US: President Bush yesterday paid warm tribute to America's allies as he commemorated September 11th six months on.
And while he distanced himself from the unilateralism associated with his "axis of evil" comments, the US President very clearly set his sights on Iraq and appealed to allies to back the US.
Speaking in the shadow of 176 national flags, Ireland's included, on the lawn of the White House to a gathering of diplomats, officials, politicians and families of those killed, Mr Bush reiterated US determination to fight on to the finish against terrorism and the threat of weapons of mass destruction.
"Against such an enemy, there is no immunity, and there can be no neutrality," he warned.
In New York at Ground Zero, in Washington at the Pentagon, and in Pennsylvania, where one of the flights crashed, there were also commemorative ceremonies.
Mr Bush listed and praised the contribution made by all the US allies, from that of states which had enacted legislation to seize assets, to those 17 who had contributed militarily, and even with the lives of their soldiers - Australia, Germany, Denmark, Afghanistan and the US.
And he spoke of the countries where US troops will be or are assisting in the training of national forces to fight guerilla movements linked to al-Qaeda - the Philippines, Yemen and Georgia.
"September 11th was not the beginning of global terror, but it was the beginning of the world's concerted response," Mr Bush said.
"History will know that day not only as a day of tragedy, but as a day of decision; when the civilised world was stirred to anger and to action. And the terrorists will remember September 11th as the day their reckoning began."
But he was on more controversial ground as he merged the campaign against al-Qaeda into that against weapons of mass destruction. Although unspecific about means, and not even mentioning Iraq though it was clearly targeted, he promised that allies would be consulted.
And yet he made it clear the US would not be dissuaded from action by such consultation.
"Every nation in our coalition must take seriously the growing threat of terror on a catastrophic scale - terror armed with biological, chemical or nuclear weapons.
"America is now consulting with friends and allies about this greatest of dangers, and we're determined to confront it.
"Here is what we already know: some states that sponsor terror are seeking or already possess weapons of mass destruction; terrorist groups are hungry for these weapons, and would use them without a hint of conscience.
"And we know that these weapons, in the hands of terrorists, would unleash blackmail and genocide and chaos.
"These facts cannot be denied and must be confronted. In preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction, there is no margin for error, and no chance to learn from mistakes.
"Our coalition must act deliberately but inaction is not an option. Men with no respect for life must never be allowed to control the ultimate instruments of death."
Speaking at the ceremony several diplomats paid tribute to US leadership.
Instead of closing the 19-minute address with his standard, "God bless America", Mr Bush ended with: "God bless our coalition."
Prayers and a message from Mr Bush were read during the Ground Zero service. In New York the day of remembrance concluded last night with the ceremonial illumination of the "Tribute in Light" on a vacant lot next to the trade centre complex. It consists of two searchlights sending beams of light into the night sky.
