REACTION TO THE TERRORIST ATTACKS ON THE U.S.: President Leonid Kuchma of Ukraine (09/23/01)

REACTION TO THE TERRORIST ATTACKS ON THE U.S.

President Leonid Kuchma of Ukraine

Following is the September 12 address by President Leonid Kuchma to the people of Ukraine regarding terrorist attacks in the United States. The text was released on September 13 by Ukraine's Consulate General in New York.

Dear compatriots:

Yesterday, on September 11, 2001, an unprecedented horrible crime was committed against the United States of America, against the American people.

Millions of people around the globe are deeply shocked by what they have seen and heard.

The exact number of human and material losses is still unknown; however this woeful count will be tremendous. This terrorist act has no historic precedent in terms of its scale, cruelty and cynicism.

On your behalf, my fellow citizens, and on behalf of the whole Ukrainian nation, I have sent President of the U.S.A. George W. Bush words of deep condolence and pain for the grief that fell upon the country and its people, and of strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

This sorrow has left no country and no nation indifferent.

We are facing the fierce snarl of terrorism - a weapon of blind and ruthless hatred that shall not stop for anything. We once again saw that in our time terrorism knows no national borders or state frontiers.

The tragic events of September 11 represent a challenge not only for America and its people. This is a challenge for the whole world, for everyone who wishes to live in accordance with God's commandments and the laws of humans, not beasts.

It was not accidental that the terrorists chose the time just before the opening session of the U.N. General Assembly to strike a destructive blow against the U.S.A.

The closeness of the modern world is especially evident today. At the same time, its vulnerability to diabolic villainy and the ingenuity of the forces of evil wishing to rebuild it in their way is evident as well.

Therefore, facing this threat, the whole civilized world must close ranks and demonstrate its unity, conformity and coordination of actions to effectively counteract evil plans and intentions. This is a principal position of Ukraine, which has put forward and is putting forward initiatives aimed at uniting efforts to combat international terrorism.

Today no one should doubt the urgent need for developing and deepening cooperation in this field between states and special services, and for preparing joint documents on the international and regional levels.

We are ready to submit and we shall submit relevant proposals. This must be a joint action plan that will reliably safeguard against the slightest possibility of recurrence of anything similar to yesterday's tragedy.

At the same time, the need to get rid of all double standards, in particular those defining terrorism and crimes, and the need for practical actions resulting from this, are evident as well.

A terrorist must be called a terrorist, and a criminal must be called a criminal, irrespective of the guise under which they are acting and the political camouflage under which they are hiding.

In addition to its international aspect, the problem of preventing and combatting terrorism has an important internal dimension.

Realizing the tragedy of what has happened in these days, we must draw serious and adequate conclusions, without downplaying possible threats.

I consider it to be our mutual obligation to ensure discipline, organization and order. This as well relates to service, professional and civil responsibility for everything that is done at assigned position, in the state and society as a whole.

These days do not tolerate flippancy, carelessness and disorder.

Those services and people tasked to protect your peace and order, your safety, must and shall perform their duties objectively, competently and responsibly.

Relevant decisions and recommendations have been made at the meeting of the National Security and Defense Council that I summoned today. Their implementation will be specially controlled. We have enough forces and means to protect our state and its citizens.

Terrorism shall not be tolerated; it has no place in the modern world.

Dear compatriots:

Sorrow hurts, but it unites as well. We see the unity with which the American nation, its political leaders and authorities have reacted and are living through this national tragedy.

I call for similar strengthening of unity here in Ukraine. The eternal norms of morality, humanity and mercy tell us to do so.

In these difficult times let us be wise, considered and farsighted people, conscious of our duties before the present and the future.

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