US Marks Month of Trauma

Americans yesterday marked one month after the terror attacks on the US with nationwide tributes.

The BBC reported that President George W Bush was to make a speech at a memorial service at the Pentagon.

In New York, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani hailed 11 October as a turning point. The courage of New Yorkers, he said, was seeing them and their city through.

More than 5,000 people are believed to have died when the World Trade Center collapsed after being hit by two hijacked airliners.

In Rome, Italian government officials joined US and other diplomats for a memorial mass at the St John in Lateran Basilica.

In Britain, more than 3,000 firefighters honoured their US counterparts who died in the attack on the World Trade Center with a commemoration service at St Paul's Cathedral, London.

The BBC's Washington Correspondent Paul Reynolds says that a month on from the attacks, Mr Bush has surprised his critics, although not his supporters. He has done this by responding to the shock of his fellow citizens with a common touch, by assembling an international coalition with skill and mounting a military campaign with care.

His approval rating is about 90%.

Meanwhile, recovery teams are still working around the clock to clear wreckage from the site of the World Trade Center.

Although 200,000 tons of debris have been cleared, long and dangerous work still lies ahead. Only 438 bodies have been recovered. New Yorkers are already discussing what should replace the twin towers. All agree there should be some form of memorial.

Some say they should rebuild - bigger and taller in defiance of those who attacked their city.

A three-day art exhibition and auction dubbed, "Statue of Liberty. I'm still standing", at the National Theatre in Accra, coincides with the commemoration of the event. Sixty percent of the proceeds are to go to a charitable cause in the name of the victims of the September 11 tragedy.

The American Ambassador to Ghana, Ms. Nancy Powell, said the Statue of Liberty has stood in New York harbour for 125 years, a gift of the French people for America's 100th birthday. "Her lamp was intended as a symbol of welcome for the millions from all over the world who came and still come to America in search of a better future. But it has become much more it is a beacon of hope and determination that all mankind might share in the blessings of liberty wherever they might live.

"Those who attacked New York and Washington sought to extinguish that light. They have been foiled. Our celebration of talent and spirit tonight is but one example of the worldwide determination that the light of freedom will continue to shine in all corners of the world."

The exhibition was organised by the American Chamber of Commerce and National Theatre. Sponsors included Asafo Gallery, Traffix Restaurant, Ghana Dance Ensemble, Graphic Showbiz, The Mirror, Joy FM and The Accra Mail.

The Ghana Dance Ensemble under the direction of Nii Yartey, put up a moving performance in the African style of mourning and celebrating the spirit.

The first day of the auction fetched over ?50 million.