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U.S.: Bush Says Saudi Bombers Will Be Found


Prague, 14 May 2003 (RFE/RL) -- U.S. President George W. Bush has vowed that U.S. officials will find those responsible for the 12 May suicide car-bomb attacks in Riyadh which killed at least 29 people, including nine suicide bombers. Eight Americans were killed in the attacks on three residential compounds. At least another 194 people were injured.

Bush said he would not "be surprised" if the Al-Qaeda terrorist network carried out the attacks, but that he cannot yet say that for certain.

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell visited one of the compounds which houses Americans and other Westerners and condemned the attacks. "This was a well-planned terrorist attack. Obviously, the facility had been cased, as had the others. [It was] very well executed and it shows the nature of the enemy we are working against."

He said the attacks have the hallmarks of strikes by Al-Qaeda terrorists.

The United States has ordered all U.S. nonessential diplomats and the families of all of its embassy and consulate staff in Saudi Arabia to leave the country.

The State Department also warned of the "potential of further terrorist attacks" in Saudi Arabia.

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