PROCLAMATION ON TERRORISM

The members of the IAPA, representing over 1,400 newspapers from all over North America, Latin America and the Caribbean extend our deepest sympathy to the citizens of New York, Washington, D. C., and throughout the United States over the tragic events of September 11. We have come to Washington at this time, for the 57th General Assembly of the organization, to express our support and resolve for this country in its determination to move beyond the hatred that the attacks of September 11 represents.

The vicious terrorist action was an attack not only on the people of the United States but on liberty and democracy in the entire world. Hundreds of citizens from almost every country in the Americas were killed, along with their U.S. colleagues as they worked side by side in the World Trade Center. The hearts of all persons, from northern Canada to the southern shores of Chile and Argentina, were broken by the murder of so many innocent people.

A free press is the foundation of a free society. Terrorism is a direct attack on all those important values by which we judge civilization. This assault is aimed directly at the vision of an open, tolerant society of discussion and debate.

The recent biological attacks on journalists underscore what is at stake. Terrorism must be fought on every front - whether in the United States, Colombia, Peru or the many other locations where it festers.

The unity that these attacks have prompted in the United States is extraordinarily admirable and inspiring.

In the words of IAPA's President Danilo Arbilla: "We have felt strongly that it was important that the free press of the Americas show our solidarity with the United States by being here in Washington at this time. We believe that the fight against terrorism will be successful and our members are determined to fight for peace and the protection of human values. The elimination of terrorism throughout the Americas is essential to allow democracy to grow."