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The Herald, September 13, 2001 

PRESIDENT Mugabe yesterday sent a condolence message to United States President Mr George W. Bush following terrorist attacks in Washington and New York in which thousands of people are feared dead. 

Cde Mugabe said he had learnt with “a deep sense of shock, horror and utter disbelief of the ghastly attacks”. 

He said the attacks appeared to be the actions of what could be the most remorseless and hardened enemies of the US government, its people and all the peace-loving people of the world. 

“My Government, the people of Zimbabwe and I personally share the shock, anger and anguish of your government, citizens of the United States, (at home and abroad), the families of the injured and the deceased and your own anguish and heavy sense of responsibility, Mr President, as you contemplate what requires to be done,” said Cde Mugabe. 

He said the Government was joining the world in wishing the American people courage and wisdom as they pass through the difficult period. 

MDC president Mr Morgan Tsvangirai called the attack an act of “madness”. 

Mr Tsvangirai said: “We extend our condolences to the families of the victims of this madness. We send our prayers to them and ask that they be brave as they try to come to terms with this tragedy which has shocked the conscience of mankind.” 

Security has been tightened at the US Embassy in Harare and its information centre. 

Embassy spokesman Mr Bruce Wharton said business was going on as usual, but amid tight security. 

“It is improper for us to reveal the precautions that we have put in place, but all I can say is that we have not shut our offices because of the attack,” said Mr Wharton. 

In August 1998, similar attacks were made on US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania when car bombs exploded near the embassies killing 80 people and injuring thousands others. 

It could not be established last night whether there were any missing Zimbabweans following the attacks in the US. 

LESSONS FOR TODAY 

Last Saturday marked the 20th anniversary and memorial of the terrorist attacks in the US, when members of the Osama bin Laden-led al-Qaeda, hijacked four planes and suicide bombed select targets, including the World Trade Centre’s twin towers and the Pentagon. 

Six Zimbabweans were among the 2 996 peopled killed in the attacks, while thousands others were injured. The deceased and injured were from 78 nations.  

Due to the diplomatic relations between Zimbabwe and the US, President Mugabe sent a message of condolence, condemning the terrorist activities in the strongest terms.  

Addressing the nation on September 11, 2001 President Bush said: “Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.” 

Also signalling the start of the “war on terror” Bush added: “We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbour them.” Weeks later, the US and its allies invaded Afghanistan. Osama bin Laden was killed a decade later in Pakistan.  

President Mnangagwa warned in April: “Insurgencies are threatening to slow down and reverse our collective efforts to achieve the aspirations outlined in the United Nations SDGs, the African Union Agenda 2063 and within SADC . . . on all of us. United we stand. Hence, we cannot sit back and allow acts of insurgency to continue without a robust regional response.”