Speeches
Remarks by Consul General Sharon A. Wiener
Commemoration at U.S. Consulate General, Istanbul
Thursday, September 11, 2008
My friends and colleagues – today is September 11. Seven years ago, terrorists hijacked four planes, striking the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington. The fourth plane crashed Pennsylvania. Over 3000 people lost their lives in the worst attack on United States soil in our history. People from 115 countries, including Turkey, were in the Twin Towers on that fateful day.
The fight against terrorism did not begin on September 11, 2001, nor is it over as of September 11, 2008. This battle is not directed at one country or race or religion but against us all. Turkey knows this all too well. Al Qaeda struck Istanbul in 2003, and has hit in Madrid, Bali, London, and elsewhere. The PKK has killed thousands of innocent Turkish citizens. And we sadly remember that just two months ago, on July 9, three terrorists attacked this Consulate, killing three brave Turkish national police and injuring two others. We honor their sacrifice today as well.
The clear lesson of September 11 is this: The fight against terrorism is global and we must unite. Turkey and the United States both want to see an end to terrorism and today we stand together more firmly than ever to end this scourge, just as we stand together on many other issues where our values and interests coincide.
Congress has designated September 11 as "Patriot Day." In his proclamation this year, President Bush said, “We cherish the memory of the thousands of innocent victims lost, extend our thoughts and prayers to their families, and honor the heroic men and women who risked and sacrificed their lives so others might survive.”
Please join me in a minute of silence that will begin at 3:46 p.m., the exact time the first plane struck the World Trade Center.
