Ideology, religion, and politics, even depravation and righteous grievance, do not justify it. We love our country for its dedication to religious and political freedom, to economic opportunity, to respect for the rights of the individual. Resolute opposition to terrorism does not mean ignoring the conditions that foster it, be they ancient hatreds, poverty, inequality, or even the clash of civilizations, he said. Some may have the world believe that almighty God himself, the merciful, grants license to kill. But every river has a crossing place.
Terrorism is a global menace, which clearly calls for global action.
Noting that there has been a dramatic increase in attacks on UN personnel and humanitarian aid workers, Annan pointed out that regrettably the perpetrators of such acts are almost never brought to justice. But without money there can be no value. The secretary general also proposed that at the 55th assembly session, which will occur in the year 2000, he present a report outlining a set of workable objectives as the UN moves into the next century.