THE WHITE HOUSE

                     Office of the Press Secretary
________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release                                   October 12, 2000



                    DEATH OF AMERICAN SERVICEMEMBERS
                   ABOARD THE UNITED STATES SHIP COLE

                             - - - - - - -

            BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

                             A PROCLAMATION


     As a mark of respect for those who died on the United States Ship
COLE, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me as President of the
United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of
America, that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff
upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval
stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the
District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its
Territories and possessions until sunset, Monday, October 16, 2000.  I
also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same
length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular
offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities
and naval vessels and stations.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twelfth day of
October, in the year of our Lord two thousand, and of the Independence
of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-fifth.


                              WILLIAM J. CLINTON


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