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There have been the most terrible, shocking events taking place in the United States of America within the last hour or so, including two hi-jacked planes being flown deliberately into the World Trade Centre. I am afraid we can only imagine the terror and the carnage there and the many, many innocent people who will have lost their lives. I know that you would want to join with me in sending the deepest condolences to President Bush and to the American people on behalf of the British people at these terrible events. This mass terrorism is the new evil in our world today. It is perpetrated by fanatics who are utterly indifferent to the sanctity of human life and we, the democracies of this world, are going to have to come together to fight it together and eradicate this evil completely from our world.

Tony Blair#24

Foreign policyTerrorismTragedyUnity

About this quote

What does it mean?
Blair expresses horror at 9/11 and calls for global democratic unity against terrorism.
In plain terms
We must unite to fight this new evil and condemn the attacks.
What can you take from it?
Global crises require unified democratic action.

Where it applies

  • international crisis response
  • diplomatic statements
  • public grief

Putting it to work

  • drafting UN speeches
  • issuing press statements
  • coordinating allies

Questions to consider

  • What defines a united front against terror?
  • How do we balance security and liberty?

Another view

It generalizes all terrorists as fanatics without addressing root causes.

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