[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 32, Number 43 (Monday, October 28, 1996)]
[Page 2109]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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 made available by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on October 18 but was not issued as a White House press 
release. This item was not received in time for publication in the 
appropriate issue.