    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
    [June 13, 1996]
    [Pages 908-909]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters Prior to Discussions With President
    Mary Robinson of Ireland
    June 13, 1996

        President Clinton. Let me begin by saying how delighted I am to
    welcome President Robinson to the United States, along with the
    delegation from the Irish Government. The United States is very proud to
    have been a partner with Ireland in so many ways. We appreciate the work
    that they have done for peace in Northern Ireland and for peace around
    the world. And I look forward to this discussion today and our continued
    common efforts.

    Northern Ireland Peace Process

        Q. Mr. President, are you concerned about the rocky start the peace
    talks have gotten off to and the kind of cool relationship or cool
    welcoming George Mitchell got there?
        President Clinton. Well, it seems to be working itself out. And I
    believe that talks are going to go forward, and I'll do everything I can
    to support the process. And I hope very much that somehow the cease-fire
    can be reestablished so that everybody will participate and there will
    be a successful resolution of it.

    President Ernesto Samper of Colombia

        Q. Mr. President, what do you plan to do about the exoneration of
    Samper yesterday by the Colombian Legislature?
        President Clinton. Well, the United States judges its relationships
    with Colombia on one standard, whether they're cooperating with us in
    the fight against narcotics. And we will judge our relationship with
    Colombia based on that standard. And we--however the--they have a
    democratically elected parliament; they have to vote on matters as they
    see fit. But we will judge our relationship with a country based on
    their level of cooperation with us in the fight against narcotics.

    Church Burnings in the South

        Q. Mr. President, another church fire this morning. Are you
    concerned that all the attention, including what you've brought to it,
    is causing copycats?
        President Clinton. Well, it was getting quite a lot of attention
    before. We, after all, had had a huge number of them. All I can tell you
    is that the United States will never accept burning churches. It is
    wrong, and it's evil, and it has to stop. We have to continue to do
    whatever we can to stop it. And I may have more to say about it later
    today.

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

    Northern Ireland Peace Process

        Q. Mrs. President, you said that you thought that some words of
    reconciliation would be helpful. Do you think that words of
    reconciliation from the White House would be helpful for the people of
    Ireland?
        President Robinson. I think the whole approach of the United States
    has been very helpful, not just today or yesterday but for the last
    number of years. It has been a very evenhanded, nurturing approach. It
    has been both words and practical help. And it's, I think, evidenced by
    the presence of Senator Mitchell in the very sensitive negotiations at
    the moment.
        There are so many different ways in which the United States is being
    truly helpful. And I have the opportunity during this state visit to
    express the appreciation of the people of Ireland, and I think it's
    timely to do that. I think this has been a very special friendship,
    reflecting the very long links between our two countries, but very, very
    thoughtful, very helpful, very nurturing, very evenhanded, very
    sensitive, and very patient. And it's not easy at the moment. Nobody
    believes it is. And so it needs that true friend who's with you during
    those times of difficulty. And that is how we view the United States.
        Q. Mr. President, did you feel in any way sad at the way Senator
    Mitchell seemed to have

    [[Page 909]]

    been treated in the early days of the talks process?
        President Clinton. Well, I don't think that Senator Mitchell feels
    sad about it. I think that we knew, all of us, from the beginning that
    these would be difficult talks and that there would be some rocky places
    in the road, especially in the beginning. We hope very much that the
    talks will proceed successfully now. Some of the procedural issues
    appear to have been resolved in a satisfactory manner to all parties. I
    also very much hope that the cease-fire can be reestablished so that
    everybody will be participating in the talks and they will actually
    produce what they were meant to produce. And we'll be further along the
    road to peace.
        But I actually feel pretty good about the way things have happened
    so far. We're still going; it's still rocking along in the right
    direction.
        Q. [Inaudible]--Mr. President, that the IRA might call another
    cease-fire?
        President Clinton. Well, I have no inside information about that.
    All I can tell you is what I hope will happen. We need everybody
    involved to have a resolution of this that will, at the other end of it,
    involve everyone in a system that will lead to permanent peace and
    reconciliation and participation in the affairs of Northern Ireland.
        Q. You said when you came to Ireland that you told the men of
    violence, ``Your day is done. Your day is over.'' Do you still feel
    that's the case after the Sinn Fein vote in the Northern Ireland
    elections? How would you interpret that vote?
        President Clinton. I don't think it's a vote for violence. That's
    not the way I interpreted the vote at all. And I think the--I think
    every voice that represents a substantial element of the people of
    Northern Ireland needs to be heard in the talks. But if the purpose of
    the talks is to produce a lasting and enduring peace, you can't have the
    talks with a gun to your head.
        Q. If you were talking directly to Gerry Adams today, what exactly
    would you say to him about restoration of the cease-fire?
        President Clinton. Probably the same thing I've always said--say,
    first of all, congratulations on the vote, and secondly, I would say I
    hope that a cease-fire can be secured so that everyone can participate.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:19 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams. A
    tape was not available for verification of the content of these remarks.