Organization
of American States
Press
Release
(E-204/01)
October
4, 2001
MOMENT
OF SILENCE IN ANOTHER HEMISPHERIC Staff
and diplomats at the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington
paid tribute at noon today to the victims of the recent terrorist
attacks on the United States, offering a moment of silence followed by
expressions of sympathy and solidarity with their families and the
people of the United States at large. U.S.
Ambassador to the OAS Roger Noriega said the event, organized by the OAS
Staff Association, meant a lot to him personally and to his delegation.
He recalled being with "the inter-American family" at
an OAS meeting in Lima, Peru, when word came about the attack that
fateful September 11 morning. "We
are family in the Americas and we will respond as a family," he
declared to the staff and hemispheric diplomats, adding that "this
sort of terrorism has always strengthened that which it attacks." Noting
that President George W. Bush is well aware of the immediate response
from the OAS, Noriega thanked the Organization and commended the
leadership of its Staff Association for taking the initiative in
organizing today's tribute. Colombia's
Ambassador to the OAS, Humberto de la Calle, also conveyed his nation's
solidarity, referring to the victims as "ours" as well, since
many were from several OAS member countries. OAS
Secretary General César Gaviria, meanwhile, repeated the hemispheric
solidarity, saying the Organization views the terrorist attack as an
attack against all the nations of the Americas.
He pledged the Organization's members would "work side by
side" with the government and people of the United States.
The
Assistant Secretary General, Luigi Einaudi, a U.S. national, cited the
outpouring of solidarity as an anchor, explaining:
"This Hemisphere, represented by this Organization, is our
anchor." Staff
Association President Marta Braga declared that in mourning the victims,
the OAS staff members are honoring them, their families and those who
lost their lives performing their duties. ********** |