    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book I)]
    [May 21, 1993]
    [Pages 714-715]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters Prior to Discussions With President Glafcos
    Clerides of Cyprus
    May 21, 1993

    Cyprus

        Q. Mr. President, is the United States willing to be a guarantor for
    Cyprus?
        The President. Well, we want to do what we can to promote a good
    agreement there, and we're going to be actively involved in working
    toward a peaceful settlement. The talks are just about to start again,
    and I don't think I should say or do anything which would disrupt them.
    But I'm glad to have the President here. I really appreciate the
    attitude he's taken. And I think that we have the best chance we've had
    in quite a long while to have a peaceful, successful conclusion to these
    talks.

    White House Travel Office

        Q. Mr. President, do you think that you have at least the appearance
    of a problem in firing seven people, five of them apparently without
    cause, and replacing them with a relative and a major campaign
    contributor?
        The President. Well, I think, first of all, you ought to talk to my
    staff people who made those decisions. We reviewed the operation of
    every part of the White House. There was an audit, a review audit by
    Peat Marwick. It is my understanding that the decision was made based on
    striving to end inefficiency and mismanagement. And I believe the very
    first chartered plane flight coming out tomorrow under the new order of
    things is going to save about 25 percent over the old policy. And we're
    going to save the taxpayers money and save the press money, something I
    heard mentioned at the last press dinner.
        So I think what they're trying to do is right. If you have any
    particular questions about what they did, I would refer you to the
    people who made the decisions.
        Q. Mr. President, Senator Bond has written you a letter saying that
    there's a pattern of firing experienced public servants and replacing
    them with young political appointees.
        The President. I ask that you look at the facts. Is he defending the
    practices? Are you defending the practices? We now have a report on
    this. Do you think it's fine to have no-bid plane rides? At the press
    dinner there was a complaint about the costs of these plane rides to the
    press. The very first time in the new regime we go to a competitive
    bidding, modern system, anything that you would expect done in any sort
    of private company, and there's a 25 percent savings. Look at the facts,
    evaluate the facts, and draw your own conclusions.
        Q. [Inaudible]--on this issue and the haircut issue?
        The President. Not for me. That's what we've got a first amendment
    for. All I know is the taxpayers save money and the press saves money.

    [At this point, one group of reporters left the room, and another group
    entered.]

    Cyprus

        Q. Mr. President, do you see any room for a direct U.S. involvement
    in the Cyprus issue?
        The President. The President is just about to

    [[Page 715]]

    start another round of talks, and I don't think I should prejudge the
    talks. But I have assured him that the United States wants to be active
    and constructive. And I think we have a reasonable chance to see a
    successful conclusion of these talks, perhaps the best chance in a long
    time, not because of me but because of where the parties are and the
    leadership that will be exercised. And the United States, if we can be
    helpful, we want to be. But I don't think we should be specific. I think
    we should let whatever happens come out of these talks and obviously be
    generated from the parties themselves.
        Q. Is your administration prepared to provide some type of
    guarantee, assurances, resolutions, Mr. President?
        The President. Let's see what comes out of the talks and what we're
    asked to do. Again, I want to be supportive of the process. And I think
    that if we're supportive of the process, then we're more likely to get a
    good result. I don't think I should prejudge it or anything we might be
    asked to do.

    Note: The exchange began at 5:50 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. A tape was not available for verification of the content of this
    exchange.