25 August 1998
(Condemns "senseless attacks," offers sympathy to victims) (300) Washington -- President Clinton says the United States condemns "in the strongest possible terms" the "senseless" August 25 bombings which killed at least 29 persons in Uganda and two in South Africa. He promised "we will do all we can" to assist the two countries in the wake of the attacks. Clinton also extended the deepest sympathies of himself, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and the people of the United States to the victims, their families and their friends. Two South Africans were killed and 27 injured when a bomb exploded inside a Planet Hollywood restaurant in Cape Town, while the Ugandans died in the bombing of three buses near their nation's capital, Kampala. Following is the White House text: (begin text) The White House Office of the Press Secretary (Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts) August 26, 1998 STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT Bombings in South Africa and Uganda Hillary and I join the American people in extending our deepest sympathies to the victims of bomb attacks in South Africa and Uganda on August 25, and to their families and friends. We reaffirm our unshakeable friendship and support for them and for all of the people of South Africa and Uganda. The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms these senseless attacks on innocent civilians that have taken the lives of at least twenty-nine Ugandans and two South Africans. Earlier this month, South Africa provided immediate and invaluable assistance to the United States, Kenya and Tanzania in the wake of the bombings of the US embassies in those countries. We are grateful for the generous response and will do what we can to assist South Africa and Uganda in the wake of these senseless acts. (end text)