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Note: This document is from the archive of the Africa Policy E-Journal, published
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Africa Action: Message to Friends
Africa Action: Message to Friends
Date distributed (ymd): 010912
APIC Document
Africa Policy Electronic Distribution List: an information
service provided by AFRICA ACTION (incorporating the Africa
Policy Information Center, The Africa Fund, and the American
Committee on Africa). Find more information for action for
Africa at http://www.africapolicy.org
Africa Action
Message to Friends
September 12, 2001
As many of you know, our New York office is only blocks away from
the World Trade Center. Fortunately, only one staff member was in
the office at the time of yesterday's attacks. She escaped to
safety over several hours yesterday. In Washington, our office is
just across from the Capitol, and that office was evacuated
yesterday morning. A relative of one staff member is still missing
and presumed dead.
We do not yet know when or even if the office building in which our
New York office is located will be reopened. We expect our
Washington office to be open tomorrow. Our work will continue.
We thank those of you who have sent messages of concern, and
apologize for not having been able to respond sooner.
We condemn these attacks that have killed thousands of people, as
we condemned the attacks in 1998 against Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.
We hold responsible those who were involved in and knew of these
acts. The most immediate priority for all who can is to provide
assistance to those most hurt and address the direct pain of loss
affecting millions more. This murderous attack has brought home to
all in this country the vulnerability of human life that we share
with others around the world.
These acts by as yet unknown assailants reflect the same
indifference to human life and the same devastation that many
millions of people are facing throughout the world, through
deliberate acts of terrorism as well as through the refusal to
address entrenched inequities and unresolved conflicts.
We are also anxious that the political leaders of this country
prove capable of choosing the right measures in response to this
tragedy. In the short term, public debate will inevitably focus on
security measures, identification of those responsible, and
possible retaliation. In the long run, human security in both the
U.S. and elsewhere in the world must be addressed not only by
defeating organized terrorist groups, but also by seeking solutions
to the conflicts and structural injustices that provide fertile
ground for terrorism. The quest for greater security for the U.S.
must also be one that seeks to promote security for others.
The struggle for a better world, with security for all, will
continue. We are together with you in that struggle.
Salih Booker
Executive Director
Africa Action
This material is distributed by Africa Action (incorporating the
Africa Policy Information Center, The Africa Fund, and the
American Committee on Africa). Africa Action's information
services provide accessible information and analysis in order to
promote U.S. and international policies toward Africa that advance
economic, political and social justice and the full spectrum of
human rights.
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