Premier Alex Scott has called on the people of Bermuda to pull their thoughts away from Hurricane Fabian to remember those who lost their lives two years' ago in the September 11 terrorist attacks.

He said America and a number of other countries had been thrown into chaos at this time in 2001 when over 3,000 people were killed as a result of the plane hijackings and attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.

But he said families on the Island were also affected as Bermudians Boyd Gatton and Rhondelle Tankard also lost their lives at the World Trade Center, and their losses continued to have a major impact on their loved ones.

"The loss of life and the broader effects of this tragedy are still with us and will continue to be for some time," said Mr. Scott.

"Our thoughts, prayers and sympathies are with all of the families whose lives were forever altered by this tragedy.

"This is not a happy time for them and our deepest and most heartfelt sympathies extend to each of them.

"It is easy, given our own recent experience, to be consumed with our own sense of loss.

However, we are part of a global community and where one country suffers a loss that is our loss, as well.

"On behalf of the Government and people of Bermuda, I would like to extend our condolences and best wishes to the still-grieving families who will face this second anniversary and have to relive one of the darkest moments of their lives."

And he added: "It must be remembered that Bermuda was not unscathed in this tragedy. Members of our own community who had relatives and colleagues that worked in the World Trade Center buildings are also experiencing a sense of loss.

"Let us take a moment and say a quiet prayer for each of them."

US Consul General in Bermuda Denis Coleman yesterday released a statement that had been put out by the White House to commemorate the September 11 attacks.

It said: "Innocent citizens of 87 countries were killed in the attacks of September 11 - more than 3,000 men and women of every continent, culture, creed, race and religion.

"Citizens of countries from Antigua to Zimbabwe, including predominantly Muslim countries from Bangladesh and Yemen, died two years' ago. Bermuda, too, lost two of its own. Mothers were snatched from their daughters, and fathers from their sons. Couples were ripped apart, friends forever separated. New York lost part of its famous skyline, but not it's great spirit.

"As tragic and horrific as the attacks were to my fellow citizens, they changed more than America - they changed the world.

"The attacks' real impact lies beyond the pain suffered by the survivors and victims' families, beyond even the threat to security of the United States.

The attacks on 9/11 made us aware that terror threatens us all."