27 August 1998
(Says US will defend its interests, people and values) (410) Worcester, Massachusetts -- President Clinton calls the apprehension and extradition to the United States of a key suspect in the bombing of the US Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, "an important step forward in our struggle against terrorism." But, he warned in an August 27 statement, "The enemies of peace and freedom undoubtedly will strike again. Our resolve must be for the long run." The President said: "No matter what it takes, how long it takes, or where it takes us, we will bring to justice those responsible for the murder and maiming of American citizens. We will defend our interests, our people and our values." Following is the White House text: (begin text) THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary (Worcester, Massachusetts) August 27, 1998 STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT Arrest of Suspect in Terrorist Attack on US Embassy in Kenya Late last night, American law enforcement authorities brought to the United States Mohammad Rashid, a suspect in the bombing attack on the United States Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya. The suspect's involvement in the bombing was established as the result of a joint investigation by the Kenyan police and an FBI team. He is associated with Usama Bin Ladin, the preeminent organizer and financier of international terrorism whose network we struck in Afghanistan and Sudan last week. This arrest does not close this case. We will continue to pursue all those who helped plan, finance and carry out the attacks on our embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, which took the lives of 12 Americans and hundreds of Africans. Let me express my gratitude to our law enforcement and intelligence agencies for a job very well done, and to the Kenyan and Tanzanian authorities for their hard work and close cooperation with the FBI. This is an important step forward in our struggle against terrorism -- but there is a long road ahead. The enemies of peace and freedom undoubtedly will strike again. Our resolve must be for the long run. We have and we will continue to use all the tools at our disposal -- law enforcement, diplomacy and when necessary, America's military might. No matter what it takes, how long it takes, or where it takes us, we will bring to justice those responsible for the murder and maiming of American citizens. We will defend our interests, our people and our values. (end text)