Uniting against terrorism.

• Author: Conaway, Janelle
• Position: OAS

Ten days after terrorists attacked targets in the United States, foreign ministers from around the Hemisphere met in the Hall of the Americas to repudiate the attacks and strengthen their efforts against terrorism.

"Individually and collectively," they declared, "we will deny terrorist groups the capacity to operate in this Hemisphere. This American family stands united."

U.S. secretary of state Colin Powell pointed out that the nations were united not only in their resolve, their values, and interests, but also in their sorrow, as twenty-nine OAS member countries lost citizens in the attacks. "Families mourn from one end of this Hemisphere to the other," he said.

When terrorists attacked on September 11, Powell was attending an OAS General Assembly meeting in Peru, held to adopt the Inter-American Democratic Charter. At the September 21 meeting, he recalled the events of that morning and said the tragedy had given the thirty-four democracies a new realization that they must stand together.

"With sudden clarity, we all understood that the house of democracy and prosperity that we have all worked so hard to build for our Hemisphere was under attack and must be defended," Powell said, adding that "the great strength that comes from solidarity" would be critical to confront the crisis. Powell said the countries of the Americas were demonstrating their clear determination to "act together against this international scourge" by adopting resolutions designed to enhance cooperation against terrorism.

"Now, the long, hard work must be done," Powell said. "Now, our governments, our law enforcement authorities, and our civic institutions must find ways to work together at all levels and more cooperatively than ever before, exchanging life-saving information, coordinating our activities. Now, individually and collectively, we must take concrete steps to tighten border controls, enhance air- and seaport security, improve financial controls, and increase the effectiveness of our counter-terrorism forces."

Calling the attacks a threat to the Hemisphere's security, Secretary General Cesar Gaviria said the countries of the Americas must act in unity against terrorism. "Our governments will not hesitate to do whatever is necessary to bring to justice the perpetrators, organizers, and sponsors, and to punish them with the full weight of the law," Gaviria said. "Impunity is not an option."

This was the first time in more than a decade that the OAS member...