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USIS Washington 
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09 April 1999

TEXT: SECSTATE ON REPORT TO CONGRESS ON EMBASSY BOMBINGS

(Stresses need for vigilance, resources to protect posts (930)

Washington -- Secretary of State Albright says the 24 recommendations
made by two Accountability Review Boards set up to look into the
August 7, 1998 bombings of US embassies in Nairobi and Dar-Es-Salaam
underscore two important themes: the need for continued vigilance and
the need for more resources to protect overseas posts.

In an April 9 statement on the occasion of the formal transmittal to
Congress of the Accountability Board findings, Albright said they
convey the message that "there are no safe posts. No assumptions
should be made about when, where, why, how, or by whom, a terrorist
strike might be perpetrated."

Although she said she continues to advocate a multi-year funding
program that would implement the recommendations of the boards, she
also feels that this effort should not be funded with money diverted
from vital foreign affairs programs.

This is why, she said, "I have expressed astonishment and alarm" at
Congressional Budget Resolutions that would cut the President's fiscal
year 2000 foreign affairs funding request as much as 20 percent.

"It is simply not possible to reconcile support for embassy security,
or U.S. leadership abroad. with support for these Resolutions," she
said.

Following is the State Department text:

(begin text)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 9, 1999

STATEMENT OF SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE K. ALBRIGHT

Report to Congress
Response to Accountability Review Boards Recommendations
Concerning U.S. Embassy Bombings in Kenya and Tanzania

April 9, 1999

I am today transmitting to Congress my response to recommendations
made by two Accountability Review Boards (ARB) appointed in the
aftermath of the August 7, 1998 terrorist bombing of our embassies in
Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.

The Boards, both chaired by retired Admiral William J. Crowe, Jr.,
issued a combined report in January making twenty-four recommendations
with respect to improvements in security systems and procedures,
crisis management and intelligence. I agree with all of these
recommendations and am committed to implementing them aggressively
with only slight differences of tactics on a few. The report
transmitted today cites the recommendations and describes the actions
taken or planned with respect to each.

More generally, two recurring themes underlie both the Boards' report
and my response. The first is the need for vigilance in protecting our
diplomatic personnel and facilities in this era of high technology and
at times even higher tensions.

The Boards, and Admiral Crowe personally, have helped us convey the
message throughout the Department, and to embassy personnel from all
agencies, that security is everybody's business. There are no safe
posts. No assumptions should be made about when, where, why, how, or
by whom, a terrorist strike might be perpetrated. Literally nothing
should be taken for granted.

Second, the Boards have highlighted the need for resources.

It takes a lot of money to rebuild and repair embassies, purchase
security-related equipment, and hire and train needed security
personnel. The Boards estimated a cost of $14 billion over ten years
to carry out their recommendations.

Last fall, Congress approved an emergency security supplemental
appropriation of $ 1.4 billion. The President's FY 2000 request
includes $304 million this year and $3 billion in advanced
appropriations (FY2001-FY2005) to begin a multi-year construction
program for new embassies and consulates.

I continue to advocate a multi-year funding program adequate to
implement the recommendations of the Boards. But in so doing, I note
another key ARB recommendation that "additional funds for security
must be obtained without diverting funds from our major foreign
affairs programs." This is essential, for it would be folly for our
nation to provide its diplomats with the security they need, while
depriving them of the resources they must have to protect and promote
American interests.

We cannot afford a hollow foreign policy. As President Clinton said in
his State of the Union Address: "The bombing of our embassies in Kenya
and Tanzania reminds us of the risks faced every day by those who
represent America to the world. Let's give them our support, the
safest possible workplaces, and the resources they need so that
America can lead."

This is why I have expressed astonishment and alarm at the proposed
cuts of 15-20 percent in the President's FY 2000 funding request that
are contained in the Budget Resolutions recently approved by the House
and Senate. It is simply not possible to reconcile support for embassy
security, or U.S. leadership abroad, with support for these
Resolutions.

My reply to the ARB report recommendations marks an end to one phase
of our response to the Africa embassy bombings, but other elements
continue.

These include our worldwide effort, with allies and friends, to
counter the forces of international terror.

They include our diligent and ongoing initiatives to improve security
systems and procedures at all our posts.

And they include our mourning for the more than two hundred people
killed in these criminal blasts, including twelve Americans and forty
Kenyan and Tanzanian U.S. embassy employees and family members, and
the thousands injured. We have not, and will never, cease to honor the
loss of our loved ones, colleagues, neighbors and friends.

Finally, I want once again to thank Admiral Crowe and the members of
the two Review Boards. They gave selflessly of their time and effort
in service to the Department and to our country. And they produced a
serious report that deserves, and is receiving, a serious response.

(end text)