Minister says shock of September attack remains after three months

A ceremony to commemorate the terrorist attacks on the US three months ago was attended by representatives of the Irish and US governments, as well as ambassadors to Ireland from 36 countries. The event took place in the US embassy in Ballsbridge, Dublin, yesterday afternoon.

Some of the ambassadors sang along as 30 members of the Gospel Choir of Kilkenny, dressed in purple and yellow robes, performed Amazing Grace and Steal Away. The multi-denominational choir, led by Father Willie Purcell, has members from almost every county in Ireland, as well as seven asylum-seekers.

At the exact moment the first aircraft struck the World Trade Centre - 1.46 p.m. Irish time - the Irish Army band played the Irish national anthem, followed by the US anthem. A minute's silence was then held for the victims of the attacks.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, representing the Government, said the outpouring of sympathy and support from Irish citizens for the American people in a time of crisis was to be expected. "The ties between our two countries are ties of flesh and blood," he said.

He said the shock felt at the events of September 11th remained three months on because the values of Irish and American people had been "gravely offended" by the "depraved slaughter" on that day.

"What has grown over these three months is the realisation of the true extent of the loss in real human terms as the stories of the victims and their families have been told."

Mr Cowen said he had visited Ground Zero and was impressed with the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity "which is the better part of the American and Irish way of life".

"Today we commemorate all those, from so many countries around the globe, including our own, who lost their lives in New York, Washington and Philadelphia, and we express again our deepest sympathy to their families and loved ones," he said.

The US ambassador, Mr Richard Egan, who presented his credentials to the President, Mrs McAleese, just one day before the attacks on New York and Washington, thanked Mr Cowen for his support.

Mr Egan said he doubted if anyone would ever forget "that terrible day" but he had hope for the future. "Since then I've heard it said many times that good may come out of all this, and I believe that," he said.

He said he prayed that all involved in the "war on terrorism" would see it through to its conclusion and, in so doing, "make the world a better place."

He said the solidarity expressed by the presence at the ceremony of representatives of many of the 80 countries which lost citizens on September 11th was encouraging.

The 36 ambassadors to Ireland were led by the dean of the diplomatic corps, the State's Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto.

Similar ceremonies were conducted at US embassies across the world yesterday after President Bush called on Americans and their supporters to send "a clear signal to the terrorists".