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Guest Commentary: September 20, 2001
States Who Arm and Abet Terrorists
Must Cease Their Deadly Trade
The Honorable Tom Lantos
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During the century just ended, Americans rose to the challenge to defeat international fascism and international communism. Meeting the challenge of international terrorism again demands all that we, as Americans, are capable of mustering.
First, we must close the wounds. As we speak, rescue teams are risking their lives to save the lives of those buried in the smoldering rubble. Now is the time for all Americans to extend their hands, their hearts and their prayers to the victims and to their families. We are a people of great compassion, and we must come together, as one nation, to help our fellow Americans in this hour of need.
Second, we must strengthen our defenses. We must take urgent steps to prevent such vicious acts of terror from ever being repeated. Yesterday's dastardly acts exposed our nation's vulnerabilities. To ensure the victims of this terror did not die in vain, we must prove to the perpetrators, and to the world at large, that America will emerge from this tragedy a stronger nation.
Third, justice must be done. We must marshal all our strength and all our intelligence to find and apprehend those who dare to perpetrate such an act of evil against the United States. We must punish the guilty - but we must not end there. We must strike back against terror to destroy the guilty, shatter their network, and confront the dictatorships which harbor them.
We are not alone in this struggle, and in this time of need, we turn to our friends and allies for assistance and cooperation. Americans will not forget those who support us now. And we will not forget those who do not.
It has long been the policy of the United States to consider those who harbor terrorists to be sponsors of terrorism. We must now implement this policy with new vigor. I call upon the Taliban leaders of Afghanistan to surrender Osama bin Laden and his terrorist gang for their just punishment. I call upon Yassir Arafat to put back in prison the terrorists he so unjustly released. I call upon Iran to stop supporting Hezbollah, which has left so much death and destruction in their wake. I call upon the leaders of Syria to close the headquarters of the terrorist groups that exist in Damascus. And I call upon Russia, China, North Korea, Iran and all states who arm and abet terrorists to cease their deadly trade.
Let us begin here and now by finding common voice, and expressing our nation's sense of indignation, sorrow and firm resolve. Let us demonstrate here and now the power of democracy.
As a survivor of the Holocaust, I have vowed never to forget that dark chapter in human history. [The September 11th] act of terror again reminds us of man's unlimited capacity for evil against his fellow man. This, too, we must never forget.
[On September 11th], the United States of America lost its innocence. But history will show that America found a new unity and new will to wage war against international terrorism. Let us begin to write that new history today.
Note: The above commentary has been adapted from a speech delivered by Rep. Lantos on the floor of the House, September 12, 2001.
 How to contact Rep. Tom Lantos (D-California)
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