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Reaction to the Events of September 11, 2001 From Posts Around the World
(In alphabetical order by country.)
Sincere thanks to all of our readers who took the time to write and share what took place.
Leipzig, Germany: The morning after the tragedy, the American
and FSN employees of our tiny Consulate all attended a memorial service
and prayer for peace in the city's oldest church. The St. Thomas' boys
choir, pulled hastily out of their school, sang in their sweatshirts and
jeans to a full house. Outside the church we hugged and cried, German
and American alike.
On Thursday, there was a nationwide moment of silence; even the shoppers
in the grocery store behind our building stopped their carts and fell
silent.
And on Friday, a large envelope appeared in our mailbox, full of drawings
from the German kindergarten our first-grader used to attend. The teachers
and the children who remembered him wanted us to know they were thinking
of us. One boy drew a damaged skyscraper in purple crayon, with the caption
in big awkward letters: "Dear Zachary, we are thinking about you
very much with lots of love. From Leander." A girl drew "a new
house for Zachary."
At the police cordon around the Consulate, flowers, candles and signs
are piled high. School classes and other groups hold vigils and Candlelight
marches. The people here, many of whom lived through the terrible bombings
in World War II, are very much afraid of another war. But they are on
our side, and their hearts are with us. (Patricia Linderman)
Dublin, Ireland:You will be glad to hear that we had a very special day of mourning here in Ireland last Friday. There was an enormous turn out with every shop, supermarket, government service etc. closing down for the day and special masses and religious services taking place. (Gabrielle Hampson)
Chisinau,
Moldova: Here in the capital city, Moldovans were shocked to watch
the tragedy unfold on local television stations and CNN. Because of the
time zones change, we watched from early evening the events happening
in New York and Washington on the morning of September 11. Events were
canceled; sympathies were shown the Americans through condolence calls
and visits; masses of flowers were left at the entrance to the U.S. Embassy.
All churches in the country were requested to reflect on the tragedy at
Sunday services. The Catholic Mass began with several minutes of silence
as the church bells rang. We were only two Americans in the congregation,
receiving the genuine sympathy and prayers of so many people, people who
know the U.S. only from television, movies and aid assistance projects.
I was moved to tears. (Pat Olsen)
Panama City, Panama:
SHARED PAIN, SHARED RESOLVE: THE EXPRESSIONS OF PANAMANIAN SUPPORT HAVE GRATIFIED US ALL
By Frederick A. Becker, Charge d'Affaires,
Embassy of the United States of America
September 11, 2001, is, and forevermore will be, a date of horror. Its incredible images of death and destruction, wrought by an evil fanaticism, will be an indelible stain on the history of humankind.
The almost unimaginable attacks on New York and Washington have changed The entire world with a violent suddenness that stuns us even in these modern times of rapid and dramatic change. The toll of human suffering has been overwhelming.
The prompt and emphatic expressions of support and solidarity from the Government and people of Panama have gratified and touched all of us in The U.S. Embassy community. So many of us have received personal expressions of sympathy, sorrow, and brotherhood from Panamanian neighbors, friends, and professional contacts. I was deeply moved by the vigil that hundreds of Panamanians held in front of the embassy this past Sunday. This is indeed a shared pain, and the mourning continues.
I want to assure all U.S. citizens who call Panama home that your security and well-being remain priority concerns of this diplomatic mission. We are here to serve you all and will remain steadfast in doing so.
As President Bush has stated, we are now in a state of war against international terrorism. And in responding to these crimes against humanity, the United States will not distinguish between individual terrorists and the states that protect or support them -- politically, financially, or by any other means. Secretary of State Colin Powell warned that this war "isn't going to be solved with a single counterattack against one individual. It's going to be a long-term conflict, and it's going to be fought on many fronts…. And it's a war not just against the United States. It's a war against civilization. It's a war against all nations that believe in democracy."
During the past century, the world's civilized nations fought against the evils of Fascism, Nazism and Communism, and together -- certainly at great cost - we triumphed. In this new century, we have an immediate new policy priority: to aggressively confront and defeat international terrorism. This policy will place extraordinary new demands on America and on all our allies and friends who join us in this cause, for the terrorists clearly respect neither sovereign borders nor the rules that govern civilized societies. Terrorists count on their capacity to divide us over the costs, hardships, and inconveniences that their atrocities create. The goal of these fanatics is to force us to live in fear and submission and to abandon our cherished values. We cannot, and will not, allow this to happen.
