    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [May 15, 1998]
    [Page 765]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 765]]

    Exchange With Reporters During Discussions With Prime Minister Tony
    Blair of the United Kingdom in Birmingham
    May 15, 1998

    Northern Ireland Peace Process

        Q. Prime Minister, have you been talking about the further--accord
    in Ireland?
        Prime Minister Blair. Obviously, we have discussed it, and I think
    that the reason why it's so important for people to understand in
    Northern Ireland that this is a way forward for the future is that it
    entrenches for the very first time the principle of consent in both the
    Constitution of the Republic of Ireland and in the agreements between
    all the parties. And I want to emphasize particularly that at the heart
    of this agreement is the belief that we only make progress if people
    give up violence for good.
        And we will make sure in the legislation that comes before our
    Parliament in order to give effect to this agreement that we make that
    commitment, very, very clearly expressed in that legislation, so that if
    people are supporting this agreement, they are supporting an end to
    violence once and for all.
        Q. Mr. President?
        President Clinton. Well, first let me say that, obviously, the
    impending vote is being watched very closely in America. Especially
    Irish-Americans, Protestant and Catholic alike, are passionately
    interested in what will happen. But we think it's clearly a decision for
    the Irish to make.
        And I would just say that, to me, as a friend from the outside, it
    appears to be the chance of a generation for peace. We will stand with
    those who stand for peace, but I want to make it equally clear that
    anyone who reverts to violence, from whatever side and whatever faction,
    will have no friends in America. We have supported this peace process.
    We applaud the Prime Minister and Prime Minister Ahern and all those who were involved in it, all the
    parties. And we intend to stand with the people who stood for peace.
    Those who do not, if there's any reversion of violence, as far as I'm
    concerned those people will have no friends in America.
        Q. Sir, why did you decide not to go to Northern Ireland or Ireland
    on this trip?
        President Clinton. Well, we consulted with the parties, but my
    instinct was, all along, that while I think we--that the people of
    Northern Ireland and the Republic know that the biggest Irish diaspora
    is in the United States, and they know that I personally care a lot
    about this. It is, after all, their future, their lives. They will have
    to live with the consequences of it.
        It's not like having Prime Minister Blair and Prime Minister
    Ahern or Mr. Major going
    up there. Northern Ireland is a part of this nation. And so, no matter
    how friendly an outsider I am, I still am an outsider. I won't have to
    live with this. And my instinct was that unless there was an
    overwhelming sense that I should go, it would be better to send my
    messages from without the country until after the vote occurs, because
    it's their decision to make.
        But I just want every single person in Northern Ireland and in the
    Irish Republic to know that we will support the peace process and the
    people who do it. And anybody who returns to violence, we will not
    befriend, because this is the chance of our lifetimes, anyway, to do
    this. And I hope it will not be squandered.
        Thank you.

    Group of Eight Summit

        Q. How was the meeting today?
        President Clinton. Very, very good, actually. We have a good leader.
    [Laughter]

    Note: The exchange began at approximately 6 p.m. at the International
    Convention Center. In his remarks, the President referred to Prime
    Minister Bertie Ahern of Ireland; and former Prime Minister John Major
    of the United Kingdom.