13 September 2001

OSCE Declares Day of Mourning for Victims of Terrorist Attack on U.S.

The Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) declared September 14 "a day of grief and mourning" for the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States, and determined that flags in Vienna of the 55 participating States will be at half-mast.

"We are determined, acting together with the entire international community, to unite and put an end to terrorism, a scourge of our times which threatens peace and security throughout the world," the Permanent Council also said in a decision issued September 13.

Following is the decision statement:

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
13 September 2001
Permanent Council
352nd Plenary Meeting
PC Journal No. 352, Agenda item 1
Decision No. 438
Decision By The Permanent Council On The Acts Of Terrorism In New York City And Washington, D.C.

The world has witnessed with horror and revulsion the barbaric acts of terrorism which have caused enormous loss of human life, destruction and damage in New York City and Washington, D.C.

We, the representatives of all 55 OSCE States, express our sorrow and our outrage at these senseless acts.

We express our deepest and sincerest condolences to the families of the victims and our solidarity with the people and Government of the United States.

This tragedy affects all of us. These were acts not against the United States alone but against all of humanity.

Those responsible for sponsoring, organizing, harboring and supporting in any way the execution of these criminal acts must be brought to justice.

We are determined, acting together with the entire international community, to unite and put an end to terrorism, a scourge of our times which threatens peace and security throughout the world.

We declare the day of Friday, 14 September 2001, a day of grief and mourning. The flags of the participating States of the OSCE in Vienna will be at half-mast.