Eliminating terrorist attacks and dismantling terrorist organizations will require a unified, coordinated, global response, and immediate U.S. efforts are dedicated to galvanizing that response. The United States is calling on all its friends and allies to take real, concrete steps to join the fight against international terrorism. We must be ready to endure the tests that will come. The sense of solidarity that this tragedy today has inspired is a mark of our humanity as well as a badge for the common cause we must maintain against such evil.
We know now how real the threats are, how urgent the mission is. At stake are our long-term hopes for sustainable democracy, personal security, economic opportunity, and social justice for all, everywhere in the world.
The United States seeks a world of societies that are free and where individuals are secure to pursue their individual ideals under a shared umbrella of peace and opportunity and where there is respect for differences of color, faith and creed. The terrorists who attacked the United States last week aim to prevent that, seek to impose their one view on all the world.
Our success against international terrorism and the preservation of our way of life rest squarely on our sense of community and common purpose. Judging by the world's outrage and reaffirmation of hope and resolve that arose from the ashes of those terrible acts of terrorism, we will assuredly prevail. (Susan Street)
Lima, Peru: I thought you'd be interested in an unusual tribute the embassy was paid this morning. I run with a group of long distance runners here, 95% Peruvians, who go to NY every year for the NYC marathon. They love the city, rave about how wonderfully welcoming the city is and recruited me (and my two daughters) to run with them last year, which we did. Fantastic experience, as we three ran in Peruvian uniforms and got cheered on by the New Yorkers as Peruvians.
This morning the runners, over a hundred of them, finished their long training run at the Embassy. We regrouped before entering the compound, carrying flowers and jogged around to the flag, still at half mast. The CLO had coolers of Gatorade and juice, lots of press were there and we had set up microphone/podium. We deposited the flowers and candles at the base of the flagpole, had a moment of silence, sang the national anthem and then were paid tribute/condolences by the group President. I responded on behalf of the embassy community and there were cheers and abrazos all around.It was really a wonderful, and rather unusual event.
A little more about the group: They come from all professions and social/economic groups -- from doctors/lawyers to some fishermen from a shantytown south of Lima (who can really run and whom the rest of the group sponsors to go to NY). They range in age from 18 to 58 (I'm the second oldest) and contain a fourth to a third women. It's been a wonderful group of people to get to know and their solidarity with us could not be stronger. (John Hamilton)
Kiev, Ukraine: Last Friday we had a Hail and Farewell event scheduled with Arabic food to be catered by a local Egyptian. Under the circumstances the event was changed to a "community gathering" for people to lend each other support. Ambassador Pascual opened his home to the entire Mission Community, including the children, for a "pot luck" dinner. Even FSNs brought their favorite dishes or pizza if too busy to cook. We all gathered in the back yard where the Ambassador said a few words about our coming together as a community to offer each other comfort and support. An ecumenical prayer was offered and several people from the community, FSNs included, spoke of the tragedy and of our commitment as a community to move forward. The ambassador finished up with a poignant message, directed particularly to the children.
On Monday, 17 October, St. Alexander's Catholic Church held a memorial Mass for the American community. Ambassador Pascual attended the Mass and offered some prayers of the faithful from the pulpit. (Carole Zalucky)
Caracas, Venezuela: Here in Caracas, Venezuela there have been several memorial services that I am aware of. The Embassy receives daily flowers and messages of condolences and solidarity from Venezolanos. The gates are decorated with many many flowers and the number increases daily. Some are brought inside the Embassy as well. Today the Embassy had a memorial service and we planted a tree to keep fresh in our hearts and minds the memory of those lost last week.
How did the Embassy handle it? Well, I don't know directly as I was at home in my apartment. I do know that I called my friend whose husband happens to be the RSO. She told me that the Embassy was recommending that we remain in our apartments and should we NEED to venture out to keep as low a profile as possible. The schools did not close early but did increase the security of their grounds. The Embassy as well has increased the security of the grounds. Personally, a week later I feel no need to "protect myself" from my neighbors here in Caracas. From the Caraquenos we have received nothing but friendship and empathy and sympathy. This doesn't mean that I go out of my way to draw attention to the fact that I am from the U.S., I do not! I attempt to speak the local language to the best of my ability and I use the local stores as needed without worry. I don't worry about traveling to and from either. The Embassy itself and the locals have made us all feel safe here...and more than that they have made us feel welcome.
The locals seem to understand our feelings of powerlessness over the events of last week. The Embassy too has understood our need to want to "do something" to help...though we are far away and cannot do much practically! They have researched and found places for us to send monetary donations as that seems to be of the greatest need that we overseas can meet. The Health Unit had a local psychiatrist come in and speak about trauma and tips were provided in our local newsletter. The schools are providing counseling to the children as well. The day it happened I wanted to be home. Today I am glad I am here. (Sandi Vacho)