Green Party Response To Ministerial Statement On The Tragedy In The United States
By Green co-leader Rod Donald

The Green Party joins with other parties in this House in expressing our horror and outrage at the terrorist acts which occurred in the United States a few hours ago.

We also join with the Green Party of the United States in condemning the violent attacks and mass murder at the World Trade Centre, the Pentagon, and near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Our hearts go out to all the people who have had their lives, their families and their friendships destroyed by these brutal acts of terrorism.

Whoever and whatever group is behind today's attacks have earned the revulsion and condemnation of the world, and have set back whatever cause they hoped to advance. We stand and grieve with all Americans, with the other nations directly affected and with all the peaceful people of the world.

Today we have witnessed a human tragedy of enormous proportions. This undeclared war also challenges our democratic foundations. The fact that it occurred on the United Nations International Day of Peace reinforces the perpetrators' callous disregard for the sanctity of life.

No matter how just your cause, no matter how strongly you hold your beliefs no one could justify what has happened today.

Neither can this attack justify indiscriminate retaliation. Even when the perpetrators are identified, and they must be punished, we would urge restraint and insist that a rash and violent response will only increase the loss of life, especially of the innocent. We agree with other speakers that we should not buckle to terrorism but neither should we sacrifice more innocent lives in retribution.

Today is a turning point for humankind. We dedicate ourselves to peaceful solutions to the challenges before us.

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