PRESS RELEASE

September 8, 2006

A Letter from U.S. Ambassador in Hanoi

Dear Friends,

Monday marks the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.  As we recall that tragedy while far from home, it is important to remember that the victims of those attacks were citizens of more than 90 different countries, including of our host-nation Vietnam.  They were Christians, Jews, Moslems, Buddhists, believers and non-believers.  They were loved ones, family members, friends, partners and colleagues.    Their loss is a sad reminder of the inhumanity of their terrorist mass murderers and the shared challenge we face against an ideology of hate, destruction, and death.  Moreover, as President George W. Bush pointed out this week, the recently foiled plot in London shows that the terrorists are still active and that they're still trying to kill innocent people. 

It is important to understand the goals of terrorists as they plan and carry out their attacks, whether in New York, Washington, Bali or Madrid.  Terrorists not only kill and maim innocents, which is a horrible crime; they are also intent on disrupting or destroying the world's global economic and commercial structure, on which the prosperity of both the United States and Vietnam depends.  They threaten the jobs and futures of people far from the scene of an attack.  That terrorists might succeed in their ultimate goal is inconceivable, and the common commitment to counter such ambitions is an important element in the strong partnership the United States shares with Vietnam and virtually all other nations in the world in the fight against terrorism. 

On September 11, 2002, President Bush reminded us that, “Ours is the cause of human dignity; freedom guided by conscience and guarded by peace.”  Those words still ring true today as we move forward together in friendship and partnership in this endeavor.  Approaching this challenge, the peoples of the United States and Vietnam stand side by side.  Our peoples share a deep desire to build better lives for themselves and their families, to pursue educations, jobs and greater opportunities to succeed in a secure and stable world.  We will continue to work in partnership with the Vietnamese Government and its people to seek a more peaceful and prosperous world. 
 
On Monday at 8:46 a.m., the time of the first plane striking the World Trade Center, I ask that you join me and my colleagues at the Embassy in Hanoi and the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City in a moment of silent reflection.  This anniversary allows us the opportunity to reaffirm our unconditional condemnation of all acts of terror.  No religion condones the deliberate targeting and killing of innocent civilians, and no cause or grievance – even legitimate ones – can ever justify it.  Let us together remember that September 11 five years ago, and let us together renew our commitment to work ever harder for a peaceful world in which such acts can never occur again.

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