THE GOVERNMENT and people of Guyana will today join the  government and people of the United States of America in reflecting on that unprecedented, horrendous human tragedy 10 years ago when terrorists carried out their mind-boggling attacks, now etched in the memories of nations across the world as the infamous ‘9/11 tragedy’.
Guyana’s solidarity in mourning the horrific loss of some 3,000 lives would transcend the bitter reality that scores of Guyanese and other citizens of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) were among the victims of those terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York and the Pentagon in Washington.
The USA, after all, irrespective of occasional differences that may occur among friendly and democratic states, remains the most vital partner in the search for imaginative solutions to the numerous social, economic, cultural and political problems and challenges facing nations of the global community.
Guyana, with its own quota of citizens numbered among the very large bloc of thousands of immigrants (estimated at over two million by some reckoning), considers itself among that partnership for human development.   
Yesterday, in his weekly national address, President Barack Obama made a stirring appeal to the American people for unity across political boundaries to more effectively overcome the challenges that continue to emerge from America’s “enemies.”
In reference to the terrorist strikes, the President noted: “They wanted to deprive us of the unity that defines us as a people. but we will not succumb to division or suspicion… Yes, we face a determined foe, and make no mistake, they will keep trying to hit us again. But, as we are showing again this weekend, we remain vigilant. We are doing everything in power to protect our people…”  
There is no doubting that admirable resolve of the American people. For their part, Guyanese would know from their own experiences the great value of unity in the face of either natural or man-made disasters.
At this time when there are mounting fears over the spreading bloody conflicts in various regions of the world, we can only hope that good sense will prevail for a concerted shift from seeking change through terroristic warfare to that of enlightened, peaceful dialogue, with mutual respect for sovereignty and fundamental rights.
Terrorism offers no practical solutions to nation-building, or fostering international peace and development. On this 10th ‘9/11 anniversary’, therefore, we urge that progress through peace and mutual respect be the guiding philosophy for ALL nations, great and small, rich and poor.