1998-08-20 Statement by the President

[Doug Henwood]

Delivered-By-The-Graces-Of: White House Electronic Publications
Precedence: Bulk
To: Public-Distribution at pub.pub.whitehouse.gov
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 1998 16:02 -0400
From: The White House <Publications-Admin at pub.pub.whitehouse.gov>
Reply-To: Publications at pub.pub.whitehouse.gov
Subject: 1998-08-20 Statement by the President
Keywords: Defense, Foreign, International-Security, Middle-East-North-Africa,

          President, Principal-Statement, Security, South-Asia, Topical-Remarks
Document-ID: pdi://oma.eop.gov.us/1998/8/20/2.text.1
URL:
http://www.pub.whitehouse.gov/uri-res/I2R?urn:pdi://oma.eop.gov.us/1998/8/20/2.t
ext.1

                            THE WHITE HOUSE

                     Office of the Press Secretary

                   (Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts)
________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release                                    August 20, 1998

                       STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

                       Edgartown Elementary School

                     Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts

1:55 P.M. EDT

      THE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon.  Today I ordered our
Armed Forces to strike at terrorist-related facilities in
Afghanistan and Sudan because of the threat they present to our
national security.

      I have said many times that terrorism is one of the
greatest dangers we face in this new global era.  We saw its
twisted mentality at work last week in the embassy bombings in
Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, which took the lives of innocent
Americans and Africans and injured thousands more.  Today we have
struck back.

      The United States launched an attack this morning on
one of the most active terrorist bases in the world.  It is
located in Afghanistan and operated by groups affiliated with
Osama bin Laden, a network not sponsored by any state, but as
dangerous as any we face.  We also struck a chemical
weapons-related facility in Sudan.  Our target was the
terrorists' base of operation and infrastructure.  Our objective
was to damage their capacity to strike at Americans and other
innocent people.

      I ordered this action for four reasons:  First,
because we have convincing evidence these groups played the key
role in the embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania.  Second,
because these groups have executed terrorist attacks against
Americans in the past.  Third, because we have compelling
information that they were planning additional terrorist attacks
against our citizens and others with the inevitable collateral
casualties we saw so tragically in Africa.  And, fourth, because
they are seeking to acquire chemical weapons and other dangerous
weapons.

      Terrorists must have no doubt that, in the face of
their threats, America will protect its citizens and will
continue to lead the world's fight for peace, freedom and
security.

      Now I am returning to Washington to be briefed by my
National Security team on the latest information.  I will provide
you with a more detailed statement later this afternoon from the
White House.

      Thank you very much.

            END                        1:58 P.M. EDT