Mr. Chairman, Foreign Ministers, Heads of Delegations, Members of

delegations, Ladies and Gentlemen:

Just two days ago in the Permanent Council of the OAS, I expressed on behalf

of the Government of Guyana our condemnation of the terrorist attacks

carried out against the United States of America in New York, Washington and

Pennsylvania on September 11. I also on that occasion took the opportunity

of saluting the courage of the firemen, police officers, doctors, nurses,

and all others who gave their lives in a display of valor and courage that

will be remembered forever.

This tragedy that has befallen the United States of America has taken on

international proportions, as has been noted in the speeches of the Foreign

Ministers today. Like us, other nations represented in this organization are

also counting their dead. So far, we know that twenty- three Guyanese

nationals who worked at the World Trade Center are missing and presumed to

be dead. Another young Guyanese national, who had begun a career as a naval

officer, died in the Pentagon attack.

Mr. Chairman,

The terrorist acts of September 11 must strengthen the resolve of the

nations of this hemisphere and of the international community to condemn in

the strongest possible way, all forms of terrorism which are a threat to

international peace and security. We must all reaffirm that those

responsible must be brought to justice and we stand in full solidarity with

the Government and people of the United States as they plan strategies and

carry out actions to confront the perpetrators of these terrible deeds.

We must also understand that those deviants who carried out these foul deeds

are not representative of the noble religion of Islam, and we also condemn

those who with prejudice have carried out hate crimes in various communities

against Muslims and people of Arab descent and others who have been profiled

or presumed as such.

On behalf of my Government, I offer sincere condolences to all the

Governments of the hemisphere and especially to the Government and the

people of the United States of America for the massive loss of life and the

grievous injuries suffered by thousands, as a result of these despicable

acts of September 11.

I thank you.

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The Embassy of the Republic of Guyana, Washington DC.

2490 Tracy Place NW,

Washington DC 20008, USA.

Phone:(202)-265-6900

Fax: (202)-232-1297

Email: GuyanaEmbassy@hotmail.com

The Embassy's monthly "Guyana Update" is published