William Helms: “All decent and honorable human beings join in the condemnation of the brutal terrorists who participated in Tuesday's…”

“All decent and honorable human beings join in the condemnation of the brutal terrorists who participated in Tuesday's cowardly and contemptible attack on United States military personnel in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. All of us send our condolences to the families of the 19 brave Air Force servicemen and women who died in the attack, and we offer our prayers to the hundreds of wounded U.S. military personnel. This tragedy has touched my home State of North Carolina. Airman 1st Class Paul Blais of Kinston was among those killed in the bombing. We send our condolences and prayers to his family. Also we convey our deepest sympathies to the people and the Government of Saudi Arabia for the many scores of Saudi citizens who were wounded in the attack. Mr. President, the United States is a world leader, a nation with global responsibilities, and is therefore necessarily obliged to assign young Americans in uniform to almost every corner of the world to protect the interests of the American people and our allies. When and wherever young Americans sacrifice their lives we are reminded of the big price paid to maintain America's global obligations. This price has been especially high in Saudi Arabia, where another bombing last November killed five Americans. Despite the cost, Mr. President, we must stand firm in our support for Saudi Arabia. Terrorists will not and cannot drive the United States out of Saudi Arabia.”