World Feels USA's Pain

Nations unite in mourning

By Anthony M. DeStefano | STAFF CORRESPONDENT

September 16, 2001

Bucharest, Romania - It was a sunny Friday here in the capital and Susan Johnson, the interim American ambassador, figured it was a good day to take a walk. She thought she would be inconspicuous. That was not the case.

People throughout the world are commemorating those who died in the United States terrorist attacks on Tuesday and, accompanied by a Newsday reporter and three plainclothes security men, Johnson, a slender woman in a dark-print dress, soon was recognized by many in the throng that packed the Piata Universitatii two days ago. They were there for a rare three minutes of silence that brought this Balkan nation to a standstill.

As Johnson approached the crowd, Vasile Gher asim, a city official, told her how sorry he was.

"I thank all of you people here," Johnson said, gazing at the thousands in the square that symbolizes those who died in the 1989 revolution, which overthrew decades of communist rule. Then, as if on cue, the crowd and city fell quiet as dozens of men and women walked past Johnson with wreaths and bouquets that they stacked against a memorial.

On the fringe of the crowd, a man in a gray suit held up a handmade sign that read, "Romanians are New Yorkers." Many in this country have emigrated to the United States - many to Queens and Manhattan - in recent years. The man, Ladilsau Veress, was overcome with emotion, his eyes watering. He was unable to speak when reporters asked him questions.

In Armenia yesterday, the traditional celebrations to welcome visiting leaders were canceled during a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russian television reported that the somber reaction was in honor of the victims of Tuesday's attacks. Russia observed a nationwide minute of silence called by Putin on Thursday, and he has spoken with President George W. Bush by phone since the attacks.

From Europe to the African continent, from North and South America, mourners reacted in solidarity with the victims of Tuesday's attacks. "I don't agree with all the American politics, but on Tuesday I felt like an American myself," said Bernard Durot, 35, a train driver who stood silently at a makeshift shrine across the street from the U.S. Embassy in Paris.

"The French have been so kind, and our hotel manager put a condolence letter under our door," said Sandra Stumberger, a retiree from Westport, Conn. "Now, we just want to be at home."

In Tel Aviv, Israel, thousands of people lit candles during a vigil in Rabin Square late yesterday. Around 75,000 people stood on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday to hear Prime Minister Jean Chretien tell a commemorative ceremony that Canadians felt themselves to be as one with those in the United States.

In Beijing, people phoned and e-mailed the U.S. Embassy with messages of sympathy and some laid flowers outside.

Special correspondent Vivienne Walt in Paris contributed to this story, which was supplemented with wire service reports.