U.S. Aids Kenya On Blast Anniversary

The United States marked the anniversary of the bombing of its embassy in Kenya on Monday by providing a grant to replace a bank destroyed by the blast two years ago.

The U.S. Agency for International Development delivered a check for $267,000 to help the Ufundi Savings and Credit Cooperative Society place a down payment on an existing building in downtown Nairobi. Ufundi contributed $67,000 toward the purchase of the building and donated the land where their old building stood to be used along with the former embassy grounds for a memorial park.

A car bomb exploded in the parking lot between the U.S. Embassy and Ufundi House on Aug. 7, 1998, killing 213 people and injuring more than 5,000. Ufundi House, which included rental space that provided the cooperative's sole source of income, collapsed from the blast.

The United States will provide the balance of the cost of the building, $2.73 million, when the purchase process has been completed.

"This gesture has gone a long way to confirm that the American administration means well for Kenyans," Judith Mwango, chairwoman of the cooperative, said in thanking U.S. officials.

The United States has provided $42.3 million in assistance following the bombing, but many Kenyans believe it should do more. The U.S. program to provide aid to victims of the bombing continues to review applications.

U.S. Ambassador Johnnie Carson pledged continued U.S. assistance, as well as the prosecution of those responsible for the blast. Seventeen people have been charged in the bombing, including alleged mastermind Osama Bin Laden.

Six are awaiting trial in New York district court, three are awaiting extradition from Britain and eight remain at large.

In Washingtion Monday, hundreds of State Department personnel took a moment of silence to remember those killed at the American embassies in Tanzania and Kenya.

Department personnel at other embassies and consulates around the world also particpated to observe the victims at 10:30 a.m. local time.

Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said last week "Terrorists have no place to hide, no place to run."

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