07 August 2002

Text: Anniversary of 1998 Embassy Bombings in Kenya and Tanzania, August 7, 2002

(FR -- August 7 State Dept. statement on fourth anniversary of tragedy)

"Today marks the four-year anniversary of the bombings of the United States Embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Our thoughts are with those American, Kenyan and Tanzanian citizens lost in the bombings, as well as their families," said U.S. Deputy State Department Spokesman Philip T. Reeker on August 7.

In a printed statement released to press, Reeker said the East Africa bombings were perpetrated by Al-Qaida terrorists "seeking to destroy American lives and America's commitments to our friends and allies around the world."

As in the attacks in the United States on September 11 of last year, Reeker said, quite to the contrary, the terrorists "failed to shake our relationships with our friends overseas, and instead only renewed our shared commitment to peace and freedom."

Following is the text of Reeker's statement:
(begin text)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
August 7, 2002

STATEMENT BY PHILIP T. REEKER, DEPUTY SPOKESMAN

Anniversary of 1998 Embassy Bombings in Kenya and Tanzania

Today marks the four-year anniversary of the bombings of the United States Embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Our thoughts are with those American, Kenyan and Tanzanian citizens lost in the bombings, as well as their families. The American flag at all Department of State facilities will be lowered to half-staff in memory of those killed and injured in the attacks.

The East Africa bombings were perpetrated by Al-Qaida terrorists seeking to destroy American lives and America's commitments to our friends and allies around the world. However, as in the attacks on September 11 last year, the terrorists failed to shake our relationships with our friends overseas, and instead only renewed our shared commitment to peace and freedom.

In the four years since the embassy attacks, the U.S. has strengthened its ties with Kenya and Tanzania. Our partnership ranges from Peace Corps programs in remote villages to high-level cooperation in the War on Terror. In the coming months, those ties will be symbolized by the opening of new U.S. Embassy buildings in both countries. As ever, we remain proud of the work done by our embassies in Africa and around the globe to help shape a more secure and more prosperous world.

(end text)