of Islam, a religion of peace and total
submission to the will of Allah. These criminals preach murder instead
of peace, hatred and not tolerance.
Obviously, terrorism has now assumed an extraordinary level of daring,
sophistication and resourcefulness. We in Africa are particularly
vulnerable. Our effective participation and partnership in the global
coalition against terrorism calls for resources and technical
assistance to help upgrade our capacities, in order to enhance our
ability to monitor and counter terrorism. It is also important that in
the struggle against terrorism African leaders are consulted and kept
in the know as full partners in the global coalition.
In our view, the urgent task facing the international community at
present is to adhere to existing anti-terrorism treaties, as well as
to accelerate work on the pending convention against the prevention
and elimination of international terrorism. It is noteworthy to know
that there are African initiatives to combat terrorism.
We are relieved that international efforts are under way to mitigate
the looming humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, as well as to ensure
the safety and well-being of the Afghani people.
The events of September 11 fill us with unspeakable sadness. America
is savagely wronged; it deserves the wholehearted support of all
peace-loving nations, as we continue to comfort the bereaved, and shun
the logic of hatred between peoples and faiths around the world.
Finally, we the African Ambassadors, on behalf of our nations, hereby
renew our commitment to work in partnership with the United States
Government and its law enforcement agencies in the fight against
terrorism on the African continent and elsewhere.
May God grant us strength and patience.
MAY PEACE PREVAIL!
October 12, 2001
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov/)
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