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Perry: Saudis close to naming bombers
Defense secretary expects international link
August 2, 1996
Web posted at: 5:15 p.m. EDT (2115 GMT)From Correspondent Jamie McIntyre
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Saudi Arabian government is close to presenting the results of its probe of the deadly June 25 bombing of a U.S. military housing complex, and a top U.S. official expects an "international connection" in the attack.
The United States will take "strong action" if there is compelling evidence that Iran or another country was involved in the blast near Dhahran that killed 19 U.S. airmen, Defense Secretary William Perry told National Public Radio Friday. (244K AIFF or WAV sound)
The "general terms" of any retaliation have been outlined already to U.S. allies France and Britain, Perry said.
In an interview with NPR's Martha Raddatz, Perry called Iran "the leading candidate" among countries that would commit terrorist acts against the United States.
When asked about if the Saudis had found a link to international terrorists, Perry replied: "I anticipate that we will find, when they announce it ..., there will be an international connection, yes."
Perry would not specify what action the United States might take against the country.
The truck bomb attack on the Khobar Towers compound near Dhahran and injured hundreds of other U.S. military personnel housed therein addition to those killed.
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