    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [April 2, 1998]
    [Page 489]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters in Dakar
    April 2, 1998

    Dismissal of Paula Jones Civil Lawsuit

        The President. Good morning.
        Q. Did you get some good news last night, Mr. President?
        The President. Well, obviously I'm pleased by the decision, and I
    think the judge's opinion speaks for
    itself. Let me say, though, I'm also immensely pleased by this trip, and
    I'm very much looking forward to going home and continuing the work of
    the very ambitious agenda we've got there.
        Q. Mr. President, the suit was thrown out, but it did not clear your
    name. Are you disappointed by that?
        The President. Well, the nature of the motion would not permit that,
    but the most important thing is that I can go back now and continue the
    work that I'm doing. That's the most important thing to me. I want to
    get back to the business of the people.

    Independent Counsel's Investigation

        Q. Mr. Starr says it has no effect on his investigation. Is that
    your view, sir?
        The President. I don't have any comment on Mr. Starr.
        Q. Mr. President, how have these last 3 years affected the
    institution of the Presidency? Has this been a good thing for the
    Presidency?
        The President. Well, let me say, I've done my best to do what every
    President who has commented on this, from George Washington forward, has
    said the President should do, which is that for the period of your
    service, insofar as possible, you should cease to be an individual
    citizen and spend all your time and energy on the country. And that's
    what I've tried to do. And I've done my best at it, and the results have
    been satisfactory, I think, for the American people. And that's what I
    intend to continue to do. Others should evaluate that question, but I
    need to keep working on the people's business, and that's what I intend
    to do.
        Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:52 a.m. at the Le Meridien President
    Hotel. During the exchange, he referred to U.S. District Judge Susan
    Webber Wright and Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr. A tape was not
    available for verification of the content of this exchange.