[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.