25 September 2001

U.S. Aviation Chief Urges Action to Address Air Travel Crisis

Governments around the world must address a crisis of confidence that threatens the economic vitality of civil aviation, says Jane Garvey, administrator of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

She spoke in Montreal September 25 to the 33rd General Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a body composed of 187 member states, including the United States. Two weeks after the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, Garvey declared: "I can say this much. We must forever alter the nature of civil aviation."

Garvey said ICAO states "must move swiftly -- we must move confidently -- to reassure our citizens that air travel remains one of the safest forms of transportation ever devised." She urged ICAO states to cooperate fully in the investigation, apprehension, and prosecution of all those responsible for the September 11 terrorist attacks, and called on them to help develop a detailed action plan "to address the new forms of threat to civil aviation."

The Montreal-based ICAO sets international standards and regulations necessary for the safety and security of air transport.

Following is the text of Garvey's remarks, provided to the Department of State by the ICAO:

FAA Administrator Jane F. Garvey

Remarks to the ICAO 33rd ICAO General Assembly

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

as delivered on September 25, 2001

Mr. President, Mr. Secretary General, Fellow Delegates, Observers and Honored Guests: On behalf of President Bush and on behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I wish to express to President Kotaite, Secretary General Costa Pereira, and each member of the Assembly, our deepest appreciation, our gratitude for the tremendous outpouring of support we received after the tragic events of September 11. We know you stand with us.

Before September 11, civil aviation was the sound -- it was the symbol -- of commerce. We knew with certainty that it built economies -- we knew it tied the world together -- we knew it improved our quality of life.

On September 11, the world changed. Terrorists turned tools of commerce -- they turned instruments of unity -- into weapons of hate.

President Bush has made it abundantly clear -- the United States regards the acts as an act of war ... not only as an assault on America's financial and political capitols, but as an attack on freedom itself.

But the United States does not grieve alone. More than 80 countries, each one a member of ICAO, lost citizens in the destruction of the World Trade Center. Nations who count themselves as part of a civilized society simply will not allow this barbaric attack to stand unanswered.

The family of nations has no place for those with such a fundamental disregard for humanity. We urge this Assembly to rapidly approve the resolution formally condemning these despicable acts, so that no one -- no one -- can doubt the sentiments of the Governments of the world.

Without delay, the member States of ICAO should: first, agree to cooperate fully in the investigation, in the apprehension and prosecution of all those responsible for these unspeakable acts of unprecedented savagery. Second, meet at a high level to reach agreement among States on how best to prevent and eradicate acts of terrorism against civil aviation. And, third, develop a detailed action plan to address the new forms of threat to civil aviation.

We know the world changed on September 11. Just two weeks after this deadly attack, I can say this much. We must forever alter the nature of civil aviation. What we saw on September 11 was new -- hijackers taking over commercial flights for the sole purpose of turning them into weapons of unimaginable destruction. That very act changed our assumptions forever. Recognizing this harsh reality, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta has challenged us to provide near-term recommendations for further improving both airport and aircraft security. We intend to implement those recommendations quickly.

The United States will advise ICAO about those recommendations on which we will seek international cooperation. At the same time that ICAO and the member States heighten procedures and move to make our aircraft safer, we have another equally important assignment. And this one is just as vital. We must address a crisis of confidence in air travel that threatens the economic vitality of civil aviation around the world. We must move swiftly -- we must move confidently -- to reassure our citizens that air travel remains one of the safest forms of transportation ever devised.

On September 11, terrorists destroyed the World Trade Center, they damaged the Pentagon, and they murdered more than 6,000 people. We must not let them hold aviation hostage.

Safety and security aboard commercial aircraft must be unquestioned.

While we may not regain our lost innocence about the freedom to travel, we can and we will enjoy a transportation system that is safe, secure, and stable.

So, too, with international aviation. The enemy who struck New York and Washington, D.C., could just as easily target any one of the world's other great cities.

We in the United States have long known that "eternal vigilance is the price of liberty." Now, we know it is the price of mobility.

Winston Churchill, at a time when destruction rained from the skies above London, warned his countrymen: "This is only the first sip, the first foretaste of a bitter cup that will be proffered to us year by year ... unless we arise again and take our stand for freedom."

The treaty that created ICAO justly declares that "civil aviation can greatly help to create and preserve friendship and understanding among the nations and peoples of the world, yet its abuse can become a threat to the general security."

Two weeks ago today, in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in the fields of Pennsylvania, that threat became a reality.

But the United States cannot stand alone in this endeavor to safeguard civil aviation. Aviation security is a global challenge. It calls for global solutions. That is why ICAO, that is why each one of you -- my colleagues, my friends from around the world -- will play such an important role as we work together to promote security and "preserve friendship and understanding."

This week -- here in Montreal, as you go about the vital work of this wonderful organization -- let each of us take our stand for freedom ... for decency ... for simple humanity ... striving together to make the world a safer arid better place for our children and all the generations yet to come.

The world waits for us to do what needs to be done. Once again let civil aviation become the symbol of commerce, the symbol of prosperity, the symbol of peace.