    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
    [June 21, 1997]
    [Pages 780-781]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters Prior to Discussions With Prime Minister
    Tony Blair of the United Kingdom in Denver
    June 21, 1997

    Northern Ireland Peace Process

        Q.  [Inaudible]--reaction to the bombing today, especially after you
    offered Sinn Fein a place at the table?
        Prime Minister Blair. Well, obviously, this is another appalling
    terrorist act, and it simply underlines the need for peace and to move
    this process forward, and that the longer we go on with these acts of
    terrorism, the less prospect there is of doing what everyone in Northern
    Ireland wants to happen, which is to get a lasting political settlement
    based on democratic and nonviolent means. And what is essential is for
    Sinn Fein and everyone else to realize that if they want to be part of
    that process, they have got to engage in purely democratic means. Now,
    that has been clear all the way through, it is clear now, and it is not
    right to make the people of Northern Ireland wait any longer for the
    lasting political settlement they want to achieve.
        Q. Mr. President, do you have a reaction?
        Q. Do you have any specific information--you say it was an act of
    terrorism--specific information on who caused it?
        President Clinton. Let me answer your question first. First of all,
    you know this is something that I attach great importance to, and I have
    been very encouraged by the approach that Prime Minister Blair has made.
    We have supported consistently the efforts of the British and the Irish
    Governments to bring peace.
        I was appalled at the murders of the two officers just a few days
    ago. I deplore this act today. But I, frankly, think now the ball is in
    Sinn Fein's court. We all have to decide now; everybody has decisions to
    make in life. And their decision is, are they going to be part of this
    peace process, or not? And so I hope the answer will be yes.
        I know what the people want. Just before I came out here I had two
    schoolteachers from Northern Ireland, one Catholic, one Protestant, who
    had received awards for working for peace. That's what the people want.
    That's the human face of this. And I think the politicians need to get
    in gear and give the people the peace they want.
        Prime Minister Blair. What we are doing----
        Q. Can you confirm that a place was offered----
        Prime Minister Blair. Michael [Michael Brunson, Independent
    Television News], let me just say to you that what we're doing and what
    we have been doing as a government is simply to try and give expression
    to the will of the overwhelming majority of people in Northern Ireland
    who want a decent, lasting, peaceful settlement to the problems there.
    And that chance is there, and we can do it. And I think enormous good
    will exists. It exists here in America, with the Irish Government, the
    British Government--enormous good will exists. And now it is for those
    people who have been holding up this process to come in and make sure
    that we get that lasting settlement the people want.
        Thank you very much.
        President Clinton. We've got to go back to work.

    Note: The exchange began at 11:44 a.m. at the Denver Public Library. In
    his remarks, the President referred to teachers Gary Trew and Seamus
    McNeill, recipients of the President's Prize. A tape was not available
    for verification of the content of this exchange.

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