Clinton Says U.S. Will Find Saudi Bombers

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, June 26) -- President Bill Clinton asked Americans to take a moment of prayer for the victims of the Saudi bombing and their families, and said he wants this week's G-7 meeting in Lyon, France to focus on counter-terrorism (224K WAV sound)

"Let me be very clear, we will not resist and we will not rest in our efforts to find those responsible, we will persist and we will punish them," Clinton said, before leaving for France for the meeting of the industrial nations. "Anyone who attacks one American attacks every American and we protect and defend our own (256K WAV sound) ."

Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole also condemned the bombing as an act of terror.

At the international conference, Clinton said, he will outline 40 specific recommendations to combat terrorism. He called defeating these forces of destruction one of the most important challenges the country faces.

The president said he does not plan to go to the bombing site himself, but added, "My heart is there today, and it's difficult to think about anything else." He said he "didn't want to be in the way," but added that if something happened that made it appropriate for him to go, he would. Secretary of State Warren Christopher will visit the bombing site today.

Some analysts believe the blast is the result of anti-Western Saudi elements who want to break the longtime bond between the U.S. and the Saudi royal family.

Clinton said the United States has been welcome in Saudi Arabia and worked in close partnership with the Saudis since the 1940s.

"I think it would be a mistake for the United States to basically change it's mission because of this," he said.

Clinton Says U.S. Will Find Saudi Bombers

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