by Darrell Pace & Martin Debattista

A message accompanying a bouquet of flowers at the U.S. Embassy in Malta.

The, news of the terrorist attacks on the USA stunned Malta just like the rest of the world. Maltese people and leaders were shocked and reacted with disbelief to these unparallelled acts of violence on Tuesday September 11, 2001.

The government condemned the attacks early in the evening. The Opposition and virtually all political and non-governmental organisations had joined the wave of condemnation by the end of the evening. Meanwhile, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs rushed to ascertain whether any Maltese nationals fell victim to the attacks. A statement assuring the public that no Maltese were reported missing was released on Tuesday evening. A hotline for local relatives of persons living in or known to be in the United States at the time of the attacks was set up.

Malta announced that it was joining the European Union in declaring Friday as a national day of mourning on Wednesday. Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami made the announcement following an ad hoc press conference in the evening over the violent incidents at the Malta Drydocks earlier in the day.

Meanwhile, the Bishops of Malta condemned the terrorist attacks on the United States. Archbishop Guzeppi Mercieca, the Bishop of Gozo Nikol Cauchi and Auxiliary Bishop Annetto Depasquale expressed their sadness and their solidarity with the victims and their families. They urged the Maltese faithful to join them in prayer so that humanity stops to reflect on how it could contain violence and at the same time find new paths towards solidarity, peace and justice in the world.

Flowers sent to the U.S. Embassy in Floriana, Malta

The President of Malta Guido de Marco sent a letter to American President George W. Bush to express his grief and condolences. "I voice the feelings of the Maltese Government and people in expressing my deep shock and sorrow at the dramatic events which unfolded yesterday in New York City, in Washington D.C., and near Pittsburgh. Together with the free peoples of the world, we condemn without reservations these dastardly acts of terror that hit at the heart of our shared fundamental belief in the values of civilisation. We are in no doubt that your country will overcome these trying times. In this moment of grief, our thoughts are with the deceased, the injured and their families. In standing side by side with the American people, I convey the sincere condolences and support of the Maltese Government and people," President de Marco said in his letter.

Hundreds of flower bouquets started flowing to the U.S. embassy in Floriana on Thursday. The front door of the building housing the embassy at St. Anne Street was transformed into a small shrine for the victims of the tragedy. Touching messages accompanied most of those bouquets.

The Maltese people woke up on Friday to find flags at half masts in memory of the thousands of innocent people that perished last Tuesday during the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.

Joining all other European countries, a three-minute silence was observed at noon local time, with retail outlets shutting down their doors temporarily and places of work and entertainment grinding to a halt. Maltese radio and television stations, just like all European broadcasting media, suspended their normal schedule of programmes during this time.

Maltese President Guido de Marco and U.S. Ambassador to Malta Anthony H. Gioia, members of the cabinet and Archbishop Joseph Mercieca, amongst others on Friday met at the Presidential Palace in Valletta and observed the 3-minute silence together at noon.

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar postponed his working visit to Malta on the 18th September as a result of the international situation after the attacks.

Hundreds took part a World Peace Vigil organised later in the evening at the Millennium Chapel, Paceville, to pray for the victims of the terror attacks.

Parliament observed a minute of silence in remembrance of the victims of the terrorist attacks on the United States last week when it reconvened on Monday.

The parliament was meeting for the first time following the summer recess. Following the one-minute silence, at 9.30 CET the chamber was addressed by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition.

Prime Minister Fenech Adami said that the Maltese people have been shocked by the brutality of the attacks. Leader of the Opposition Alfred Sant urged the government not to support any retaliatory action by the United States that could lead further loss of life amongst innocent civilians.

Maltese tourists return safely from NYC Audio interview with Reggie Schembri who was on holiday in New York City during the attack From MaltaMedia's Wara l-Ahbar [in Maltese] Produced by Martin Debattista, Darrell Pace & Toni Sant Originally broadcast on Monday, 17th September 2001 Interviewer: Martin Debattista Maltese missionary priest shares experience Audio commentary by Rev. Ivan Sciberras who works at Ridgewood, New Jersey, hometown to 10 men reported missing since the WTC collapse Communicated to MaltaMedia by telephone on Monday, 17th September 2001 [in Maltese] The rescue efforts in NYC Malta's Civil Protection Department Director Peter Cordina talks about the rescue efforts in New York from a veteran's rescuer's perspective. Communicated to MaltaMedia by telephone on Monday, 24th September 2001 [in Maltese] Interviewer: Martin Debattista

Updates from the scenes of the attacks and the ongoing investigations
 

Timeline of the tragedy

Detailed moment-by-moment of the devastating attacks and their aftermath
 

Terrorism against the USA

A list of the major terrorist attacks against the United States in recent years.
 

Toni Sant reports from New York City on the World Trade Center terrorist attack First reaction & comments: 48 hours after the attacks: Friday 7pm - candle vigil: Beyond the emotional spectrum: Arabs are not the enemy: Getting back to normal routine: After seven strange days: The hour is coming: Casualty of Maltese descent: Striking back at terror: Rash of anthrax scares:   To hear the webcasts   on this page you need

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