    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
    [June 27, 1996]
    [Pages 985-986]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters Prior to Discussions With Prime Minister
    Ryutaro Hashimoto of Japan in Lyons, France
    June 27, 1996

    Terrorism

        Q. Mr. President, now that you have had the chance to meet with a
    few European leaders, do you get any sense that they would be more
    willing to crack down on Iran and other nations that are known to
    sponsor terrorism and perhaps not have business dealings and other
    dealings with them?
        President Clinton. Well, let me say I think they're going to support
    a lot of the recommendations we have made, as far as cooperation. I
    believe they will be willing to do more. We now know that no one can
    hide from terrorism. We've had terrorist attacks in Japan, in the United
    States, Great Britain, of course now the terrible incident in Saudi
    Arabia. So I believe we will see a high level of support for common
    activities.
        Q. Does that include, perhaps, other nations ceasing economic
    activity?
        President Clinton. Well, let's wait and see. You know what my
    position is on that, so we'll just keep working on it.
        Q. Prime Minister Hashimoto, is there any possibility that you would
    agree to an extension of the U.S.-Japan semiconductor agreement that is
    scheduled to expire at the end of July?
        Prime Minister Hashimoto. Before going to that question, I would
    like to add a few words to what President Clinton has just said. On the
    moment I saw President Clinton in the lobby, the first words that I said
    to him was my sincerest condolences to the deceased and their families
    that--in the tragic incident in Saudi Arabia.
        This was painful enough for me to think about as we were approaching
    Lyons, and on the moment we arrived in Lyons we heard of another tragic
    incident concerning Israel. We must eliminate terrorism. We must make
    utmost ef-

    [[Page 986]]

    forts to eliminate terrorism. It's our common enemy.
        And also on this question--the leaders will have discussion and
    whatever ideas the President may have on this subject we would like to
    extend as much cooperation as possible. I expect Bill to make some
    comments on this subject at the dinner we're having this evening, for
    example. We will support the President as much as possible with our
    utmost might.
        And you mentioned semiconductors. If I may add a few items to that,
    we do have insurance and also the passenger talks concerning the civil
    aviation. We are meeting today to try to solve those issues. We are not
    here to fight over those issues. I believe that we can find a solution.
    Both sides have to make compromises.
        President Clinton. Thank you.
        Q. So you might agree to extend the agreement?
        President Clinton. It's time to go to work.
        Q. So you won't say whether you're going to extend the agreement or
    not?
        President Clinton. We have to go to work.
        Prime Minister Hashimoto. But we will have to work on that.

    Note: The exchange began at 5:30 p.m. at the Sofitel Hotel. A tape was
    not available for verification of the content of this exchange.