[Press Release: September, 2001]

GREENS OFFER CONDOLENCES TO U.S. AFTER TUESDAY’S TRAGEDY


The Green Party has offered its sincere condolences to the American people after last Tuesday’s terrorist attack in New York and Washington. “The sheer scale of the human suffering caused by these attacks is hard to comprehend” says Green Party councillor and psychologist, Deirdre de Burca. “Many of us have relatives and friends in New York and Washington, but even for those of us who don’t, the effect of these attacks on people all around the world has been profound”.

Following last Tuesday’s horrific events, commentators have observed that our world has changed fundamentally and that nothing will ever be the same again. Councillor de Burca feels that the greatest change which has occurred is that people have now become aware of their vulnerability to the violence of terrorist attacks. She points out however that last Tuesday’s events have highlighted the strength of the human spirit in situations of adversity and the power of people when they unite in support and solidarity with one another. She refers in particular to the bravery and selflessness of the firemen and police officers in New York who met their deaths trying to save the lives of others.

“We are overwhelmed at the moment at the enormity of what has happened” says councillor de Burca. “None of us ever expected to see the Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre come crashing down in the way that they did. The symbolism of that event was huge and has brought home for many people the impermanence of everything – even structures as vast and impressive as the World Trade Centre”. She believes that at times of crisis such as this people often examine their basic values and deepen their commitment to their particular religious and spiritual belief systems.

“As a Green Party councillor and as someone who has a deep interest in global politics, this event raises many important questions for me” she adds. “Last Tuesday’s tragedy, and our response to it, makes us realize that we are a very interconnected global community, and that what happens in one part of the world has a direct bearing on people living thousands of miles away.” Councillor de Burca believes that the areas of international co-operation, international law and human rights are becoming more and more important to the global community that is emerging. “It is very important that individual countries do not see themselves as acting alone or in isolation on the world stage, but rather that they co-operate with one another to solve the new challenges facing the world’s population - challenges such as curbing the arms trade, negotiating peaceful solutions to regional conflicts and tackling global warming.”

For further information please contact Deirdre de Burca on 086 8061450 or email deburca@wicklowgreens.org.