UNMIK/PR/817
Wednesday, 11 September 2002

Speech by SRSG Michael Steiner given at the US Mission in Kosovo Remembrance Ceremony
for the Victims of September 11, 2001

Ambassador Harnish, Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of all the members of UNMIK, I wish to convey my deep condolences on this, the first anniversary of the infamous terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.

In murdering innocent people from all over the world, the terrorists were assaulting not only the United States itself but civilization as a whole. For civilization rests on respect for diversity and for the security and dignity of individual human beings - the very values on which the United Nations was founded 51 years ago. As the Secretary-General said today: "There could be no greater affront to the spirit and purpose of the United Nations than the terrorist attacks on September 11. Everything we work for - peace, development, health, freedom - is damaged by this horror."

It is these universal values that UNMIK, with indispensable support from KFOR, is here in Kosovo to protect and nurture. As I have repeated many times: multi-ethnicity and integration are the pass keys to Europe and to international respect. In this sense, all of us working to support these values are unified in a single struggle. Our struggle is the same.

On this day, we remember the thousands of women and men who were victims of hateful intolerance in New York and Washington. Coming from over ninety countries, these people’s everyday lives bore witness to the dynamism of diversity. And yet, as Abraham Lincoln said after the terrible battle at Gettysburg, even as we remember, we are obliged to look forward. “It is for us, the living,” said Lincoln, “to be dedicated to the great task remaining before us – that from these honored dead we take increased devotion.”

For us in Kosovo, that means redoubling our commitment to make Kosovo a place where all its people can live in dignity and security. That means Kosovo’s elected representatives exercising energetic leadership in driving progress in developing democratic institutions, institutionalizing the rule of law and supporting the right of every displaced Kosovan to return to her or his home. In this effort we count on the continuing strong support of the United States, not only as a political partner but as a strong ally in a common struggle against intolerance and lawlessness.

September 11 changed everything everywhere. Here in Kosovo we no longer have the endless time we thought we had.

Today let us honour those who perished with solemn reflection. From tomorrow let us honour them with bold action – bold action to make Kosovo a just, secure and prosperous society that is respected by the world.

./.