[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.