    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book II)]
    [July 12, 1997]
    [Page 956]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Northern Ireland
    July 12, 1997

        I welcome the decision of the Orange Order and its local lodges to
    voluntarily call off and reroute the contentious parades scheduled for
    this weekend. In choosing not to risk confrontation, the members of the
    Orange Order have taken a significant step. I hope that the people of
    both communities redouble their efforts to reach accommodation on other
    contentious parades in a spirit of good will and generosity and reject
    the inexcusable violence that we saw in Northern Ireland today.
        The Orange Order's decision, and the warm welcome that has greeted
    it, confirm my conviction that the people of Northern Ireland want and
    deserve an end to violence and confrontation. The people of Northern
    Ireland have the United States' unwavering support to build on this
    moment of hope to seek a lasting settlement to the conflict that has
    divided them for far too long.