27 August 1998
(Says US "will not be intimated by terror") (520) Washington -- Secretary of State Albright says the arrest and extradition to the United States of a key suspect in the bombing of the US embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, "reflects the growing determination of the international community to hold terrorists accountable." Speaking at an August 27 Justice Department news conference announcing the suspect's apprehension, Albright warned: "Terrorists should understand that America will use every available diplomatic, judicial, economic and -- when necessary -- military tool to protect our people. We will not be intimidated by terror." The Secretary called the apprehension of the bombing suspect "a tribute to the hard work and long reach of our nation's law enforcement and diplomatic team," and noted that she was "deeply impressed" by the cooperative efforts of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents and their Kenyan and Tanzanian counterparts to gather evidence in the embassy bombing cases. Also participating in the briefing were Attorney General Janet Reno, Defense Secretary William Cohen, National Security Advisor Samuel Berger, Director of Central Intelligence George Tenet and FBI Director Louis Freeh. Following is a transcript of Secretary Albright's remarks as released by the Justice Department: (begin transcript) Madam Attorney General, Secretary Cohen, National Security Advisor Berger, Director Tenet, Director Freeh, and other officials of the law enforcement community and friends, I am pleased to be here to join in making what is a very welcome announcement. The rendition and arraignment of a prime suspect in the Kenya bombing is a tribute to the hard work and long reach of our nation's law enforcement and diplomatic team. And it reflects the growing determination of the international community to hold terrorists accountable. When I visited our missions in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam last week, I was deeply impressed by the efforts of our FBI -- in collaboration with their Kenyan and Tanzanian counterparts -- to gather evidence. I know they would say they are only doing their jobs, but they are out there day after day sifting through the rubble, looking for microscopic clues in a mountain of devastation. It is back-breaking, heart-wrenching work. And they richly deserve our gratitude for their efforts to establish the full truth about who planned and perpetrated these cowardly acts of mass murder. Terrorists should understand that America will use every available diplomatic, judicial, economic and -- when necessary -- military tool to protect its people. We will not be intimidated by terror. We will not shrink from our responsibilities. And we are determined that sooner or later, one way or another, terrorists will be held accountable for their crimes. Sadly, there is nothing we can do to bring back the colleagues and loved ones who were taken from us twenty days ago. But the announcement today indicates how serious we are about bringing those responsible to justice. To the Attorney General, to Director Freeh, and also to Director Tenet, I want to thank you on behalf of the State Department for a job well done. And offer our full cooperation and assistance as the investigation continues. (end transcript)