[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book II)]
[August 14, 1998]
[Page 1455]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Videotaped Address to the People of Kenya and Tanzania
August 14, 1998

    I am honored to address you, the people of Kenya and Tanzania. On 
behalf of all the American people, I extend our deepest condolences to 
the families and the friends of those Kenyans and Tanzanians who 
perished in the tragic attacks in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.
    Some of them worked alongside Americans at our Embassies, making 
vital contributions to our common efforts, and we are very grateful for 
their service. Others were nearby, working hard, as they did every day. 
All of these men and women were important to America, because we cherish 
our friendship with your peoples. We have long admired the achievements 
of your citizens and the beauty of your lands. All three of our nations 
have lost beloved sons and daughters, and so many, many more were 
injured. We pray, too, for their speedy recovery.
    Let me express America's profound gratitude for your extraordinary 
efforts, with Americans and others, to respond to this shared tragedy, 
pulling people from the wreckage, aiding the wounded, searching for 
evidence as to who committed these terrible acts.
    Violent extremists try to use bullets and bombs to derail our united 
efforts to bring peace to every part of this Earth. We grieve together, 
but I am proud that our nations have also renewed our commitment to 
stand together, to bring the offenders swiftly to justice, to combat 
terrorism in all its forms and to create a more tolerant and more 
peaceful world for our children.

Note: The address was videotaped at 10:10 a.m. in the Cabinet Room at 
the White House for later broadcast on the U.S. Information Agency 
WORLDNET, and the transcript was embargoed for release until 11:30 p.m. 
A tape was not available for verification of the content of this 
address.