Congress closes early.

THIRD DAY: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 PRIVATE

MORNING SESSION

Congress reassembled at 9.30 a.m.

ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

The President: Congress, we have all been deeply shocked by the horrendous events of the last 18 hours.

Appalling acts of terrorism have taken a desperate toll in human life and, indeed, inflicted suffering.

These horrific outrages have been directed at the American nation and the American people. But let there be no doubt, they represent a fundamental assault on democracy and democratic values throughout the world.

The grief of the American people must be our grief, and their determination to uphold democratic values in the face of this assault must be our determination.

Our unequivocal support for the Prime Minister in his response to this crisis has been communicated to him.

Our solidarity and support for the American people have been communicated as well to the American Ambassador and to the President of the AFL-CIO, John Sweeney. It is inevitable that many, many trade unionists will be amongst the victims of this outrage. From press reports we know that a number of fire fighters and police officers, all of whom we assume are trade unionists, are missing.

Our thoughts are with Joe and Alva Greene, who have been with us this week on behalf of the American trade union Movement. Joe, you will recall, addressed Congress on Monday.

Congress, I think we have all been reflecting overnight on these terrible events. We have reflected on what should be the appropriate response from this Congress. The General Secretary and myself have taken careful soundings with many colleagues and, indeed, some of the soundings that we have taken were initiated by delegation leaders. We have also consulted the Congress General Purposes Committee and, of course, the General Council this morning.

It has become clear to me and, indeed, to others that from the contacts we have had, there is a widespread feeling that it would not be appropriate to continue with our proceedings in their present form.

Our thoughts are overwhelmingly with the victims and their families. The full toll of those who are dead and injured will take many days to establish, and I am clear that many, many delegates feel that it would not be fitting, nor show our respect, simply to continue with our business as usual and it would not, in our view, be the right message that we want to convey.

So, as a statement of our solidarity, I wish to propose to Congress that we should conclude our business in a dignified and orderly fashion and draw Congress to a close in that spirit.

Specifically, I am propose to Congress a number of measures. They are as follows:

* Firstly, we invite Congress to adopt the Scrutineers' Report containing the ballot results, which has been circulated to delegates in written form.

* Secondly, we invite Congress formally to adopt the General Council's Report, including the statements on Europe and public services.

* Thirdly, we ask Congress to support the proposition that all outstanding motions, composite motions and emergency motions should be remitted to the General Council. These would be fully considered formally by the General Council with a commitment that the General Council's response on each motion would be communicated to all unions as a supplementary report.

Congress, we are well aware that this is an unusual procedure but I think it is the appropriate course in these extraordinarily difficult circumstances.

I, therefore, put these proposals to you with the full support of the Congress General Purposes Committee and the General Council, and I invite you to accept these proposals.

I ask Congress to agree to the proposals outlined in this statement? (Agreed) Thank you, Congress.

I inform members of the General Council that there will be a meeting immediately following this session of Congress.

Colleagues, at the start of this Congress we held a minute's silence for world peace and to remember all trade union colleagues who have died.

Delegates, in the light of yesterday's events, I want to ask you now to stand and to observe a minute's silence to re-commit ourselves to the cause of world peace and to remember all of those who have lost their lives, or members of their families, in the terrible events of yesterday.

Delegates, would you please stand.

(Congress stood in silent tribute)

Thank you, colleagues.

Delegates, I now formally declare the 133rd Congress duly closed.

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