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15 October 2003

Bush Condemns Terrorist Attack on Americans in Gaza

Americans there to interview Palestinian Fulbright candidates

President Bush condemned "in the strongest terms the vicious act of terrorism directed against Americans in Gaza" October 15.

News reports say three American security guards were killed in the attack and one was injured. All four are reported to have been guarding the convoy of U.S. diplomats who were in Gaza to interview young Palestinian candidates seeking Fulbright scholarships to study in the United States.

In a statement issued by the White House in Fresno, California, where the President was visiting, Bush said the United States is working closely with the appropriate officials to bring the terrorists to justice.

"Palestinian authorities should have acted long ago to fight terror in all its forms," he said.

The Americans attacked "were pursuing a vision for a better future for the Palestinian people," Bush said.

"This is another example of how the terrorists are enemies of progress and opportunity for the Palestinian people," he said.

Following is the president's statement:

(begin transcript)

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Fresno, California)
October 15, 2003

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

I condemn in the strongest terms the vicious act of terrorism directed against Americans in Gaza today. We are working closely with the appropriate officials to bring the terrorists to justice.

Palestinian authorities should have acted long ago to fight terror in all its forms. The failure to create effective Palestinian security forces dedicated to fighting terror continues to cost lives. There must be an empowered prime minister who controls all Palestinian security forces, reforms that continue to be blocked by Yasser Arafat. The failure to undertake these reforms and dismantle the terrorist organizations constitutes the greatest obstacle to achieving the Palestinian people's dream of statehood.

The Americans who were attacked today were pursuing a vision for a better future for the Palestinian people. The U.S. embassy officials traveling in Gaza were there to interview young Palestinian candidates seeking Fulbright scholarships to study in the United States. This is another example of how the terrorists are enemies of progress and opportunity for the Palestinian people.

On behalf of the American people, I send my heartfelt condolences to the families of the brave Americans who were killed and injured serving our country and its ideals.

(end transcript)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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