07 August 1998
(SecState condemns "cowardly acts of apparent terrorism") (480) Rome -- Secretary of State Albright condemned the August 7 bombing of US Embassy buildings in Nairobi and Dar-es-Salaam as "dastardly and cowardly acts of apparent terrorism" and vowed that the United States "will spare no effort and use all means at our disposal to track down and punish the perpetrators of these outrageous acts." Albright was in Rome to attend the wedding of her spokesman, James Rubin. The bombings in Kenya and Tanzania, however, cut short her stay and she flew back to Washington immediately after making her public statement to the press. So far, there have been no claims of responsibility for the bombings, Albright said. Following is the State Department text: (begin text) US DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman August 7, 1998 STATEMENT BY SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE K. ALBRIGHT I would like to express my deepest condolences to the victims of the appalling bombings that occurred this morning at or adjacent to the US Embassy buildings in Nairobi, Kenya and Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. The bombings have resulted in numerous injuries and in severe damage to both installations. Tragically, we also understand that there have been a number of deaths, including of some US Embassy personnel in Nairobi. We will now be in the process of confirming this information and notifying next-of-kin before releasing it publicly. My heart goes out to the families of these brave Americans, our local employees and citizens of both of these countries who perished or were injured in these tragic bombings. Our Embassies in Nairobi and Dar-es-Salaam are performing heroically under the most difficult circumstances imaginable. They are working with local authorities in both countries to help bring victims out of the wreckage and to bring urgent medical attention to the injured. The United States government is currently mobilizing all necessary capabilities both inside and outside the region to deal with all aspects of this human catastrophe. I have spoken with Foreign Minister Godana of Kenya to express my condolences for the tragic deaths and injuries of Kenyan citizens and to offer full United States support in dealing with this tragedy. I will soon be in touch with Foreign Minister Kikwete of Tanzania to convey the same message. As of yet there has been no claim of responsibility for these dastardly and cowardly acts of apparent terrorism. Let me assure the American people, however, that if as seems probable these attacks are confirmed to have been terrorist in nature, the United States will spare no effort and use all means at our disposal to track down and punish the perpetrators of these outrageous acts. Finally, I am planning to return immediately to the United States to confer with the President on this challenge to the nation's security. (end text)