ZAGREB, Sept 12 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic on Wednesday addressed the nation, a day after New York and Washington were targeted by terrorists, stressing the attacks affected "each and every one of us."
ZAGREB, Sept 12 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic on
Wednesday addressed the nation, a day after New York and Washington
were targeted by terrorists, stressing the attacks affected "each
and every one of us."#L#
"The world will no longer be the same after yesterday's terrorist
attacks on New York and Washington, nor will anything in the world
be the same again. After passenger planes turned into lethal
projectiles in the hands of hijackers, with hundreds of civilians,
together with pilots and other staff, being sent into death so that
thousands of other innocent people, who were at work, could be
killed, each country has to clearly and unambiguously define its
position on the international scene. Since yesterday, neutrality
no longer exists, nor can it exist any more. Since yesterday, there
is only one choice: us or them. I do not doubt that a large majority
of states will side with an anti-terrorist alliance which simply
must be formed. Certainly, the Republic of Croatia belongs to that
alliance," the Croatian president said.
Global terrorism must not be tolerated, Mesic stressed, adding
Croatia would in no case put its relations with any organisation,
country or a group of countries before the fight against
terrorism.
"We have reason to expect that, after the events in the United
States, the international community will show more determination
in engaging in world crises which are or could become the hotbeds of
global terrorism," Mesic said, expressing hope countries aiding
terrorists would become completely isolated.
"One thing should be clear: there is no political aim which could
justify terrorism. There is also no state or national interest
which could justify instigating or abetting in terrorism," Mesic
said, concluding that as of now all countries committed to freedom,
democracy and human rights had only one priority - fight against
global terrorism.
"In the war between terrorism and democracy, between order and
anarchy, I am confident order and democracy will win. Croatia will
be on the winner's side," the president said.
(hina) rml