The fifteenth commemoration of the horrific 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States is being overshadowed by the standoff between supporters of legislation that passed in the House on Friday – the bill that would allow families of those who died in the 9/11 carnage to sue the government of Saudi Arabia in US courts – and those who argue that while emotionally appealing, the bill would wreak havoc on the norms of diplomacy. The “Justice against Sponsors of Terrorism” bill was passed unanimously by the Senate last May and will now go to President Obama for signature. But the president, who has threatened to veto the measure, has the support of many former government officials and diplomats who argue that the bill will set up Americans for painful quid pro quos in other countries and be destructive of diplomatic norms such as the institution of sovereign immunity. The bill is not written specifically as a 9/11 retaliatory measure, but would allow legal action against any government that commits terror attacks against US citizens on US soil.
Management and Staff of The Media Line remember with honor those who were killed or wounded in September 11, 2001 attacks.