The terrorists who leveled the World Trade Center, smashed into the Pentagon, caused a passenger jet to be flown into the ground in Pennsylvania, and killed thousands of people on the morning of Sept. 11, thought that they would change the world forever.
The terrorists did change the world, but in ways they never intended.
Where the terrorists sought to divide and destroy, the world has instead joined together to build a coalition against terrorism. Where the terrorists tried to sow doubt and fear, the world has responded with commitment, courage and determination. Where the terrorists imagined they could hide, the coalition is turning them out of their lairs and will bring them to justice.
It has been just over 100 days since those terrorist attacks, 100 days since the world joined forces to eliminate terrorism. Acting together, the coalition has used its military power to pursue and eliminate the terrorists in Afghanistan. The coalition has worked together to cut off the flow of terrorist financing worldwide, and to make it more difficult for terrorists to cross borders, unnoticed, to carry out their murderous plans.
While the coalition's military objectives -- the elimination of the Taliban and al-Qaeda terrorist threat -- have not yet been fully achieved, a great deal has been accomplished in this first hundred days. Afghanistan is now back in the hands of Afghans eager to rebuild their country; humanitarian aid, interrupted by the Taliban, is once again flowing to the Afghan people; girls are returning to the classroom; women are free to venture outside their homes; widows can now provide food for their families; children can once again fly kites; music is once again heard in the streets and boys can play soccer again.
Perhaps most remarkable of all, in defiance of history and with the help of the UN and the international community, Afghans have put aside their differences to form an interim government, and to work together to rebuild their country. Afghan women will take their rightful place in this new government, and the Afghan people will once again govern themselves.
The terrorist network in Afghanistan has been disrupted and dismembered, but there is still much to do to make sure they can never again launch their destruction on the world community. The elimination of al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups will not be quick or easy, but whether it takes a week or a year or a decade, the terrorists will be brought to justice.
The war on terrorist financing is one of the outstanding successes in the overall war on terrorism. Law enforcement agencies in countries worldwide are contributing to the success of the war on terror by sharing information in order to apprehend terrorists before they strike. Yet much remains to be done.
UN Security Council Resolution 1373, passed on Sept. 28, requires all member nations to adopt and implement wide-ranging anti-terrorism measures, especially those suppressing financing to terrorist groups and improving international cooperation hindering the free movement of terrorist operatives. The US stands ready to work with partners in accomplishing these objectives.
In addition, the twelve UN conventions against terrorism constitute the bedrock of the international community's response to the terrorist threat. All states should ratify and implement these conventions. It is gratifying that Taiwan has endorsed and committed to implement the provisions of UNSCR 1373 and the other UN conventions.
Thanks to coalition action in Afghanistan, humanitarian aid is now moving overland to those Afghans most in need.
US President George W. Bush called on the children and all the people of America to open their hearts and reach out to the people and children of Afghanistan. Shipments of medical aid and assistance, including school supplies, clothing and gifts are now on their way to Afghanistan. Among this outpouring of human caring are winter tents, winter jackets, and 10,000 gift parcels from the children of America to the children of Afghanistan, containing hats, socks, toothbrushes and hair brushes, candy and toys, which may bring joy to those children who have suffered such incredible hardship.
The terrorists imagined they would change the world. But they could never have imagined the way in which the world would come together after Sept. 11. Those who committed the terrorist crimes of Sept. 11 galvanized the international community and brought the countries of the world together, united by a resolve to eliminate the threat of terrorism once and for all.
During the first hundred days since Sept. 11, the coalition against terrorism has already achieved what many thought would be impossible. Yet there is still much to do, and there is no going back. And in the end, the world will be victorious over terrorism.
Pamela Slutz is acting director of the American Institute in Taiwan.
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