The Bush administration on Monday refused to criticize Russian special forces for using the gas, which killed 116 of the hostages as well as the hostage takers.

The State Department said an American hostage died during the operation. U.S. officials found a body believed to be that of Sandy Alan Booker, 49, who was visiting Moscow from Oklahoma and had been reported missing by his friends and family.

“The president abhors the loss of life, but he understands that it is the terrorists” who are responsible for the tragedy, spokesman Ari Fleischer said Monday as President Bush traveled to New Mexico.