    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1994, Book II)]
    [October 11, 1994]
    [Page 1731]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters Prior to a Meeting With Auto Industry Leaders in
    Detroit, Michigan
    October 11, 1994

    Iraq

        Q. Mr. President, are you encouraged by developments in the Gulf?
        The President. Well, I'm hopeful. It's a little early yet to reach a
    final conclusion. We're watching it very closely.

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

    Auto Industry

        Q. Mr. President, why do you meet with the auto industry as often as
    you do?
        The President. Why do I?
        Q. Yes.
        The President. Because it's an important part of our economy, an
    important part of our strategy for economic revival, and because we've
    had a good partnership in working on a lot of issues.
        I'm very encouraged and Americans should be, not just the people of
    Michigan but the people of the United States, that the auto industry is
    back, clearly, leading the world now in sales of cars at the cutting
    edge and rebuilding our manufacturing base here at home. That's a big
    part of the objective of my administration. So I'm encouraged by it. I
    want to keep working with them.
        Q. How did you feel about your reception?
        The President. It was great.

    Note: The exchange began at 2:06 p.m. at the Westin Renaissance Hotel. A
    tape was not available for verification of the content of this exchange.