Mr. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation
Members of the Government
Ambassadors and Chiefs of Mission
Esteemed clergy
Ladies and Gentlemen

We have gathered here today to commemorate the anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.  On that day, a band of terrorists turned planes into missiles, causing the deaths of thousands of innocent people, bringing grief and sorrow into the lives of those family and friends they left behind. Who was not touched by what happened? For not only were the victims citizens of many nations, they were fathers and brothers, sisters and mothers, children, friends and partners to many more.  We solemnly remember all who died and those whose lives were seared by the events of that terrible and tragic day.  

The victims of the attacks of 11 September 2001 were of diverse religious faiths such as Christianity, Islam and Buddhism. Citizens of more than 90 nations lost their lives, among them citizens of Germany, Spain, France, and several other European Union countries as well as China, Egypt, Gambia, Israel, Mali, Russia, and Yemen.  On that day, we saw that there are those willing to kill indiscriminately.  We learned that there are those who consider terror a legitimate means of achieving their goals.  We came to feel that no one was safe any longer from such blindly hateful acts.  Indeed, since then, terrorism has spread hatred, rained destruction, and brought about the deaths of innocent people throughout the world, from Indonesia to Morocco to Spain, Jordan, the United Kingdom, Egypt and Algeria.  We clearly realize that whatever our nationality, we must stand together against the ideology of destruction and chaos preached by Al Qaeda and their allies.

Mr. Minister, Excellencies, Ladies, Gentlemen

The international community has joined together to stand up to this horror. People the world over reject Al Qaeda’s ideas, methods, and tactics, for they know that mass murderers do not have much relevance or credibility and offer no solution.  The United States has worked with its friends and allies, including Mauritania, to fight this scourge across a broad spectrum of actions including the destruction of training camps, blocking terrorist assets, assisting security forces, and prosecuting terrorist leaders.  More importantly, we work with our allies to build mutual understanding and respect – the most important strategy to combat terrorism.

As Americans we cherish freedom of religion and tolerance.  We, as do others throughout the world, wish to live in peace.  But we and other citizens of the world community are now involved in a fight against extremism and violence.  It is the long struggle of this generation and perhaps even the next.  We may take some comfort from the fact that while the good things which belong to prosperity are to be wished, the good things that belong to adversity are to be admired.  In these adverse times, we are called upon to display that fortitude and fidelity necessary to successfully meet the challenges of that struggle.   In working together for freedom, mutual understanding, and peace we are creating a future of hope and progress.   

Mr. Minister, Honored Guests, Ladies, Gentlemen

I would like to thank all Mauritanians for their open-mindedness and their staunch solidarity. We salute Mauritania for its efforts to build a democratic nation built on mutual respect between all Mauritanians.  It is a testament to both their religion of tolerance and to their Arab and African traditions.

Thank you.

Nouakchoutt, September 11, 2007
‏
Dennis Hankins,
Chargé d’Affaires, United States Embassy in Mauritania