    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book II)]
    [October 18, 1996]
    [Page 1866]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message on the Observance of the Anniversary of the Terrorist Attack in
    Beirut, Lebanon
    October 18, 1996

        Thirteen years ago, as dawn was breaking in Beirut, Lebanon, a
    suicide-bomber drove a truck filled with explosives into a compound that
    housed American Marines. More than 240 Americans were killed by this
    single act of hatred. Almost simultaneously, a similar assault claimed
    the lives of dozens of French soldiers.
        Now, in this place of repose and respect, representatives from over
    thirty nations join to honor these victims and all the others around the
    world who have lost their lives at the hands of terrorists. We remember
    the passengers of Pan Am Flight 103, whose journey ended in the skies
    over Lockerbie, Scotland. We remember the victims of the World Trade
    Center bombing, and the 168 innocent people--among them helpless
    children--who were murdered in Oklahoma City. We remember those
    Americans in Riyadh and Dhahran, Saudia Arabia, who gave their lives in
    service to our nation. And we remember those murdered on the streets of
    Tel Aviv, or poisoned in the Tokyo subway, or killed by a car bomb on
    Canary Wharf in London, or assaulted on an Army base near Belfast, and
    so many others who have suffered the pain and outrage of a terrorist
    attack.
        This remembrance ceremony is a fitting tribute to the victims of
    terrorism worldwide, and I want to thank Carmella LaSpada and the ``No
    Greater Love'' organization for their steadfast commitment to honor and
    remember those victims, as well as the brave men and women who have died
    in service to America. For all the positive advances of our time, the
    threat of terrorism looms larger in a world grown ever closer. That is
    why we must work together with other nations more than ever to prevent
    terrorists from acting and to capture them if they do. And we are doing
    just that.
        But just as important as the strength of our policies is the
    strength of our spirit. To the family members gathered at Arlington
    National Cemetery, I know that no words can comfort you for the loss of
    your loved ones. The passage of time will never erode the place they
    hold in your hearts. But let us move beyond our sorrow and anger to find
    joy in the memories of those we honor here. Let us give thanks for the
    lives they lived, find inspiration in all they achieved, and together
    strive to realize the shining dreams they left behind. Let us unite the
    community of civilized nations to stand up for freedom and stand against
    the scourge of terrorist violence.

                                                                Bill Clinton

    Note: This message was read by Assistant to the President for National
    Security Affairs Anthony Lake at the October 23 commemoration for
    victims of terrorism. It was made available by the Office of the Press
    Secretary on October 18 but was not issued as a White House press
    release.