We in the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom from around the world are deeply shocked by the unbelievable acts of violence committed on 11 September in New York and Washington, causing the death of possibly thousands of persons and seriously injuring many more. We express our condolences to all those who have lost loved ones, colleagues and friends in this catastrophe.

Our sympathy and thoughts are with our US Section in this trying moment. We support their call for caution in responding to this horrendous act of violence and their rejection of vengeful actions.

We have been witnessing over the past few years a horrific increase in the use of violence around the world. The means being used are intensifying the effects and engulf an ever larger number of innocent citizens. After this shocking act of terror calls for revenge by US citizens may be a natural enough reaction to the sorrow, fear, anger and sense of insecurity they feel. But we in WILPF believe firmly that such a response will lead only to more acts of violence as experience has proved again and again. We live on a small planet and if we want to live in peace and security we have no choice but to learn to live together in a spirit of sharing and caring, of working in the common interest of all rather than in national interests relying on military competition.  A human tragedy of this magnitude requires international collaboration and support.  We have institutions, such as the United Nations, through which this can be done. Let us do it.