All over the world people mourned the terrible loss of life as a result of the terrorist attacks in the United States. There was anger – terrible anger. There was sorrow – profound sorrow. There was fear – the fear which accompanies all those who do not know what comes next.

People mourned for the dead and for those whose lives must continue without them. They mourned for others; they mourned for themselves. Most importantly, perhaps, they mourned the loss of innocence.

A consensus has been expressed that nothing will remain the same. But who can adequately express why this is the case or how it will change? Why can’t we do so? Is it because a climate is being created which does not permit us to do so?

A climate of war hysteria is being fostered. It does not permit people to grieve or work out how to turn their loss into strength. It is imposing conclusions which nobody wants.

It is now clear that nobody is safe so long as hooliganism is allowed to prevail. Will people now draw the conclusion that never again can they remain aloof and let others decide for them what will happen next? Is this the innocence the world has lost?

The loss of innocence must be used to draw the warranted conclusions. People must come forward to have their say on what comes next. They must participate in setting the agenda for society and working for its implementation. They must make sure that no harm can come to our brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, either within our societies or anywhere in the world.

Let us turn our grief into collective strength. Let us mourn the loss of innocence by taking a bold step together in defence of the rights of all!

No to the use of force in settling conflicts amongst peoples, between peoples and between nations! No to imperialist war! End the imperialist reign of terror against the peoples of the world!