*EPF502 09/03/2004
Excerpt: Bush Calls Russian School Tragedy Grim Reminder of Terror Threat
(President, State Dept. spokesman express U.S. solidarity with Russian people) (520)

President Bush says the hostage taking at a school in Beslan in the North Ossetia region of the Russian Federation "is yet another grim reminder of the lengths to which terrorists will go to threaten the civilized world."

At a political rally in West Allis, Wisconsin, September 3, Bush, who is campaigning for reelection to a second term, prefaced his speech with remarks about the situation.

"We mourn the innocent lives that have been lost," he said. "We stand with the people of Russia. We sent them our prayers in this terrible situation."

In Washington, at the daily State Department briefing, spokesman Richard Boucher said that what happened in Beslan was "a particularly barbaric" act of terrorism because it endangered the lives of children, parents and teachers.

Boucher said blame for the tragedy "lies squarely with the terrorists" and said no cause can justify such acts. He offered condolences to the victims' families and expressed America's solidarity with the Russian people. "We grieve with Russia on this tragic day," he said.

Following is an excerpt of the State Department briefing:

(begin excerpt)

Department of State
Washington, D.C.
http://www.state.gov

Daily Press Briefing
Richard Boucher, Spokesman

September 3, 2004

[...]

QUESTION: The Russian situation. Is there -- can you tell you whatever involvement, if there is any on the U.S.'s part?

MR. BOUCHER: We're certainly following the news reports in North Ossetia, and our Embassy in Moscow has followed events reported to us -- events as they're being reported in Moscow.

I think our Embassy has also been out already to express to the Russia people our sympathies and condolences for the apparent loss of life. I want to make very clear we absolutely condemn the hostage taking. We deplore the senseless loss of life. This was a particularly barbaric act of terrorism that put at risk the lives of dozens of children as well as parents and teachers.

The blame for the tragedy lies squarely with the terrorists. There is no cause that can justify these kinds of terrorist acts. We do offer our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. We grieve with Russia on this tragic day.

As I think I noted yesterday, the President spoke with President Putin. On Wednesday, the Secretary spoke with Foreign Minister Lavrov yesterday, and, as I said, our Embassy has been staying in touch and following events out in Moscow and making sure the Russian people and Government understand our sympathy and our solidarity as they face this very difficult and tragic situation.

QUESTION: I hate to ask the next question considering how many lives are at stake, but do you care to say anything about the way the Russians are willing to negotiate? Or, is that something for the Russians to figure out?

MR. BOUCHER: That's something for the Russians to address. We're not going to try to second-guess things from -- at this moment from out here.

[...]

(end excerpt)

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

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