*EPF504 11/29/2002
Text: Powell Condemns Terror Attacks in Kenya, Israel
(Responds to terrorist attacks on Thanksgiving Day) (220)

Secretary of State Colin Powell November 28 condemned terrorist attacks earlier in the day at the Paradise Hotel near Mombasa, Kenya, and at a polling station in Israel.

Following is the State Department text:

(begin text)

U.S. Department of State
Office of the Press Secretary
November 28, 2002

Remarks by Secretary of State Colin L. Powell

Attacks in Mombasa, Kenya and Beit Shean, Israel

We condemn in the strongest terms the horrific terrorist bombing earlier today in the Paradise Hotel near Mombasa Kenya that killed at least eleven and wounded dozens -- both Kenyans and Israelis. We also condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist shooting at a polling station in Beit Shean in which three Israelis were killed and many more injured. I want to extend my most sincere condolences and deepest sympathies to the families of all the victims in these despicable attacks and to the Kenyan and Israeli peoples. I encourage Israelis to not allow this attack to dissuade them from exercising their democratic rights and to vote in today's primary election.

We condemn the apparent attempt to shoot down an Israeli civilian airliner near Mombasa. We call on the international community to do everything possible to bring to justice those responsible for committing or supporting these attacks.

We also call on the Palestinians to take immediate and sustained steps to eradicate the infrastructure of terrorism and violence that has wrought such tragic bloodshed.

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

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