UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL Open Meeting -11 September Terrorist Attack on the United States Statement by H.E Mr John Dauth LVO,
Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations 12 September 2001
Mr President,
Australians were horrified to learn of the catastrophic terrorist attacks in New York and Washington DC on 11 September.
Australia feels revulsion and anger at the despicable and cowardly nature of these acts, which clearly have caused so many deaths and injuries. Our nation extends its deepest sympathy and condolences to the victims, their families and to all Americans.
While destroyed buildings can be re-erected or replaced, it is impossible to replace lost loved ones or fully repair shattered bodies and minds. The healing process will continue for a long time to come.
Whatever the objectives of the terrorists may have been, any expectation they had of winning wider support for their cause was misplaced. Their calculated and callous disregard for innocent human lives ensures that.
We condemn what happened here as we unequivocally condemn terrorism in all its forms, whatever the source, whatever the claimed motive and in whatever country terrorism is perpetrated.
We must all band together as nations with a common commitment to peace, security and stability to do all we can to bring the perpetrators to justice and find new ways to deter and prevent other such cowardly terrorist acts.
Thank you Mr President.