Five years after 9/11 & US Embassy Vienna response

Vienna, September 11, 2006

Dear American people:

five years after the September 11 attacks wich killed almost 3000 people, I'm filled with deep emotions. Tears are pouring out of my eyes and I'm speechless.

Yesterday I wished I could have been in America and morn with all of you. My heart goes out to all who lost their beloved ones in this tragic terrorist attack.
May our Heavenly Father in heaven console those souls who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, and also those left behind who will always be mourning.

May God always lead your President, the American people and protect the American men and women in uniform everywhere, and to ensure and to protect man's right, dignity and God's given freedom.

Sincerely,
Wolfgang Schawaller

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-----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----Von: KPerez [mailto:KPerez@usembassy.at] Gesendet: Freitag, 15. September 2006 16:23An: w.schaw@chello.atBetreff: thank you for your note

Dear Mr. Schawaller,

We at the American Embassy here in Vienna would like to thank you for your kind email commemorating the tragic events of September 11, 2001. The terrorists attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., shocked the conscience of the world and changed the American outlook on life for good.

The United States is working towards building a safer world to ensure that future generations will not have to relive the evil the world witnessed on September 11, 2001. In the words of Ambassador Susan R. McCaw: "freedom, democracy and humanity cannot be taken for granted; they must be cherished, preserved and defended."

I would like to extend to you our thanks and best wishes on behalf of the Ambassador.

Sincerely,

Katherine M. Perez
Assistant Public Affairs Officer
U.S. Embassy Vienna

Saddam Hussein sentenced to death

Vienna, November 2006

Dear Mrs. Perez, (US Embassy, Vienna)

I’m a private German citizen and I would like to comment on former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein who was yesterday sentenced to death by a special court for his role in a brutal crackdown in 1982 in the Shiite town of Dujail.

With him, his half-brother and former intelligence chief Barzan Hassan, and former chief judge of the Revolutionary Court Awad Bandar also were sentenced to death.
Most of Saddam Hussein crimes committed during his brutal leadership against his own people where not even "discussed" during the special court process.
Just 50 years ago in Germany, the International Military Tribunal in Nuremberg prosecuted prominent Nazi members of the political, military and economical leadership of Nazi Germany. Those responsible Nazi leaders were punished for war-crimes. That time 24 Nazi leaders were indicted and tried as war criminals and sentenced to death. Those responsible all committed crimes against humanity.

It is only 50 years ago and today, we, the free world witnessed the fall and the trial of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. I hope this gives a clear message to the still present dictators in our Today’s World, still committing crimes against humanity Saddam Hussein didn't deserve anything less, but the maximum penalty; the death sentence.

Generally speaking the EU is against the death penalty. Today in a press conference, the German chancellor Mrs. Merkel spoke out against the death penalty. I'm European and at the same time I’m German, but I exclude myself from my government viewpoint in cases of tyrants and dictators committing crimes and genocide against humanity.

Sincerely,
Wolfgang Schawaller