The World Federalist Association expresses its deepest sorrow
for the loss of lives and innocence during this great trial.
Following the horrific terrorist attacks in New York and Washington,
emotions through the country have risen to a fevered pitch. Americans
are shaken, grief-stricken and in a time of national mourning.
Understandably, we also feel deeply resentful and angry toward
whoever committed these barbaric, cowardly acts of violence.
In this time of pain and suffering, it is of particular importance
that a strong and deliberate U.S. response to these calculated
acts of terror be tempered with prudence and collaboration with
all others in the global community who are as deeply shocked and
dismayed by this attack as we are. The United States can and should
lead the world in implementing a global response to terrorism,
gladly accepting the assistance, support and determined resolve
of all free and democratic peoples eager to join with us in eliminating
such violence from the face of the earth. This is a time when
we ought not to think and act in purely nationalistic terms, but
rather as a member of a global community that united can defend
and defeat such chaos. As a nation, we should rise above our anger
and seek justice, rather than bitter retribution.
In an age of ever increasing global interconnectedness, we cannot
simply engage in a unilateral response. For it is clear that even
in the few hours that have elapsed since the death and destruction
occurred, world leaders are speaking with one voice against this
unprecedented violence against civilians in a time of peace. British
Prime Minister Tony Blair has called terrorism "the new evil
in our world today. It is perpetrated by fanatics who are utterly
indifferent to the sanctity of human life, and we the democracies
of this world are going to have to come together and fight it
together. ... This is not a battle between the United States of
America and terrorism but a battle between the free and democratic
world and terrorism."
Collectively we face a problem that will be solved best by working
with and through global institutions such as the United Nations.
Fortunately, improved institutions of global justice are also
being established. Late last year the United States signed the
International Criminal Court (ICC) treaty, which will have jurisdiction
over "crimes against humanity" such as took place in
New York and Washington. The ICC treaty provides a structure--namely
an international court--for seeking justice. As more and more
nations ratify this treaty, the international community--under
the rule of law--is establishing the kind of permanent regime
and the needed global institutions that will swiftly bring to
justice those found accountable for committing these heinous crimes.
Just as we worked with our allies to extradite the hijackers of
PanAm flight 103 to an international tribunal, together we will
be able to seek out and hold accountable those individuals who
have perpetrated these terrorist attacks against the United States.
We should utilize this moment of tragedy to think deeply about
the causes and consequences of terrorism, and become the leader--as
the one so severely wounded--in instituting a global response
to eliminating this scourge from our world. The core values of
America are freedom, justice and the rule of law. Working together,
the people of the world can ensure these values for all of us.
May the light of peace and justice rise from this dark moment.
John B. Anderson
President
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