The talk coming out of the United Kingdom should be focused on three things: debt relief for developing countries, global climate change and London’s success in its bid to host the 2012 Olympic games.

Instead, there is tragedy, death and destruction.

Just as Great Britain stood beside the United States in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks, the United States will stand beside Great Britain as the country copes with a violent terrorist attack on the country’s capital city, London.

Details of the assault are still being sorted out, but early estimates say 40 people were killed – with the toll likely to grow – and hundreds more injured when a series of explosions rocked London’s public transportation system during Thursday morning’s commute. Buses and subway trains were targeted as people went about their everyday lives.

An organization claiming ties to al-Qaida took responsibility for the attack on a militant Web site, but it’s too early to identify those responsible.

Their intent, however, is easy to discern. They seek to destroy, to kill and to maim. Their hope is to instill fear and uncertainty, to force capitulation to their demands by targeting civilians riding a bus to work or school.

The terrorists have no capacity to build and can inspire others only to seek death, as murderers and suicide bombers. They are intolerant and oppressive killers, bent upon establishing a fascist, dictatorial order.

But they will never succeed. Like a child playing with matches, they have the potential to do great damage and cause tremendous sadness, but they cannot win. What they tear down, the societies of the free world will rebuild.

We mourn today for those who have been killed, and offer our hand for those who have survived and to their country. Great Britain has been, and remains, the United States’ closest ally, and that relationship is only strengthened by adversity.

London has been aflame at the hands of its enemies before. During and after the Battle of Britain in 1940, London survived The Blitz of Nazi Germany as Great Britain stood virtually alone against the onslaught of fascism. London was attacked 19 times by the Nazi war machine and felt the fury of 18,000 tons of bombs. Yet, just three years after the end of the war, London rallied to host the 1948 Olympics.

More recently, London has felt the sting of terrorism. The Irish Republican Army carried out bombings attacks against England, targeting then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, the British Cabinet and the heart of London itself. Hundreds were injured, scores were killed, but the country survived, moved forward and eventually returned to peace.

Early speculation has tied the coordinated attacks to the opening of the G-8 summit, which convened Wednesday in Gleneagles, Scotland. Despite increased security as the leaders of the world’s largest economies, including President Bush, gathered to discuss a broad agenda of foreign aid and the environment, terrorists were able to succeed. Even with Great Britain’s experience against the IRA and heightened security, the threat could not be eliminated.

While it’s important to remain vigilant, it’s also important to be realistic. No amount of security, preparation and foresight can prevent every possible scenario. As terrorism experts have said time and again, it really wasn’t a question of if, but when an attack would succeed. London and its residents have borne the burden of that macabre success.

Terrorism as a tactic relies upon fear, and for it to succeed requires surrender.

In the words of former Prime Minister Winston Churchill, “Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never, in nothing, great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense.”