SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS TERRORIST ATTACK ON UNITED STATES

‘IN STRONGEST POSSIBLE TERMS’

Following is the text of a statement to the Security Council made today by Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

We meet, as you have said, in exceptionally grave circumstances.  Our host country, and this host city, have been subjected to a terrorist attack which horrifies us all.  We do not yet know the full extent of the damage, but it seems certain that thousands of people have lost their lives and many have suffered dreadful injuries.

All of us, Mr. President, feel deep shock and revulsion at the cold-blooded viciousness of this attack.

All of us condemn it, and those who planned it -- whoever they may be -- in the strongest possible terms.

All of us, I am sure, extend our most profound sympathy to the victims, to their loved ones and to the people and Government of the United States.

More than that, we must express our solidarity with the American Government and people in this hour of trial.

Terrorism is an international scourge, which the United Nations has many times condemned.  A terrorist attack on one country is an attack on humanity as a whole.  All nations of the world must work together to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

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