10 September 1998

TEXT: CROWE TO CHAIR REVIEW BOARDS ON AFRICA EMBASSY BOMBINGS

(9/10 statement by State Dept. Spokesman James Rubin) (320)



WASHINGTON -- Former U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain and one time
chair of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral William Crowe was
sworn in by Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on September 9 to
chair Accountability Review Boards charged with investigating the
August 7 bombings of U.S. Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.


Following is State Department Spokesman James Rubin's announcement on
Crowe's appointment:


(BEGIN TEXT)



Secretary of State Albright on September 9 swore in Admiral William
Crowe as chairman of two Accountability Review Boards (ARBs) charged
with investigations of the August 7 bombings of Embassy Nairobi and
Embassy Dar es Salaam. Under the provisions of the Omnibus Diplomatic
Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986, the secretary appoints such
boards whenever there is loss of life, serious injury, or significant
destruction of property at or related to U.S. government missions
abroad. The two boards chaired by Admiral Crowe will examine the facts
and circumstances surrounding the Nairobi and Dar es Salaam bombings,
and will submit written findings determining:


-- the extent to which the incident's were security related:



-- whether the security systems and security procedures were adequate;


-- whether the security systems and security procedures were properly
implemented;


-- the impact of intelligence and information availability;



-- whether there is reasonable cause to believe that any individual
has breached the duty of that individual; and


-- such other factors and circumstances which may be relevant to the
appropriate security management of United States missions abroad.


The boards' reports to the secretary will include the boards'
findings, any program recommendations, and any personnel
recommendations. Once formed, the boards will present their findings
to the secretary in 60 days (unless the investigations require
additional time). The boards will be fully formed in the near future,
and each board will consist, in addition to Admiral Crowe as chairman,
of four members and an executive secretary.


(END TEXT)