    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book I)]
    [March 4, 1993]
    [Pages 236-237]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters Following a Meeting With Tilden Middle School
    Students
    March 4, 1993

    Health Care Task Force

        Q. Mr. President, can you explain to us why your health care task
    force won't be open to the public?
        The President. No working group of the Government before they have a
    proposal--that would be like opening the White House at every staff
    meeting we have. We can't do that. I mean, they've got 400 people over
    there, working continuously on thousands of different issues. Nobody
    ever does that. We would never--we can't get anything done.

    [[Page 237]]

        Also, what we've done has been publicly reported. Most of the papers
    have been released or leaked. But they have to be able to work. It's an
    ongoing project. It's like any other staff work the White House does.
        Q. But how do we know that there is no conflict of interest since we
    don't know who is working on it and we can't attend any of the meetings,
    the public meetings?
        The President. It's just like any other--how do you know that about
    anything we do here at the White House?

    World Trade Center Bombing

        Q. Can you be any more reassuring on the whole terrorism question,
    sir? This is obviously what people are going to be most worried about.
        The President. I think that people should be very reassured by the
    incredibly rapid work done by the law enforcement officials involved. It
    is very impressive. All resources were put into this from the moment the
    explosion occurred, and I think they did a remarkable job. I don't think
    I should say more than I know now. And I think you should wait until the
    statement is made tonight by the appropriate officials, and I'll be glad
    to give you further comments. But I think the American people should be
    very much reassured by the speed with which the law enforcement folks
    responded to this circumstance.

    Note: The exchange began at 3:25 p.m. in the North Foyer at the White
    House. A portion of this exchange could not be verified because the tape
    was incomplete.