VATICAN CITY, SEP 13, 2001 (VIS) - Made public today was the following declaration, dated September 12, of the Islamic-Catholic Liaison Committee regarding Tuesday's attack on the United States. It is signed by Dr. Hamid Ahmad Al-Rifaie, president of the International Islamic Forum for Dialogue, and by Bishop Michael L. Fitzgerald, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue:

"As Secretaries of the Committee, speaking in its name, we condemn the horrifying acts of terrorism committed on September 11 in the U.S.A. We express our great sorrow at the number of victims and we offer our condolences to their families.

"Such acts of violence are not the way to bring peace to the world. As religious leaders we wish to emphasize that the true basis for peace is justice and mutual respect."

From Vatican Information Service, September 13, 2001