In a message of defiance directed at international terrorists, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, said, during a special debate at the United Nations: "You do not act for us, the people of the free world." He told the General Assembly yesterday that it was time for "action and not words" by UN member-states.
"International terrorism must be denied the means and the opportunity to launch attacks in pursuit of any cause or perceived grievance. There can be no exceptions." This task required firm resolve, with total commitment by governments and the widest cooperation between them.
The terrorist threat must be confronted on three levels, the Minister said. Firstly, UN member-states had to do their utmost to bring to justice the perpetrators, organisers and sponsors of the attacks of September 11th and to prevent further attacks.
"Secondly, we must combine in a longer-term initiative to defeat the monster of international terrorism: by choking off its funds, by cutting its supply of munitions and technical support, and by denying it the bases from which it plans and prepares its actions."
"Thirdly, we must redouble our efforts to put an end to the many conflicts and injustices which, while they can never, ever justify the horrors of September 11th, are exploited by the terrorists to garner support for their warped philosophies."
The emergency services had set an example with their response to the attacks of September 11th: "Let those images and those stories of bravery and heroism in the face of the most awful terror, stand as a constant reminder that we, members of this assembly, have our own duty to perform, to ensure that terrorists will find no welcome in any part of the globe. That duty is about action and not words."
The Security Council had acknowledged the US right of self-defence in accordance with the UN Charter. "Who can reasonably argue that the US does not have the right to defend itself, in a targeted and proportionate manner, by bringing to justice those who planned, perpetrated and assisted in these outrages and who continue to threaten international peace and security?"
Ireland was cooperating in police investigations and allowing access to its airspace and airports as part of the collective effort. "Ireland is not a member of a military alliance but Ireland is not neutral in the struggle against international terrorism."
At the level of legal action, all governments - "my own Government included" - must move quickly to ratify and implement the various international conventions against terrorism. In its role as this month's president of the Security Council, Ireland strongly welcomed the comprehensive anti-terrorism resolution adopted by the council at the weekend and would do all in its power to ensure that the committee to monitor the implementation of Resolution 1373 was operational as soon as possible.
Out of all the wreckage and destruction, the UN must seek to rebuild its moral authority: "We must begin by leading the fight against international terrorism. The Irish Government and our delegation in New York stand ready to work throughout our presidency of the Security Council and beyond to meet this challenge. This will not be a short or an easy struggle, but for our sake and the sake of succeeding generations, it is one in which we simply must prevail."
The full text of Mr Cowen's speech is available on The Irish Times website www.ireland.com