13 - 19 September 2001

Massacre in New York – the aftermath

The United States of America suffered on Tuesday the most infamous and cowardly act of aggression against its interests since the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbour in 1942, killing over 2,000, mostly servicemen.
Then, the enemy was known, visible in its actions, its culpability evident. Yet, on 11 September 2001, the enemy was nowhere to be seen. The enemy hit without warning, without any regard for human life. The only evidence left by a group of madmen was three collapsed buildings in the heart of America’s financial district, a smouldering Pentagon, the military’s nerve centre, and four commercial airliners totally destroyed. The real cost in human life cannot be calculated.
Tuesday’s attack was not just another terrorist attack. It goes beyond terrorism. The vicious attack on New York’s World Trade Centre and the Pentagon was nothing less than an act of war, as the US President said yesterday afternoon.
Neither the United States nor the rest of the world has ever witnessed an act of cowardice so terrible. Never has the United States looked so vulnerable. Never has democracy and freedom been threatened in such a manner. Tuesday’s terrorist act was the most serious ever recorded. Even the bombing of the Pan Am airliner over Lockerbie – carried out with the same disregard for innocent lives – pales in significance to what happened in New York and in Washington.
The first thoughts go out to those who died in the attacks. Although no one knows as yet how many perished, thousands are believed to be trapped underneath the rubble – thousands of innocent employees, firefighters and police officers who lost their lives. Around 50,000 employees worked in the World Trade Centre.
One cannot forget either the relatives of those who died. Those anguishing moments as media stations worldwide broadcast footage as the story unfolded must have been terrifying for them.
As rescue efforts continue in the hope that some will have survived the disaster, as barges continue to ferry the bodies of the deceased to makeshift morgues, US President George Bush and other world leaders must now be seriously examining the state of security in their respective countries. No amount of intelligence operations can ever close the lid on those hell bent on killing or maiming others. Yet, Tuesday’s attack revealed serious shortcomings in America’s security. For a few hours the US was brought to its knees. The repercussions of the attack, however, will linger for months. For the first time in decades, the people of the United States are feeling vulnerable and unsafe. For the first time in decades, the US is no longer seen as a Fortress of Power, a Bastion of Strength.

Repercussions

The repercussions of the attack will be felt not only in the US but across Europe and beyond. Tuesday’s massacre highlights the need to upgrade security at US airports. How four aircraft were hijacked in a 30-minute timeframe is incomprehensible. Yet, it happened. Tighter checks are required and a must if travellers are going to put their minds at rest. The negative effect on world tourism and world travel cannot be underestimated.
The impact of the attacks will not only re-ignite the debate on world security, but governments worldwide will be awaiting the effects these events will have on the world economy. Within minutes of the attack, share prices fell and the price of oil went up. The economic impact, in the light of the current state of affairs, will be tremendous. Insurance companies believe claims will be in excess of US$1.5bn. And even this is a low estimate. The real figure will undoubtedly be much higher. The US Fed and other Central Banks are doing everything possible to dampen the negative effects on the economy.
What happens over the coming days will depend on the US authorities identifying those who committed these despicable acts. The US people may be strongly tempted to hit back in retaliation but Mr Bush must be wary of making any false moves before the culprits are known. On the other hand, the US must not isolate itself from the world. Then terrorism would have had a major victory.