*EPF301 09/01/2004
Text: White House Condemns Israeli Bus Bombings
(Extends condolences to Israeli people) (270)

The United States condemned the August 31 bombing of two buses in Beersheva, Israel, and extended its condolences to the government and people of Israel.

"There can be no excuse or justification for acts of terror against innocent civilians," the White House said in an August 31 press statement.

The Palestinian militant group Hamas claimed responsibility for the attacks, which killed 16 people in addition to the two suicide bombers, and wounded as many as 100. Hamas has been designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department.

The White House press statement called upon all those who seek peace in the Middle East to "join in the effort to fight terrorism and dismantle all terrorist organizations."

Following is the text of the press statement:

(begin text)

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(North Middleton Township, Pennsylvania)
August 31, 2004

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the vicious acts of terrorism committed today in Beersheva, Israel that killed and injured scores of civilians. It was a despicable act of murder, and we offer our condolences to the government and people of Israel, and especially to the families of the victims. Secretary of State Powell earlier today called Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom to express America's condolences and our condemnation of these attacks. There can be no excuse or justification for acts of terror against innocent civilians. It is critical that all who genuinely seek peace in the Middle East join in the effort to fight terrorism and dismantle all terrorist organizations.

(end text)

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

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