    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
    [June 26, 1996]
    [Pages 980-981]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on the Terrorist Attack in Saudi Arabia and an Exchange With
    Reporters
    June 26, 1996

        The President. Good morning. As I leave for the G-7 summit, which is
    the fourth of my Presidency, I want to say a few words about yesterday's
    outrageous attack on Americans in Saudi Arabia. First, I ask every
    American to take a moment today to say a prayer for the victims and
    their families and to rededicate ourselves to the fight against
    terrorism.
        Let me now tell you what we know, what we do not know, and what we
    are doing about the attack. Here's what we know about what happened:
    Saudi police were immediately suspicious of a truck which was parked
    outside the security perimeter of our base. They alerted an American
    patrol and began to warn the occupants of nearby buildings. As our
    patrol approached the truck, two of its occupants fled, and shortly
    thereafter, the bomb exploded. No person or group has claimed
    responsibility for the attack yet, and we do not know who is responsible
    yet.
        As of this moment, 19 are confirmed dead, all Americans. Eighty
    people have been seriously wounded, including some non-Americans, and
    more than 200 people were treated for minor injuries. Secretary of State
    Christopher will fly to Saudi Arabia today. Last night, I directed an
    FBI team of 40 experts, investigators and forensic experts, to go there
    to work with the Saudi Arabian authorities. We deeply appreciate the
    cooperation of the Saudi Government.
        Now as I head to Lyons, my first order of business will be to focus
    the strength and the energy of the G-7 on the continuing fight against
    terrorism. Let me be very clear: We will not rest in our efforts to find
    who is respon-

    [[Page 981]]

    sible for this outrage, to pursue them, and to punish them. Anyone who
    attacks one American attacks every American, and we protect and defend
    our own.
        This attack underscores the struggle of all those who share
    tolerance and freedom and security. Our struggle at the end of the cold
    war is to deal with these new perils: the rogue states like Iran and
    Iraq; the smugglers who would poison our children with drugs; those who
    deal in sophisticated weapons or weapons of mass destruction, chemical,
    biological and nuclear; terrorists who strike not just in Saudi Arabia
    but in the subways of Tokyo, in the streets of London, in the Holy Land,
    and in America's heartland--usually people in the paralyzing grip of
    religious, ethnic, and racial hatred.
        To meet these threats, last year the G-7 in Halifax and then, at the
    United Nations General Assembly, the United States launched initiatives
    to fight international organized crime, drug trafficking, nuclear
    smuggling, and terrorism. Now at Lyons, we expect to expand that work,
    and we expect to see very practical results, including a package of 40
    specific recommendations to combat terrorism. Defeating these organized
    forces of destruction is one of the most important challenges our
    country faces at the end of this century and the beginning of the next.
        The G-7 is primarily an economic group. We've worked hard to advance
    our economic security, and compared to 4 years ago, we're much better
    off. We know we still have a long way to go. But I will say to my
    partners there what I say to my fellow Americans today: We cannot have
    economic security in a global economy unless we can stand against these
    forces of terrorism. The United States will lead the way, and we expect
    our allies to walk with us hand-in-hand. We cannot tolerate this kind of
    conduct.
        Thank you.
        Q. Mr. President, in light of the possibility that the bombing was
    carried out by people who don't want American and Western forces on Arab
    soil, do you feel the need to reaffirm the mission to the American
    people?
        The President. Well, first of all, I believe that the United States
    has been made very welcome there. We have tried not to be an obtrusive
    presence. We have worked in close partnership with the Saudis for a long
    time, since the Presidency of Franklin Roosevelt. And I think it would
    be a mistake for the United States to basically change its mission
    because of this.
        We are there at the invitation of the Saudi Government and in
    partnership with the Saudi Government. I am reluctant to comment on what
    the possible motives of this act are and whether it was directed
    primarily against us because we're Americans or simply because we're
    there in partnership with this government.
        I had a good talk with King Fahd yesterday who expressed his deep
    regret at our loss and his determination to find those responsible, and
    I believe that we should wait until we know who did this and what their
    motives were to say more. But I believe the United States mission in the
    Middle East is important, and it is supportive of countries that support
    the peace process, and I believe that we should continue on that
    mission.
        Q. Mr. President, will the FBI be able to conduct an independent
    investigation?
        Q. Are you going to Saudi Arabia, Mr. President?
        The President. On the question of going to Saudi Arabia, at this
    time I have no plans to do it. If we change our plans, I'll let you
    know. As I'm sure you know, I have been there since I've been President.
    My heart is there today and has been. It is difficult to think about
    anything else but our people in uniform there, and especially those
    whose lives were lost, and their families. But I do not want to be in
    the way of the attempt to take care of all of the people there and to
    get this investigation off to a good start.
        If something happens that makes me think it's appropriate for me to
    go, I will let you know at the earliest possible time.
        Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:01 a.m. on the South Lawn at the White
    House, prior to his departure for Lyons, France. In his remarks, he
    referred to King Fahd bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia. The
    proclamation of June 26 honoring the victims of the bombing in Saudi
    Arabia is listed in Appendix D at the end of this volume.