Statement by
Rt. Hon. P.J. Patterson, P.C., Q.C., M.P.
Prime Minister
on Terrorist Attack on the United States of America
LI~ September 2001
My fellow Jamaicans,
This is a time of mourning for all of us. The date September 11,
2001 will forever be etched in our minds and our hearts. This is
the day on which the horrible acts of terrorism were visited upon
American soil and the lives of so many innocent people - ordinary
folks going about their normal daily activities - were forever
changed. We all witnessed the senseless attacks against innocent
civilians, which have left us in a state of shock and bewilderment.
Jamaica roundly condemns these dastardly acts. Many sons and
daughters of Jamaica are numbered among the untold casualties
of these highly coordinated terrorist attacks.
At this moment the Jamaican people joins in grief with the
American people, and, on behalf of the Government and people of
Jamaica, I extend our profound condolences to those families that
have lost loved ones, or those injured. We share in the pain and
grief.
UWI LIBRARIES
It is known that many Jamaicans worked in the World Trade
Centre, but the task of identifying those who were killed will
remain a long and tedious process. I encourage those of you who
are missing loved ones to go to the designated areas in New York
and Washington D.C. to provide information on them. This will
assist the authorities in identifying persons, which will in turn
help you to properly grieve your loss and bring a close to the
tragedy. It is the uncertainty that gnaws at our heart.
Already Jamaican families have begun paying their final respects
to dearly departed ones. A number of public ecumenical services
and vigils in memory of those lives that were lost in the incident
have already been held and continue as the days go by.
(Anything in Jamaica?)
During this very difficult period, I have requested the Jamaican
Consul General in New York, and the Charge d'Affaires in
Washington D.C. to discuss with community leaders and others
the development of a programme of assistance to affected families.
At the same time, in order to obtain an accurate number of
Jamaicans who were directly affected, I encourage you to contact
UWI LIBRARIES
the Jamaican Consulate-General in New York and the Jamaican
Embassy in Washington D.C. to provide information on persons
whose whereabouts are still uncertain.
I encourage Jamaican community organizations, businesses and
individuals to assist in whatever way they can, and to work closely
with city officials and agencies, and also the Consulate-General, in
providing relief to those families who have been affected. The
recovery will be difficult, but there is strength in unity, and this
period requires each one of you to be strong, and to lend a helping
hand to those in need of support.
In the Book of Ecclesiastes we are reminded that for " everything
there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: a
time to weep ... a time to mourn ... a time to heal. .. and a time to
build up." Even as we condemn such inhuman acts directed
against all of us, let us rise even stronger from this ordeal and
rebuild and continue our search for peace for all mankind. Let us
be comforting in these very difficult days.
UWI LIBRARIES
