[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.