NLIS 2
September 11, 2002
(Government Services and Lands)

 

The following is the text of an address by Walter Noel, Minister of Government Services and Lands and MHA - Virginia Waters, delivered at a ceremony held at St. John�s City Hall today to commemorate the anniversary of September 11, 2001:

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We are gathered, as many people are around the world today, to remember, and condemn, the tragic events of last September. Events which changed the world.

We are gathered in memory of the victims, in solidarity with those who have been hurt most, and in solidarity with all who are determined to prevent such future evil.

We are gathered to honour those from our own province and country who, with allies in many nations, are working to prevent future assaults on humanity, and working to destroy the forces responsible for such infamy. We are asserting our respect and thanks for all who have carried the fight to the enemy, especially military personnel from our province and country who risk, and have lost, their lives in the process. And we are celebrating those who have epitomized the magnificence of the human spirit through this time of adversity.

We condemn the malicious network responsible for murdering the inhabitants of the World Trade Centre in New York. We deplore the mentality of those who felt their actions furthered a legitimate cause. We denounce the ignorance, selfishness and demonic thirst for power of those responsible for such horrors.

The people of Newfoundland and Labrador were especially horrified by last year�s events because we are peace loving and caring people, and because we identified with those who suffered most from the carnage. We felt close to what happened because of the thousands of people who were forced to land, and live for a short time in our province. We welcomed the opportunity to again provide a refuge on the edge of North America for travelers in need, as we so often have through the centuries. And we appreciated the chance to demonstrate again, along with citizens from many countries, the ability of good to vanquish evil.

Last September was not simply an American tragedy. People everywhere were affected directly through relations with victims from many races and regions, and have been affected since by the repercussions. The assault took place in New York, but the intended victims live throughout the world.

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have a special relationship with the United States because we have so much in common, because so many Americans have lived and worked with us, and because so many of our own people have sought opportunities in that country, and have chosen to share their lives with American citizens. Contrary to the intentions of the terrorists, I believe our ties have strengthened through the past year.

On behalf of the government of our province, I want to thank everyone who rose to the occasion, everyone who contributed to the hospitality and generosity shown our visitors. I want to thank the council and citizens of St. John�s, and the many organizations which worked so successfully together to make us proud of our community.

I also want to thank on your behalf the many people we befriended for their words and deeds of appreciation, then and since. Friendships were formed and initiatives undertaken here which contributed to the universal overwhelming of the infamy of the deranged perpetrators of terrorism.

Not only did the terrorists destroy innocent lives and create untold misery, they destroyed themselves, betrayed the interests of those for whom they claimed to be acting, and precipitated human and economic devastation on their own people. Their insane undertakings were absolutely without justification. The perpetrators were themselves victims of their own fantasies and manipulators, and agents of enemies of civilized life and democratic freedom. Their mission was a dismal and costly failure. Their attempted intimidation served only to strengthen our resolve and defenses, and renew our confidence in the capacity of civilized people to prevail.

Let us re-dedicate ourselves, and I believe we have, to building a better, more civilized and secure world - whatever the price. Let us work more diligently to eliminate the injustices, inequities and doctrines which pervert human instincts and ambitions. But let us resolve forever, to do everything in our power to help identify and eliminate inhumane and anti-democratic forces wherever they exist.

Thank you for participating in this celebration of our values, commitments and solidarity. Thank you to everyone dedicated to protecting our lives, institutions and freedoms. And thank you to the citizens of our city and province responsible for making this such a special place to live.

2002 09 11 3:05 p.m.


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