Speeches and Remarks 2006
Remarks by Ambassador Mulford
Roosevelt House 9/11 Commemoration
New Delhi, September 11, 2006
Today we are gathered beneath our flag in New Delhi to commemorate the lives lost on September 11, 2001. On that day, America was attacked by terrorists -- but so were people from 91 other countries who died that day. This is a day that will be remembered by all of us, throughout our lives, with sadness and a vivid sense of loss. But also, true to America's embrace of all the people of the world, this day will remain a tragedy for families and friends all over the globe.
America was attacked on September 11, 2001. But Americans are a strong and resilient people. We are united in the belief that we will not - that we cannot - be intimidated, not to mention defeated, by those who employ unprovoked terrorist attacks to weaken our society.
Under the leadership of President Bush, America has resolved to defend itself against those who hate us and our friends and allies. These are evil people who have contempt for our values of freedom, tolerance, and democracy.
All of us can recall with clarity the pain and the outrage of September 11, 2001 as we join together in honor of the thousands who lost their lives that day. For those of us in government, however, there is, perhaps, a special responsibility associated with this day. We have a special and daily responsibility to our fellow Americans to maintain vigilance and take steps to prevent future terrorist attacks on our country.
As President Bush has pointed out in his speeches this week: we have made great progress these last five years in protecting our country, but there is still work to be done.
Earlier today I visited Mumbai. I went there today - on a day of sorrow for us in America - to show our solidarity with that great city and the people of India for the Mumbai train bombings just two months past. I had the chance to meet people - including our own employees -- who were affected by that attack.
One can see their resolve, as one sees it in their city and in India, generally, to move on with that same strength of character that we have seen in America. The United States is marking its own solemn anniversary today, but we also stand with our friends in India.
In democratic, pluralistic and tolerant societies such as ours there can be no possible excuse for terrorist attacks -- whether in New York, Mumbai, Malegaon or elsewhere. And the list is very long today.
There is simply no place for terrorism in civilized societies. Our nation and our friends and partners throughout the world are resolved to confront the terrorists wherever they may be and to protect our countries and our citizens from their acts of indiscriminate violence and their ideology of hatred. Nor will we let their hatred turn us into a people that hate and fear others.
Americans must stand together with our friends and partners throughout the world, with India in this case, and resolve to answer history's call to defeat our enemies, to bring justice to their messengers of violence and to ensure the survival and success of liberty. We are open and proud democracies. We will work together to defeat this evil conspiracy that threatens our freedom.
We can see this common bond between our countries -- We promise each other that it must not bend or break. Americans will continue to walk tall in this world as working partners for creative solutions. We have seen challenges to American before; indeed constantly in our history. Our nation depends on us to answer this challenge with the steady courage and resolve that has marked America from its very beginning. Our friends around the world also depend upon us. We cannot fail.