04 August 1999
(Lessons of East Africa bombings are applied worldwide) (720) By Jane A. Morse USIA Diplomatic Correspondent Washington -- The shock waves of the August 7, 1998 terrorist bombings of two U.S. Embassies in East Africa are still being felt, but the lessons learned are resulting in improvements in security at U.S. facilities worldwide, say American officials. More than 220 Americans, Kenyans and Tanzanians were killed and some 5,000 wounded when powerful bombs almost simultaneously exploded at the U.S. Embassies in Dar es Salaam and Nairobi a year ago. The suicide attacks were attributed to Usama bin Laden and Muhammad Atef who lead the terrorist organization known as "al Qaeda." During a special noon briefing at the State Department August 4, Assistant Secretary of State for Administration Patrick Kennedy said that each and every one of the some 265 U.S. Missions overseas have implemented improvements in their security -- both in physical improvements to the property and in increased security personnel. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security Peter Bergin, who also briefed, noted that 4,000 new local guards have been hired to protect U.S. Missions abroad and more than 200 Diplomatic Security special agents have been deployed overseas temporarily to augment security. Another 140 new Diplomatic Security special agent positions overseas have been established, and 337 new Diplomatic Security special agents, security engineers, security technicians, diplomatic couriers, and civil servants have been hired and trained, he said. In a number of cities overseas, the United States has worked with host governments to close streets or change traffic patterns near the U.S. Missions, according to Bergin. To achieve the proper setbacks (the space between U.S. buildings and public streets or other property), the State Department has purchased surrounding properties at 30 posts, he said. The improvements were made possible with the Fiscal Year 1999 security supplemental appropriation of $1.489 billion approved by the U.S. Congress. President Clinton has asked Congress for $300 million for embassy security projects in the Fiscal Year 2000 budget amendment. In addition, the Clinton Administration is planning a 10-year embassy security program that would require nearly $11.4 billion. But money and improved security alone won't solve the problem of terrorist attacks, U.S. officials point out. To undercut terrorist activities, the U.S. government has intensified its cooperation with other governments to seize terrorist finances, shut down illegal activities, disrupt terrorist training, break up support cells, and bring suspects to justice, they said. "We can never know how many attempted (terrorist) acts we may have thwarted as a result of such cooperation, but we do know that terrorists have been constrained by our efforts, says Ambassador Michael Sheehan, the State Department's acting coordinator for counter-terrorism, who also briefed August 4. In the East Africa case, the U.S. Department of Justice has charged bin Laden and 16 associates involved in those bombings. Five suspects are now in U.S. custody and three more are in custody in the United Kingdom, pending extradition to the United States, Sheehan said. "We remain determined to bring all of those responsible to justice," he said. But bin Laden remains in Afghanistan under the protection of the Taliban, an ultra-conservative Islamic militia that controls most of that country. The United States conducted a bombing run against bin Laden's facilities there once. The United States, Sheehan said, will use military force again, "if necessary to defend our people and interests." Sheehan pointed out that U.S. interests overseas will never be invulnerable to attack. "When we represent our people overseas, we will always face risks," he said. "But we will not be deterred from doing the business we are charged to do." Secretary of State Madeleine Albright will host a special commemorative ceremony for the victims of the East Africa terrorist bombings on Saturday, August 7 at the State Department. National Security Advisor Sandy Berger will be there to deliver a Presidential Message. Albright has taken a keen personal interest in the safety of American diplomats working overseas, according to her spokesman, James Rubin. "She meets every morning, first thing in the morning, with the head of Diplomatic Security," Rubin said at the August 4 briefing. "I think that has contributed to insuring that from the top down this Department has put embassy security as a top priority the way it should be."