| After terrorist attacks in America
Kamala Sarup
http://peacejournalism.com/
It was September 11, when till then unknown terrorists attacked the US, killing thousands of innocent people and causing great physical and mental damage among the people there. US President George W. Bush, wiping tears from his eyes, said: "Freedom itself was attacked and freedom will be defended. Many nations and many families have lived in the shadows of terrorism for decades - enduring years of mindless and merciless killing. September 11 was not the beginning of global terror, but it was the beginning of the world's concerted response. History will know that day not only as a day of tragedy, but as a day of decision - when the civilized world was stirred to anger and to action. And the terrorists will remember September 11 as the day their reckoning began.
After September 11, the world has changed. People from terrorized areas around the world began to think that if terrorists can attack the US, then how can we be safe too?
How are terrorists being well organized and how they are able to train people to be suicide bombers? Bush said, "This enemy attacked not just our people, but all freedom-loving people everywhere in the world. The United States of America will use all our resources to conquer this enemy. We will rally the world. We will be patient, we will be focused, and we will be steadfast in our determination. This battle will take time and resolve. But make no mistake about it: we will win."
After the terrorist attack on the US, television networks went gave 24-hour news coverage. How knife-wielding hijackers took over three planes and deliberately smashed them into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon near Washington. The fourth crashed in a field in Pennsylvania killing all 45 people on board after passengers fought the hijackers for control of the plane.
Calling the attacks the start of "the first war of the 21st Century," an emotional President
Bush said the United States and its allies were ready to "whip terrorism". After the attack, American people are saying US is strong. Terrorist acts cannot touch the foundation of America.
"Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, and our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts," Bush was speaking from the Oval Office. In New York, Mayor Rudi Giuliani said the situation around the devastated high-rise was "horrible and gruesome".
The White House and the U.S. military, particularly the Air Force, took precautions throughout the day to see that Air Force one was protected in its long flight with fighter escorts. When Air Force One arrived in Washington on Tuesday evening, it was escorted by two F-15 fighters and one F-16 fighter. Back in Washington the Secret Service implemented security checks on the streets near the White House and deployed snipers atop nearby buildings. A helicopter gunship was seen patrolling the airspace between the White House and Pentagon - an area that includes the National Mall.
"We are taking all precautions and are working to identify those responsible for these despicable attacks on the American people," Hughes said. "The federal government continues to function effectively."
The attack followed the catastrophic destruction of lower Manhattan's World Trade Center towers, both of which were struck by hijacked commercial aircraft. Thousands were feared dead in both locations.
"Parents need to reassure their children everywhere in our country that they're safe," Mrs. Bush said.
Secretary of State Colin Powell became the first senior U.S. official to publicly identify bin Laden as a suspect for the airplane attacks, which crumbled the 110-story World Trade Center towers and left 200 people either killed or unaccounted for at the Pentagon. Osama bin Laden is linked to many other organizations in different countries, including the Egyptian Islamic Jihad and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. There are thousands of these terrorists in more than 60 countries. They are recruited from their own nations and neighborhoods and brought to camps in places like Afghanistan, where they are trained in the tactics of terror.
Defense officials, sent military aircraft into the skies over Washington D.C. and seven other cities. Outside hospitals, desperate people clutching pictures of friends and loved ones gathered in hopes of locating some of those still missing. Buildings across the city were heavily guarded by security staff.
Tearful New Yorkers clutching pictures of missing friends and relatives roamed the streets.
Grieving relatives wandered the city's streets, holding up pictures of missing loved ones, pleading for information. Others posted photographs on lampposts and walls. Hundreds of emergency workers used everything from heavy machinery to their bare hands to dig through the wreckage while sniffer dogs searched the rubble.
Will the US be able |
