    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book I)]
    [May 14, 1993]
    [Pages 668-669]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters Prior to Discussions With President Mary
    Robinson of Ireland
    May 14, 1993

    Ireland

        Q. Madam President, do you support a peace envoy from the United
    States to Ireland?
        President Robinson. I think it has been very much appreciated, as
    indeed the Taoiseach said when he met with the President on March the
    17th, on St. Patrick's Day, that President Clinton has shown such an
    interest in and concern for Ireland. That is very well recognized in
    Ireland itself and that, as President, you have indicated a genuine, a
    real concern. And I know that when you were discussing with the
    Taoiseach the idea of a peace envoy that you left open this issue,
    because it expresses concern, and that you are aware that there are the
    prospects of resumed talks in Northern Ireland. And I think in those
    circumstances--and it is appropriate to let those talks take their
    course.
        But the sounding of the concern, the genuine interest, and the fact
    that you said you were a friend not just on St. Patrick's Day but
    throughout the year in an interested way, that has struck a very real
    chord throughout the island of Ireland and an important one. And I think
    that's very much appreciated, now. So I think that the reality of that
    concern has created its own very helpful and constructive vibrations.
        President Clinton. Thank you.

    Perception of the Administration

        Q. Mr. President, you sounded a little bit frustrated at the end of
    your news conference there with the perception of your administration
    and your Presidency.
        President Clinton. I just did what I could to set the record
    straight. You know, in the end you're measured by whether you act or not
    and what you stand for and what you don't, and I think the record is
    pretty clear. This administration has come out for a lot of bold and
    comprehensive change and is fighting for it. And if I don't say that,
    who will?
        Q. That may be the question. [Laughter]
        President Clinton. We haven't lost a majority vote yet. We may
    before it's over, but we haven't yet.

    Ireland

        Q. President Clinton, can I ask you a question? Are you going to
    visit Ireland? You're meeting the President today. Would you like----
        President Clinton. I hope so. I told the President I went to Ireland
    once when I was a young man.
        Q. 1969?
        President Clinton. It was a great trip.
        Q. Do you think you're going to be able to do it?
        President Clinton. Did you check my passport files? Is that how
    you--[laughter].
        Q. Would you like to visit Ireland?
        President Clinton. I would very much.

    The First 100 Days

        Q. Can I ask you about your first 100 days in office? Have you
    enjoyed that?
        President Clinton. Very much. Even the difficult times have been
    good. You know, it's an exhilarating thing trying to sort of turn things
    around, not easy but exhilarating.

    Gerry Adams

        Q. Mr. President, you've gotten some heat over your Irish problems
    recently. Do you think looking back on what you said during the campaign
    and knowing what you know now about, for example, the Gerry Adams
    status, that you might have rephrased what you were saying?

    [[Page 669]]

        President Clinton. Well, what I said was--and I did do that--I asked
    the State Department to review the case and I gave the--and other
    agencies did so as well. He is no longer a Member of Parliament, which
    is what I take my statement on. And they unanimously recommended that
    the visa not be granted. I have no grounds to overrule them.

    Lani Guinier

        Q. Mr. President, at your press conference today on the Lani Guinier
    question, you seem to suggest--please correct me if I'm wrong--but that
    it's simply a matter of Congress confirming her and her doing--or,
    excuse me, the Senate confirming her and her doing Congress' will as it
    relates to the Civil Rights Division. But her writings suggest a very
    interesting interpretation of things like the Voting Rights Act, which
    she would extend to the executive branch, numerical goals for judicial
    appointments, which I believe you opposed in your campaign. So what is
    the Senate, then, to make of the fact that you've sent somebody up there
    that favors things that you oppose?
        President Clinton. Well listen, I would never have appointed anybody
    to public office if they had to agree with everything I believe in. We
    wouldn't have a Cabinet. I mean, I take it, based on my personal
    experience, you will believe me when I say I am confident that she'll
    follow the Constitution and the laws of the United States. You have to
    swear an oath of office to that. She may wish the law were different in
    some areas. But I've had personal experience with her accomplishments as
    a civil rights lawyer, and I thought we ought to have a distinguished
    civil rights lawyer as head of the Civil Rights Division. And I say
    again, the Congress passes the laws and the executive branch enforces
    them, and when there is a question of policy, that will be resolved by
    the Attorney General.
        Q. Are you disassociating yourself from her writings, sir?
        President Clinton. I never have associated myself with all of her
    writings or all of anybody else's. I even found a word or two in the
    Vice President's book I didn't agree with. [Laughter]

    Ireland

        Q. President Robinson, what is your message to President Clinton?
    What is your message to President Clinton today?
        President Robinson. Well, it is certainly a very special occasion to
    come here as President of Ireland and to be welcomed by President
    Clinton. And I want to reiterate the invitation that has already been
    extended to him by the Taoiseach to renew his acquaintanceship with
    Dublin and to come to Ireland on an appropriate occasion. And I want to
    express appreciation of the fact that President Clinton has clearly
    signaled an interest in and an active concern for Ireland, for the
    modern Ireland, the Ireland which I have the honor to represent and that
    you and your administration are keeping in very close contact, that
    there is a very open communication and a sense of that, and that has
    been very consciously realized in Ireland itself and throughout the
    island of Ireland. And I think it is a very significant and helpful
    factor in our relations.

    Note: The exchange began at 4:25 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. During the exchange, the following persons were referred to:
    Albert Reynolds, Prime Minister of Ireland, and Gerry Adams, leader of
    Sinn Fein. A tape was not available for verification of the content of
    this exchange.