09 April 1999
(Stresses need for vigilance, resources to protect posts (930) Washington -- Secretary of State Albright says the 24 recommendations made by two Accountability Review Boards set up to look into the August 7, 1998 bombings of US embassies in Nairobi and Dar-Es-Salaam underscore two important themes: the need for continued vigilance and the need for more resources to protect overseas posts. In an April 9 statement on the occasion of the formal transmittal to Congress of the Accountability Board findings, Albright said they convey the message that "there are no safe posts. No assumptions should be made about when, where, why, how, or by whom, a terrorist strike might be perpetrated." Although she said she continues to advocate a multi-year funding program that would implement the recommendations of the boards, she also feels that this effort should not be funded with money diverted from vital foreign affairs programs. This is why, she said, "I have expressed astonishment and alarm" at Congressional Budget Resolutions that would cut the President's fiscal year 2000 foreign affairs funding request as much as 20 percent. "It is simply not possible to reconcile support for embassy security, or U.S. leadership abroad. with support for these Resolutions," she said. Following is the State Department text: (begin text) U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 9, 1999 STATEMENT OF SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE K. ALBRIGHT Report to Congress Response to Accountability Review Boards Recommendations Concerning U.S. Embassy Bombings in Kenya and Tanzania April 9, 1999 I am today transmitting to Congress my response to recommendations made by two Accountability Review Boards (ARB) appointed in the aftermath of the August 7, 1998 terrorist bombing of our embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam. The Boards, both chaired by retired Admiral William J. Crowe, Jr., issued a combined report in January making twenty-four recommendations with respect to improvements in security systems and procedures, crisis management and intelligence. I agree with all of these recommendations and am committed to implementing them aggressively with only slight differences of tactics on a few. The report transmitted today cites the recommendations and describes the actions taken or planned with respect to each. More generally, two recurring themes underlie both the Boards' report and my response. The first is the need for vigilance in protecting our diplomatic personnel and facilities in this era of high technology and at times even higher tensions. The Boards, and Admiral Crowe personally, have helped us convey the message throughout the Department, and to embassy personnel from all agencies, that security is everybody's business. There are no safe posts. No assumptions should be made about when, where, why, how, or by whom, a terrorist strike might be perpetrated. Literally nothing should be taken for granted. Second, the Boards have highlighted the need for resources. It takes a lot of money to rebuild and repair embassies, purchase security-related equipment, and hire and train needed security personnel. The Boards estimated a cost of $14 billion over ten years to carry out their recommendations. Last fall, Congress approved an emergency security supplemental appropriation of $ 1.4 billion. The President's FY 2000 request includes $304 million this year and $3 billion in advanced appropriations (FY2001-FY2005) to begin a multi-year construction program for new embassies and consulates. I continue to advocate a multi-year funding program adequate to implement the recommendations of the Boards. But in so doing, I note another key ARB recommendation that "additional funds for security must be obtained without diverting funds from our major foreign affairs programs." This is essential, for it would be folly for our nation to provide its diplomats with the security they need, while depriving them of the resources they must have to protect and promote American interests. We cannot afford a hollow foreign policy. As President Clinton said in his State of the Union Address: "The bombing of our embassies in Kenya and Tanzania reminds us of the risks faced every day by those who represent America to the world. Let's give them our support, the safest possible workplaces, and the resources they need so that America can lead." This is why I have expressed astonishment and alarm at the proposed cuts of 15-20 percent in the President's FY 2000 funding request that are contained in the Budget Resolutions recently approved by the House and Senate. It is simply not possible to reconcile support for embassy security, or U.S. leadership abroad, with support for these Resolutions. My reply to the ARB report recommendations marks an end to one phase of our response to the Africa embassy bombings, but other elements continue. These include our worldwide effort, with allies and friends, to counter the forces of international terror. They include our diligent and ongoing initiatives to improve security systems and procedures at all our posts. And they include our mourning for the more than two hundred people killed in these criminal blasts, including twelve Americans and forty Kenyan and Tanzanian U.S. embassy employees and family members, and the thousands injured. We have not, and will never, cease to honor the loss of our loved ones, colleagues, neighbors and friends. Finally, I want once again to thank Admiral Crowe and the members of the two Review Boards. They gave selflessly of their time and effort in service to the Department and to our country. And they produced a serious report that deserves, and is receiving, a serious response. (end text)