12 October 2001

African Ambassadors Condemn Terrorist Attacks on U.S.

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:

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