    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book II)]
    [September 15, 1997]
    [Page 1168]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1168]]

    Statement on Withdrawal of the Nomination of William F. Weld To Be
    Ambassador to Mexico
    September 15, 1997

        With great disappointment I accepted Governor Bill Weld's decision
    today to withdraw as my nominee for Ambassador to Mexico. He would have
    been a superb Ambassador to Mexico.
        The American people have not been well served during this process
    for several reasons. First, they have lost the opportunity of being
    represented in one of our most important ambassadorial positions by this
    outstanding public servant. Second, because Governor Weld was denied his
    right to a fair hearing, the American people lost their right to judge
    his qualifications for themselves. Third, they were denied a voice in
    this issue because their representatives in the United States Senate
    were prevented from voting on the nomination. And finally, at a time
    when we had been making strides towards a bipartisan foreign policy, the
    treatment that my nominee received reflected a divisiveness that does
    not well serve the American people.
        Our relations with Mexico are critical to our national security and
    to our economy. I will now work to find a replacement for Governor Weld
    who will meet the same high standards he would have set.

    Note: Press Secretary Mike McCurry read this statement during his daily
    briefing, which began at 2:24 p.m.