September 11, 2006 Speech

Comments by Ambassador Jeanine Jackson on the Occasion of the Anniversary of 11 September 2001
Ouagadougou, 11 September 2006

Ladies and Gentlemen of the government
Colleagues, members of the diplomatic corps
Colleagues, employees of the US Embassy in Ouagadougou
Fellow Americans
Honorable invitees,

Today, on the fifth anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, we come together to remember the victims.  We were all directly affected by events that fateful Tuesday.   Members of my staff personally witnessed the horrors of that day or knew friends and loved ones who were directly impacted.  My husband and I were posted at the US Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, an earlier victim of terror.  My life changed as a direct result of the September 11 attack.  Exactly three months later, I arrived in Kabul, Afghanistan to reopen our Embassy there.

I am sure all of you shared the shock and grief of that day as well.  The victims of September 11th included citizens of more than 90 different countries.  Their flags are displayed on the wreath we will lay this morning.  And we know today that terrorism affects all of us.  It has brought tragedy, destruction, death and terrible grief to innocent people across the world. 

The fight against terrorism is a concerted fight for values and principles that are universal.  Much more unites us as citizens of the world than divides us.  Across all borders, we share a common humanity.  While the color of our skin, the language we speak, or the way we worship may be different, people everywhere aspire to speak their minds, participate in their society, worship freely, live in security, and pursue education, jobs and greater opportunities for their families.

As an international community, we must foster debate, encourage education and provide information, to help people learn and make decisions for themselves.  We believe people everywhere, of every faith, will choose freedom over tyranny and tolerance over intolerance.

As we look back on September 11, 2001, we also look forward.  We seek to work in a spirit of partnership with people and nations across the world to confront the ideology of hate and foster a climate of hope and opportunity.  We believe that the ideals of freedom and justice that guide us, are right and true for people everywhere.  We want to work in partnership with nations throughout the world in ways that will result in a more peaceful and prosperous world, and a better life for people everywhere. 

I thank you, members of the government of Burkina Faso, members of the diplomatic corps, for your countries’ contributions in the fight against terrors.  I would like to renew our commitment to our conviction that all people are created equal and equally deserving of justice, respect, opportunity and dignity.

Thank you.

Chronology of attacks – Introduction to minute of silence

On September 11, 2001, two hijacked airliners crashed into the World Trade Center Towers in New York City.  American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower at
8:46 am Eastern Daylight Time.  United Airlines Flight 175 hit the South Tower at 9:03 am.  Many thousands were feared dead when the towers collapsed more than an hour after the impacts. A third hijacked airliner crashed into the Pentagon at 9:37 am.  A fourth, probably bound for another target in Washington, D.C., went down at 10:00 am in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, after passengers attempted to overpower the hijackers.  3,062 people from over 90 countries died that horrible day.

At 8:46am: May I please ask for a minute of silence to honor all victims of terror.

Closing:  I thank you for coming.  I invite you to sign our book commemorating the 5th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.