'We must defeat terrorism'

P.J. Patterson
Prime Minister

The horrible acts of terrorism, perpetrated on American soil, have plunged our entire world into an unprecedented period of peril, fear and uncertainty.

This is a time of mourning for all of us. The date September 11, 2001 will forever be indelibly etched in our minds and our hearts.

The Jamaican people join in grief with the American people, and, on behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica, I extend our profound condolences to those families that have lost loved ones, or those injured. We share in the pain and grief.

At my request, the Jamaican Consul General in New York and the Charge d'Affaires in Washington D.C. are discussing with community leaders and others, the development of a programme of assistance to affected families.

The global community must demonstrate a solid front in our struggle to defeat international terrorism. The masterminds and those found to be in collusion must be brought to justice. Jamaica intends to play an active role in the fight to rid the world once and for all, of the scourge of terrorism.

On behalf of all Jamaicans, I have conveyed to the President our deepest regrets.

I encourage Jamaican community organisations, businesses and individuals to assist in whatever way they can, and to work closely with city officials and agencies, and also the Consulate-General, in providing relief to those families who have been affected.

The recovery will be difficult, but there is strength in unity.

This period requires each one of us to be strong, and to lend a helping hand to those in need of support.

Dr. Paul Robertson
Foreign Affairs Minister

The horror of the events, which unfolded in New York and Washington D.C. on September 11, is of unbelievable proportions. These attacks herald a new era of unprecedented acts of terrorism. Many nations, including our own, are reeling from the potentially staggering loss of human life. Indeed, among the more than 5,000 persons missing or confirmed dead, there are three Jamaicans who have been confirmed as casualties and 10 more reported missing.

The Government of Jamaica condemns these acts of terrorism - those responsible must be sought out and made to account for such heinous crimes against humanity.

We grieve with you, the people and Government of the United States, and I wish on behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica, and of my own accord, to express our deepest sympathies in this regard. In particular, I wish to commiserate with the injuried and the families of those who may have lost their lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.

Seymour Mullings
US Ambassador-Designate

On September 11, 2001, we witnessed with shock and horror, the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York and the Pentagon in Washington D.C. which caused great destruction and tragic loss of life of innocent civilians. These atrocities have been rightly condemned as an attack on humanity and could never be justified on any ground.

My own Government has made its position clear in unequivocal terms and as a former Foreign Minister I recognise only too well the danger to international society posed by terrorism and the wide repercussions that these latest events will create. It is obviously necessary that international efforts should be redoubled to root out terrorism, to eliminate terrorist training camps and to bring the perpetrators to justice. It is the interest of all countries to deal effectively with this threat which has brought such grief and suffering and which has endangered fear and anxiety in various parts of the world.

I express my deep sorrow and condolences to the families of those who have lost loved ones and understand the outrage felt by the United States Government on this assault on their country. They deserve our full support in taking steps to find and punish the perpetrators and to prevent the recurrence of similar acts anywhere. It is a source of comfort that the entire country has stood resolute in the face of these attacks and has demonstrated unity, strength and resolute determination to counter the menace of terrorism.

As several Jamaicans may have died in these tragic attacks we are immediately affected, but we make common cause more so out of the broader objectives we share in safeguarding peace and justice and to make the world safe from violence, war and conflict. These are interests which bind us in friendship and co-operation and I feel strongly that from this latest tragedy Jamaica and the United States will work even more closely together to advance these common goals.