2001 Press Releases

U.S. and Turkmenistan Officials Commemorate Victims of September 11 Terrorist Attacks

Dec. 13, 2001

Ambassador Laura Kennedy and Chairman of Turkmenistan's Mejlis Rejepbay Arazov led a December 11 ceremony to commemorate victims of September 11 terrorist attacks. The ceremony commenced at 6:46 p.m., local time of the first attack, outside the U.S. Embassy chancery. The Marine Security Detachment lowered the American flag for a moment of silence, followed by the playing of both national anthems and brief remarks.

Also in attendance were President's Advisor on Humanitarian Aid Mukhamet Nazarov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Berdimurat Rejepov, Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashid Meredov and members of the Religious Council as well as heads of almost every diplomatic mission in country and a number of American citizens.

In her remarks, Ambassador Kennedy stated: "At this very moment, President Bush is leading a memorial in the United States while embassies and governments around the world are marking this day as well. This is our way of responding to those who last month told us that 'America should forget about September 11 and move on.' This is our way of saying that we will never forget, and we will move on only to bring those guilty to justice." Chairman Arazov denounced the terrorist attacks, urged success in the war against terrorism, and praised the joint cooperation of America and Turkmenistan in providing humanitarian aid to the Afghan people.